2022 World Cup Discussion

[meltonblue]

We really are a hypocritical bunch. I have never been less interested in a world cup but the virtue signalling from the media and others makes me sick. I don't believe Quatar should have been given the world cup for purely football reasons but bloody hell, Russia had it last time and I don't remember all of the hand wringing and gnashing of teeth that has accompanied this one. Maybe we should concentrate on sorting ourselves out before trying to apply our own perfect standards on others. Lets thank our lucky stars the competition isn't being held in AD.

From the Guardian:

Qatar only managed to manoeuvre itself into this prime position by soliciting the support of powerful states that have fast-tracked its passage into polite society. It is armed to the teeth by the UK, Europe and the US, and is a joint venturer in monumental, lucrative financial and real-estate transactions on European soil. The state of Qatar is the 10th largest landowner in Britain. Since it won the right to host the World Cup, it has been granted billions of pounds of weapons sales licences, including sophisticated surveillance equipment, by Britain.

There is a special relationship with London in particular, and it can be seen in the Westminster ledger of declared gifts. In the run up to the World Cup, the value of Qatar’s gifts to British MPs was greater than the amount spent by all the other 15 countries whose governments made donations to British MPs combined. The Conservative MP David Mundell, the first openly gay Tory cabinet minister, accepted hospitality worth £7,473 from Qatar, and then, in a parliamentary debate a few months later, in response to concern raised by another MP about LGBTQ+ rights in Qatar, said that Qatar’s critics should “focus their energies on the handling of LGBT issues in professional football in the UK”.

To be fair, there was similar criticism when Russia had it.

 

[Bazzmand Show]

What an absolute load of shit. Virtue signalling at it's finest. Either boycott the tournament and don't go or just get on with it. For me there is no middle ground. If you choose to go for whatever reasons you are condoning it. Same with the media journalists and so called pundits. Don't stay in comfy hotels where slaves died whilst building them and sit in football stadiums where slaves died building them and then complain about slaves being killed whilst building them. Absolute fucking total hypocrisy.

Your argument in a nutshell.

 

[SkyBlueFlux]

I think clearly people have their opinions on Qatar and they’re pretty firmly entrenched now. There’s a lot of nuance to that discussion which some are massively oversimplifying to make a political point.

What is irritating me most though are these footballers living a life of exquisite comfort and luxury and claiming to stand for a cause then folding like a paper tiger at the mere hint of an inconvenience. There are people going hungry to strike for causes they actually believe in. Why do we just not see people of principle in football any more? I think the Iran captain coming out in support of his country’s protestors is the closest thing I’ve seen to an actual principled stance as he’s put himself at real risk by saying that. Most players would seemingly back down as soon as you threatened to take away their hair conditioner.

I sound like my dad. I knew the day would come.

 

[dublinblue12]

They should all wear them, both sides, USA too, it will make it even more farcical than it already is

 

[Blue Bogey]

The human rights abuses are the same ones levelled at our owners don’t forget.

Once this World Cup is over you will see the media ramp it up against our City owners and Newcastle and watch the fans of other clubs join the bandwagon In big numbers. There will be a massive surge because the media have got the attention they crave with this Spotlight now, so this is the time when others feel they have the right to attack our club.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Southgate is a shit manager

Based on his record for England, he's right up there with the best we've ever had - even if we go out early in Qatar.

 

[give it to gordon]

I am sick to death of this WC already.

The bollocks our press keep coming out with, it seems the bbc build yesterday was very politically I believe.

No one moans about big sporting events in Russia, America etc.

American has just recently banned abortions in some states, taking the knee comes from America, police shot non whites on a daily basis.

But these are committed by white Americans so our press/media ignore it. These Arab countries put more money into the uk than I would guess America.

But now that they have the WC it's free rain to criticism they human rights record. The figures on migration works that have died is twisted to make it sound like they are died building for the WC. This is a lie.

I am sick to death of all these people taking the high moral ground, yet happy to go there and earn big money. Not one has the power of their convictions. Not one.

We have high homelessness, foodbanks, kids living in poverty some going hungry and without a bed to sleep. Poor mentally health, nurses covered worked and underpaid.
Yet we have lots of millionaires the gap between the haves and have nots is getting bigger by the day.
This country has no right to criticise other countries

Those two twats from talksport having a photo with PSG owner, after all the shit they spout about Arab owners.

I will be so happy when the premier league starts again.

 

[Crooked_rain]

I think clearly people have their opinions on Qatar and they’re pretty firmly entrenched now. There’s a lot of nuance to that discussion which some are massively oversimplifying to make a political point.

What is irritating me most though are these footballers living a life of exquisite comfort and luxury and claiming to stand for a cause then folding like a paper tiger at the mere hint of an inconvenience. There are people going hungry to strike for causes they actually believe in. Why do we just not see people of principle in football any more? I think the Iran captain coming out in support of his country’s protestors is the closest thing I’ve seen to an actual principled stance as he’s put himself at real risk by saying that. Most players would seemingly back down as soon as you threatened to take away their hair conditioner.

I sound like my dad. I knew the day would come.

Well you’re not wrong

And that probably raises the question of how many footballers are invested in the causes, or do they just feel pressure to show that they are?

I mean Harry Kane wears his arm band, but does he really care that much about gay rights in other places? Does he sit at home and think about it? Does he dedicate any of his personal time to educating himself on such matters to campaign about?

Or is it just a given that a high profile person feels they have to or are advised to do such things?

I don’t know the man, but I’m going to guess it’s more of the latter

And that’s essentially why most people will take a backwards step when it comes down to it.

At the end of the day, they’re just lads that wanna play football, but in this day and age, you’re expected to toe the line of other causes too. I mean look at politicians, the likes of Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden did big U-Turns on their previous beliefs about gay marriage (although the media won’t show their old thoughts), simply because they have to, to win votes. Do you think they really care that much? No it’s just public image. Just like footballers have to portray an image too.

 

[SWPISHOME]

If the rumors are true that Foden doesn't start then it's poor from Southgate considering he can play in 5 different positions. I would have him in front of Sterling Saka & Mount any day off the week.

I think we all had a good idea that Southgate wouldn't play Phil Foden. The word "Crazy" springs to mind but in Southgate case it's more "Idiot".

Sterling, Saka, Mount ect wouldn't lace Foden's boots. He's an absolute coward Southgate. No doubt Slabhead will start too! Should really be John Stones and Ben White and centre back with Tripper at right back.

 

[West Yorks Owl]

I think Mason Mount has photographs of Gareth Southgate in compromising positions with labrador's