Qatar World Cup

[Yorick]

Hmm. Politics and shite might overshadow the football

[Yambo]

The beer ban is a definite line in the (desert) sand. Normally FIFA run the show, but the Qataris are saying 'our country, our rules'.

The economics are quite simple.

Qatar has enough cash to buy FIFA and get the competition but FIFA do not have enough cash to tell Qatar what will and will not happen during the competition.

[Yorick]

The beer ban is a definite line in the (desert) sand. Normally FIFA run the show, but the Qataris are saying 'our country, our rules'.

The economics are quite simple.

Qatar has enough cash to buy FIFA and get the competition but FIFA do not have enough cash to tell Qatar what will and will not happen during the competition.

But, F1 and MotoGP go there. They can't go shitting on some folk, in case other folk get upset.

Money doesn't always win....

[DefTrap]

At least if there does turn out to be trouble at a dry world cup, then the media and haters are going to have to come up with another excuse.

They won't though because hooligans get pissed somewhere else before the game has even started, I think they can still do that in Qatar? Loads of proper fanatics 'go to games' where they have zero chance of getting a ticket even, just for the chance to be nearby. So not being able to buy an overpriced Budweiser in a stadium is a bit of a non issue. It's just nonsense media fodder.

[DefTrap]

True but it seems rather unfair that football, and everyone who watches, plays for, commentated on, sponsors etc etc etc by association is responsible for hooliganism and qatari shithousery.

[Yorick]

This is worth reading to the end. Two sides to a story maybe?

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63687412

[Yorick]

If Argentina make the final and Messi plays in each game, the final would be his 1000th Pro match

[irie]

This is worth reading to the end. Two sides to a story maybe?

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63687412

Switzerland-born Infantino said that European nations should apologise for acts committed in their own histories, rather than focussing on migrant workers' issues in Qatar.

Ah yes, that good old get out of jail free chestnut.

[Mussels]

Must admit I'm a bit confused by it all. At first I thought the ire was directed at hypocrite footballers who have misplaced their Champagne socialist ideals. Now the Guardian seems desperate to point the finger elsewhere, it's a very weak argument so what is their aim?

[Yambo]

Qatari goalkeeper happy that they only had to play one match!

[Yorick]

If England are shit, I can cheer for Spain

[Felix]

Ref has enough of Harry Kane's whining

[Bigjawa]

Qatari goalkeeper happy that they only had to play one match!

There's people who'd pay good money for that....

[Count Steer]

Ref has enough of Harry Kane's whining

I see they're not planning on running out of sticks, lathi or whatever you call them.

[mangocrazy]

Qatar5Ecuador0.jpg (104.9 KiB) Viewed 472 times

Ecuador Players taking a bath after losing the opening World Cup match 5-0 to Qatar

[DefTrap]

Not wearing the armbands then, because of the threat of bookings https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63699477 although potentially team captains can still use post match interviews to make their point.

Presumably they are still doing the taking the knee thing? I smell a touch of hypocrisy from FIFA but that's not really News is it?

[weeksy]

Still a little disapointed in the players that they didn't just say "fuck you" and not bother going. It's slightly unlrealistic of course... but i really wish they had.

[Yorick]

Whilst I agree with the sentiments, politics should have no place in sport.

[Trinity765]

The office is like the Mary Celeste today

[DefTrap]

Still a little disapointed in the players that they didn't just say "fuck you" and not bother going. It's slightly unlrealistic of course... but i really wish they had.

This year's WC has the biggest downer on it than any that I can recall (since the 70s then), and I think everyone agrees that having it midseason is a proper pain in the arse.

If a significant number of the dominant nations (most of the high-seeded ones) did it (said 'fvck you!"), it has some merit.

Pros
There'd be less impact on club football
Kicks FIFA in the teeth
Tells Qatar, and other potential suitors, that although the WC is certainly for sale, there are limits
One of the lesser seeds has a chance of winning it
The media destruction of Harry Maguire won't happen (not this time anyway)

Cons
24/7 whining for the next few weeks about who's-disrespected-who godawful nonsense
Piers Morgan finds a higher horse
What if this was England's year? (it's not England's year)