World Cup - watch it or snub it?

[Mr Dee]

Already watch enough sideways passing at Pompey games

[Betelgeuse]

Wouldn't it be great if the England team were to line up and then, just as the Iranian anthem starts up, walk off the pitch and refuse to play.

Never been so uninterested in a World Cup.

Iranians have been staying silent at their own National Anthem, and the top league clubs have refused to celebrate goals as a form of protest.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63588927

Whether that transfers to the World Cup remains to be seen.

I hope so. That regime belongs in the middle ages. I support the Iranian players who show strength against it.

[pompeygunner]

Did we protest when the World Cup was held in Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Chile or Argentina. You could make a case against all of these regimes for some reason or another. As for the "Land of the Free" (provided you are not Native American, Hispanic or African American), we turn a blind eye to them!

Just concentrate on the football and leave politics out of it!

+1

I do understand the points made about the corruption, that plus Qatar's record on human rights.
But its the WC, nothing anyone will do now will stop it. I intend to watch it & enjoy it. In a generally joyless year I just think we owe it to ourselves to get some enjoyment when it rears its head.

[NSRailings]

Did we protest when the World Cup was held in Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Chile or Argentina. You could make a case against all of these regimes for some reason or another. As for the "Land of the Free" (provided you are not Native American, Hispanic or African American), we turn a blind eye to them!

Just concentrate on the football and leave politics out of it!

+1

I do understand the points made about the corruption, that plus Qatar's record on human rights.
But its the WC, nothing anyone will do now will stop it. I intend to watch it & enjoy it. In a generally joyless year I just think we owe it to ourselves to get some enjoyment when it rears its head.

In that case you don't understand the points made at all. A dark ages country. It should'nt have ever been held there.

[pompeygunner]

Did we protest when the World Cup was held in Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Chile or Argentina. You could make a case against all of these regimes for some reason or another. As for the "Land of the Free" (provided you are not Native American, Hispanic or African American), we turn a blind eye to them!

Just concentrate on the football and leave politics out of it!

+1

I do understand the points made about the corruption, that plus Qatar's record on human rights.
But its the WC, nothing anyone will do now will stop it. I intend to watch it & enjoy it. In a generally joyless year I just think we owe it to ourselves to get some enjoyment when it rears its head.

In that case you don't understand the points made at all. A dark ages country. It should'nt have ever been held there.

Yes I do understand all the points raised actually, stop trying to double guess my response & re read my post.

[BlueinPLtwenty]

Did we protest when the World Cup was held in Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Chile or Argentina. You could make a case against all of these regimes for some reason or another. As for the "Land of the Free" (provided you are not Native American, Hispanic or African American), we turn a blind eye to them!

Just concentrate on the football and leave politics out of it!

+1

I do understand the points made about the corruption, that plus Qatar's record on human rights.
But its the WC, nothing anyone will do now will stop it. I intend to watch it & enjoy it. In a generally joyless year I just think we owe it to ourselves to get some enjoyment when it rears its head.

In that case you don't understand the points made at all. A dark ages country. It should'nt have ever been held there.

Yes I do understand all the points raised actually, stop trying to double guess my response & re read my post.

[Pompey55]

Latest is that they will ban sales of alcohol at stadia really annoying Budweiser it seems
Thus plus the apparent blocking of some media shoots would appear to me to be premeditated as once all the teams have arrived it’s to late to move it
I would be very wary if I was going as if they are now moving the goalposts to such a degree their promises regarding acceptable fan behavior are worth nothing guess the Foreign Office could be busy
Anyway if I’ve nothing better to due might watch England games but not going to make any real effort

[Weybridge]

Latest is that they will ban sales of alcohol at stadia really annoying Budweiser it seems
Thus plus the apparent blocking of some media shoots would appear to me to be premeditated as once all the teams have arrived it’s to late to move it
I would be very wary if I was going as if they are now moving the goalposts to such a degree their promises regarding acceptable fan behavior are worth nothing guess the Foreign Office could be busy
Anyway if I’ve nothing better to due might watch England games but not going to make any real effort

I agree - does sound a bit premeditated. Or - they're watching what's happening in Iran and getting worried. The World Cup is effectively lifting social and civil restrictions for the next few weeks (at least under the watchful eye of the global media), before the boot comes crashing down again. Are the people going to accept that after a brief taste of 'freedom', for want of a better word?

The Danish media shoot I felt was a bit 50/50 - as it was on private land, ie a shopping centre. Even in the US or UK, you can't openly shoot in those circumstances without prior consent. Public land, different matter.

Of course, the beer ban might be a result of the Qatari officials tasting Budweiser for the first time, just to see what the fuss is all about. And now they’re actually doing everyone a favour…

[eltorrro]

Actually, have you got it wrong?
As I understand it, it’s FIFA that have created the ban (within certain stadiums/areas) albeit they have capitulated to the Qatari royal family who ‘requested’ the ban. I do however, believe that would have been a premeditated action by the Qataris and yet another reason why, even at this late stage, FIFA should cancel/abandon this World Cup.

[Rjk66]

This is about the football, driven by money and greed, so logical thinking goes out the window. There are many nations around the world where unhealthy things and practices go on, but the world highlights the World Cup right now. Will the next host be looked at in the same manner? Look at what goes on in the Uk, are we perfect?? The football will win and no one is going to stop it, so you may as well watch and try to enjoy it, even after England crash out!

[Dinksy]

By watching it, we are endorsing corruption.
It doesn't make it all right but I hope that this Mafia state get crushed by the Netherlands and humiliated on the pitch but I wouldn't be a bit surprised if they try to pay off the ref and maybe some of the Dutch players in advance to mitigate the result. As long as their buddy Infantino gets his cut, FIFA are not going to do anything.