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You should definitely all read Squires today on 09:15 - Nov 9 by ElderGrizzly
The problem is, this is standard practice for places like UAE, Saudi, Qatar etc and all those who rely on migratory labour in the region.
And the west has turned a blind eye to it for years as it suited them. Only now, when the PR angle has changed, has there been this outcry.
Almost as though Qatar didn't realise just what a spotlight the world cup might be on how a country behaves. With Russia who don't have a great human rights track record they did at least have a history of football in their country so knew what the world cup meant.
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You should definitely all read Squires today on 09:26 - Nov 9 with 2643 views
You should definitely all read Squires today on 09:15 - Nov 9 by ElderGrizzly
The problem is, this is standard practice for places like UAE, Saudi, Qatar etc and all those who rely on migratory labour in the region.
And the west has turned a blind eye to it for years as it suited them. Only now, when the PR angle has changed, has there been this outcry.
Indeed.
I think as soon as FIFA somehow decided that it was the Middle East’s turn to host a World Cup then it was always going to be bad. In many ways, Qatar is a better choice than the UK’s actual strategic partners in the region, Saudi Arabia and Israel, but it was never going to be appropriate for a World Cup in 2022.
I know that there aren’t many values remaining in football or indeed entertainment, but Qatar should have been beyond the pale.
Pronouns: He/Him
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You should definitely all read Squires today on 09:58 - Nov 9 with 2520 views
You should definitely all read Squires today on 09:11 - Nov 9 by Guthrum
One wonders if the Quataris are thinking their bid for an easy PR win by hosting the World Cup is not going quite as planned?
Credit to sections of the Western media - they've dug their heels in and completely refused to drop it with regards to highlighting the dreadfulness of the whole situation.
We've seen before in some cases where the issues going into a sporting event have been forgotten about once the actual sport gets underway and there's a risk this happens here (specifically from a spectator's point of view) but hopefully it's too nakedly awful for a repeat (all eyes on the Saudi Arabia bid for 2030).
Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand.
You should definitely all read Squires today on 09:20 - Nov 9 by vilanovablue
Almost as though Qatar didn't realise just what a spotlight the world cup might be on how a country behaves. With Russia who don't have a great human rights track record they did at least have a history of football in their country so knew what the world cup meant.
I'm /almost/ starting to think that holding the world cup in Qatar might be a /good/ thing, but not for the sportswashing reasons that the regime anticipated.
It will be interesting to see how things play out in terms of boycotts, protests, comments by the likes of Gary Neville on whom there is rightly now considerable pressure, and also whether there are stories of oppressiveness in respect of alcohol consumption and LGBT+ fans.
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You should definitely all read Squires today on 10:14 - Nov 9 with 2421 views
You should definitely all read Squires today on 09:58 - Nov 9 by LankHenners
Credit to sections of the Western media - they've dug their heels in and completely refused to drop it with regards to highlighting the dreadfulness of the whole situation.
We've seen before in some cases where the issues going into a sporting event have been forgotten about once the actual sport gets underway and there's a risk this happens here (specifically from a spectator's point of view) but hopefully it's too nakedly awful for a repeat (all eyes on the Saudi Arabia bid for 2030).
I suppose that the difference between sportswashing on this scale and creating a megaclub is that it negates the partisanship that defends sportswashing if it is their club, witness the angry comments of Man City or Newcastle fans when anyone dares to suggest that their ill-gotten wealth may not be entirely worth it.
I do wonder whether the fan backlash against this World Cup would be quite the same were it being held in the European Summer in a country without the extreme temperatures. I suspect it would be there but less so. Not that this is a new phenomenon, the 1978 Wold Cup in Argentina served largely to prop up a fascist government.
You should definitely all read Squires today on 10:14 - Nov 9 by Steve_M
I suppose that the difference between sportswashing on this scale and creating a megaclub is that it negates the partisanship that defends sportswashing if it is their club, witness the angry comments of Man City or Newcastle fans when anyone dares to suggest that their ill-gotten wealth may not be entirely worth it.
