Qatar World Cup

No, it's human. Even in the muslim world. The problem is political forces have cherry-picked parts of religious texts to deny this - just as they used to do in the west.

Qatar wants to establish itself on the world stage in sporting events - Doha has staged the Asian games and had a bid for the 2016 olympics rejected (edit - also 2020 and 2024) and it's hosted FIFA world club championships very recently. Also the World Handball Cup in 2015.

As I said earlier, it's up to FIFA (and every other world sporting body for that matter) to values it holds and what it wants espoused and whether or not equality and inclusion are amongst them. If not, fair enough. It seems a bit hypocritical to go all-out in "Kick[ing] racism out of football" but being tolerant of other forms of prejudice.

toyed with the idea of not watching it but I’m done toying with that idea…. I have absolutely zero interest now, no motivation whatsoever to watch that bent sham of a competition.

FIFA has let the sporting world down..

Platini, Blatter and now Infantini…there really is a determination within such a major, important and influential organisation that the absolute dregs of humanity end up running it… and making, encouraging and enabling decisions that fûck over the fans, the lifeblood of the sport…

It’s nothing to do with inclusivity…

Perhaps you should just focus on the European Cup?

The World Cup may not be for you.

Fcuk me. Sounds like Woodstock 99 only worse. Can't buy water in 50 degree heat. This could all kick off yet.

Although I don't feel sorry for anyone who paid to attend this shìtshow as it was obvious what it was for years.

Must have been so hard for Infintino being bullied for having red hair growing up. What a disgusting speech that was yesterday. I didn't listen to it and wouldn't ever listen to the likes of him but read it in various news outlets. I won't be tuning into much of this farce if any. The sooner it's over the better.

That's not the same whatsoever I assume you're not muslim, since most/all muslims follow Islamic/Sharia Law regardless of the country they're situated in. :S

Man I hope they riot in that fan village. Can't imagine the mind set of anyone who's actually gone over to this but they're there and they've paid big money so deserve better.

I think only a truly chaotic scenes will reel FIFAs neck in.

It is basically the West trying to force their culture on another culture. It is the new equivalent of ‘the crusades’ The difference is it is mostly done virtually. Along with empty symbolism or gestures.

Any one that knows basic Irish history knows what happens when one country forces it’s culture/values, on another land.

I did not see anyone pick up on Infantino’s point that change is a process. The West went through theirs.

What hit me with that comment was how real organic cultural change is achieved by those within a country. The majority of a populace will eventually decide what they want themselves. And how they wish to be governed.

Western countries and media screaming about how other countries should be ‘like them’. Is just a new modern form of colonialism IMO.

I'd imagine the poster would be equally as excited about this game were it being played in the US in June 2022 (had the US won the hosting bid back on Dec 2nd 2010)

People need to get off the high horse about Qatar and it's human rights etc.

Because in reality most people don't care about the rights of foreign workers in our own country, let alone the rights of Asian migrant workers in far off Qatar.

Qatar was a bad selection for plenty of other reasons other than it's human rights record.

Just glad the football will arrive today.

The only part I won't be watching/listening to is the pre and post match bullshit*.

I don't wanna hear hypocrites waffling on and on and on while creaming the big bucks from within and without Qatar.

*I'd advise that approach for watching any televised football these days.