Media thread 2022/23

[KPXBLN]

Presumably he feels the same way about the World Cups in countries with much worse human rights records than Qatar like Mexico, South Africa, Brazil, Argentina and Putin's Russia. Or does he just target Arab countries? The Telegraph is a paper which is not exactly renowned for its racial tolerance.

South Africa hosted the World Cup in 2010, 16 years after the end of Apartheid, and Brazil hosted it in 2014, 29 years after the end of the military dictatorship. Not sure what you're getting at there.

 

[Metalartin]

Reports Barcelona and Arsenal want Gundogan! Who wouldn’t on a free!

I really hope we don't let him go to Arsenal after we've seen the impact Jesus and Zinny have made. Gundo understands our game far too well and that's what they seem to be trying to emulate, it would be like adding another coach for them.

 

[Metalartin]

He has made frequent appearances on Qatari-run Bein Sports over the years as well.

As well as being a sports correspondent of Al Jazeera(State Owned Qatari news broadcaster) before that I believe. Loves the Qataris Rob does, probably because they pay him well. Someone needs to ask if he took a bung from the Qataris at some point in his career.

 

[bluealf]

I have no idea what an anal intruder 3000 is, but it sounds painful.

@mat has the full range 1000, 2000, 3000 and the 3000 deluxe with extra heads.

 

[mat]

@mat has the full range 1000, 2000, 3000 and the 3000 deluxe with extra heads.

Amazing rotating fist action.

 

[bluealf]

Amazing rotating fist action.

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

South Africa hosted the World Cup in 2010, 16 years after the end of Apartheid, and Brazil hosted it in 2014, 29 years after the end of the military dictatorship. Not sure what you're getting at there.

These are the most recent reports on these countries. They were probably even worse in 2010 and 2014.

World Report 2022: Rights Trends in South Africa

www.hrw.org

Human rights in South Africa

Stay up to date on the state of human rights in South Africa with the latest research, campaigns and education material from Amnesty International.

www.amnesty.org

World Report 2022: Rights Trends in Brazil

www.hrw.org

As you can see South Africa is not quite the "Rainbow nation" paradise it likes to think it is and the police are still murdering street kids in Brazil. My point is that virtually every country which has ever hosted a World Cup has poor human rights records but I can only recall the UK media ever making a fuss over Qatar.

 

[KPXBLN]

These are the most recent reports on these countries. They were probably even worse in 2010 and 2014.

World Report 2022: Rights Trends in South Africa

www.hrw.org

Human rights in South Africa

Stay up to date on the state of human rights in South Africa with the latest research, campaigns and education material from Amnesty International.

www.amnesty.org

World Report 2022: Rights Trends in Brazil

www.hrw.org

As you can see South Africa is not quite the "Rainbow nation" paradise it likes to think it is and the police are still murdering street kids in Brazil. My point is that virtually every country which has ever hosted a World Cup has poor human rights records but I can only recall the UK media ever making a fuss over Qatar.

I don’t think anyone in SA thinks it’s a paradise, certainly not anymore. I think it’s highly debatable to claim it has a “much worse” HR record than Qatar as your original post did. I’m also not sure why as City fans anyone is interested in defending the Qatari state and absolutist monarchy to be honest, but that’s a seperate point

 

[The perfect fumble]

These are the most recent reports on these countries. They were probably even worse in 2010 and 2014.

World Report 2022: Rights Trends in South Africa

www.hrw.org

Human rights in South Africa

Stay up to date on the state of human rights in South Africa with the latest research, campaigns and education material from Amnesty International.

www.amnesty.org

World Report 2022: Rights Trends in Brazil

www.hrw.org

As you can see South Africa is not quite the "Rainbow nation" paradise it likes to think it is and the police are still murdering street kids in Brazil. My point is that virtually every country which has ever hosted a World Cup has poor human rights records but I can only recall the UK media ever making a fuss over Qatar.

You're right, things were better in the good old days....

Like Italy 1934....

And Argentina 1978...

Or Russia 2018...

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

Thanks for the info. I might hang around there with a large McDonalds milkshake in the future…

Surely a coffee?

A hot one, naturally!

 

[citizen_maine]

Surely a coffee?

A hot one, naturally!

McScalding

 

[Metalartin]

I still think the Human Freedom Index is a good indicator of regimes and how countries compare. They seem to cover everything(religion, justice system etc) and the points system seems to make sense.

https://www.cato.org/human-freedom-index/2021

In terms of the Middle East to North Africa region, Qatar and the UAE are 6th and 7th highest out of the 19 listed. In terms of global ranking, they are 128th and 131st out of 165 respectively. Turkey, Vietnam, Morocco, Pakistan are worse for human rights. They are nowhere near the likes of Saudi(155th), Iran(160th) or even China(150th), especially if you consider the points difference between some of those.

They are both pretty close to Russia(126th) in those terms, so I think we can look at the way the last world cup was handled by the media and at least ask the question, if the level of criticism and negative attention Qatar have received by the sports press is proportional or not. I think you can add the UAE to that too, since that's ongoing and more intense IMO, even though they aren't hosting any major football events. It's almost as if they have some extra motivation from somewhere... I think that's the angle City fans might be looking at it from, it's not really defending Qatar or even the UAE as such.

 

[Stephen230]

I think some journalists have dug themselves a bit of a hole with their constant snipes at City’s and more recently Newcastle’s owners.

A lot of the same recent converts to Amnesty International have been writing for decades about how we should keep politics out of sports. Many of them spent most of the 1980s crying about how wonderful South African sportsmen were being cruelly denied an international stage through no fault of their own.

I’ve read hundreds of articles over the years detailing how sport is a release from the harsh realities of life. We should enjoy it for what it is and leave the politics to the politicians.

But when they suddenly decided that it’s their job to highlight the atrocities going on in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, it’s left them with no choice but to put the spotlight on Qatar now.

 

[Trevor Morley's Tache]

McScalding

Similar to the McLava apple pie.

 

[levets]

Here’s the goal

I’ve seen top class premier league keepers do same.

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

I’ve seen top class premier league keepers do same.

Naturally. I’m sure they got their fair share of criticism.

I wonder if Peter Enckleman is out of therapy yet. ;-)

 

[levets]

I saw that. I think it might be because sponsors named grounds aren’t allowed in certain international tournaments.

Correct, particularly UEFA. Notice all the ‘Etihad’ signs covered when we play CL games.

 

[levets]

Naturally. I’m sure they got their fair share of criticism.

I wonder if Peter Enckleman is out of therapy yet. ;-)

Remember Schmeichel v Ipswich? That was a good one

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

Remember Schmeichel v Ipswich? That was a good one

Of course, but have we compared and contrasted how the media reported it? ;-)

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

As well as being a sports correspondent of Al Jazeera(State Owned Qatari news broadcaster) before that I believe. Loves the Qataris Rob does, probably because they pay him well. Someone needs to ask if he took a bung from the Qataris at some point in his career.

He's been asked a few times and refuses to answer. They don't like it up 'em Captain Mainwaring!