I do wonder whether the fan backlash against this World Cup would be quite the same were it being held in the European Summer in a country without the extreme temperatures. I suspect it would be there but less so. Not that this is a new phenomenon, the 1978 Wold Cup in Argentina served largely to prop up a fascist government.
Yes I think that's true - whilst it isn't the fans who choose who owns their club they don't have to bend over backwards to turn black into white every time someone mentions the spilt blood that their owners' fortunes are built on.
Maybe, obviously the disruption to the domestic leagues adds an easy angle of attack closer to home but I have a concern that, particularly if England progress fairly deep, the narrative will shift and we'll start to see a lot of 'imagine boycotting and missing out on this 😂😂😂' type of stuff.
Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand.
You should definitely all read Squires today on 09:11 - Nov 9 by Guthrum
One wonders if the Quataris are thinking their bid for an easy PR win by hosting the World Cup is not going quite as planned?
This was always such a big mistake by all parties
It was too corrupt for FIFA to justify, but he was unable to control his Exec Committee by this point - he knew it would bring him and FIFA down but those below him couldn't see past the short term money
For the Qataris, Sports washing works when you are spending your money elsewhere, or paying lots of people to come for very short term events like a golf tournament or a Grand Prix, when you can lavish them and send them home afterwards
But when you shine the biggest light on yourself, for what is a 12 year period, when you bring FIFA down, when you screw up domestic football for UEFA, when you upset everyone and then have to accomodate more people than you can do for weeks on end for a tournament then you are affecting too many people who aren't direct beneficiaries of your hospitality/bribes and people won't turn a blind eye to it
You should definitely all read Squires today on 10:32 - Nov 9 by LankHenners
Yes I think that's true - whilst it isn't the fans who choose who owns their club they don't have to bend over backwards to turn black into white every time someone mentions the spilt blood that their owners' fortunes are built on.
Maybe, obviously the disruption to the domestic leagues adds an easy angle of attack closer to home but I have a concern that, particularly if England progress fairly deep, the narrative will shift and we'll start to see a lot of 'imagine boycotting and missing out on this 😂😂😂' type of stuff.
"the narrative will shift and we'll start to see a lot of 'imagine boycotting and missing out on this 😂😂😂' type of stuff."
Yes, it's quite possible but, I do think that the objections to this tournament have been widespread and prolonged enough for all but the most obtuse of fans and journalists to recognise them. It should also be possible to enjoy bits of the football whilst hating the whole thing (a bit like with the Hundred which has seen some good cricket but is an abomination of a tournament for different reasons).
You should definitely all read Squires today on 11:39 - Nov 9 by Illinoisblue
Perhaps when he’s done exploring the wonderful spice markets of Qatar, David Beckham could have someone read the cartoon to him.
[Post edited 9 Nov 2022 12:09]
Surely Beckham has at least one advisor who could spot the problems he was heading towards or does the swag he received trump all else? I'm always bewildered ho an already super rich man continues to chase more and more and more. Will be very interesting to witness the national celebrations if England were to win and how the media will all forget what has gone on in the 'host' nation for the last few decades (at a minimum).
bluescouser
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I sat next to Beckham on a flight.... on 15:48 - Nov 9 with 1809 views
You should definitely all read Squires today on 11:39 - Nov 9 by Illinoisblue
Perhaps when he’s done exploring the wonderful spice markets of Qatar, David Beckham could have someone read the cartoon to him.
[Post edited 9 Nov 2022 12:09]
....many years ago and I can safely confirm that he is as thick as pig crap, whilst this is by no means an excuse it does make his apparent lack of awareness and desire to chase the money slightly more understandable.
The same can't be said for that helmet Neville though, as someone who spends all day everyday telling the world what an amazing "man of the people" he is, him taking the cash in Qatar is sickening.
Watching him get ripped apart by Hislop of HIGNFY last week was beautiful.
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