Peter Anderson ⚽ And so, it begins. The most controversial World Cup ever is up and running in Qatar. 

The opening game was a howler. Qatar faced Ecuador in the curtain raiser and it was shockingly poor . . .  apparently. I couldn't gather enough interest to tune in. Much like Mackers, I would love to boycott this World Cup, though I know I won't. In fact, I am writing this while the England game is on in the background! A winter World Cup, played in a country with an awful Human Rights record, which greased palms to land the tournament and has exploited migrant workers, is enough to turn any fan off watching this competition . . .  but it is the World Cup and if the footy is good then we will tune in, no matter the stench.

Before a ball was kicked there was already more controversy. Qatar banned beer from the stadiums at the last minute. Despite having 12 years to formulate an alcohol policy, Qatar waited until the last possible moment to shit the bed and give in to the religious nutcases. In one way it is a good decision to save the poor fans from having to drink over-processed American pishwater, but I'm sure the fans won't see it like that, especially as alcohol is still available inside the stadium for VIP fans. For VIP read "rich".

We also had the decision by FIFA to threaten England with a yellow card for Harry Kane if he wore the captain's rainbow armband. Qatar can't even respect football's effort to eradicate homophobia from the game, and FIFA are backing them over the English FA. Despicable! So, at the beginning of the England game we had the England team line up with Kane not wearing his proper armband. The Iranian team then decided not to sing their national anthem in solidarity with the Iranian women's protest. There is an argument that if Russia are banned from world football, then why are Iran playing? At least we saw that protest from the players which was great to see.

The game finished 6-2 to England, no shock there. England will be relieved to have got off to a good start. In tournament footy, momentum is all. England had a shocker of a Nations' League campaign, so there are reasonable concerns from the English press and pundits about their prospects in Qatar. Clearly their centre-backs are not good enough. Maguire, Stones and Dier have had a poor starts to the EPL and didn't play well in the Nations' League, but they have played well in previous tournaments. You would have to expect that the better teams will take advantage of England's weak spot, but a semi-final and a final in the last two tournaments suggest otherwise.

Personally, I will be supporting England and Wales, and hope they both get out of this tricky group. Although it would be better for the EPL if they get put out as early as possible. So, I'm off for my tea and then I'll sit down and watch Wales v the USA and see if I can muster some enthusiasm.

Peter Anderson is a Unionist with a keen interest in sports.

It Is The World Cup

Peter Anderson ⚽ And so, it begins. The most controversial World Cup ever is up and running in Qatar. 

The opening game was a howler. Qatar faced Ecuador in the curtain raiser and it was shockingly poor . . .  apparently. I couldn't gather enough interest to tune in. Much like Mackers, I would love to boycott this World Cup, though I know I won't. In fact, I am writing this while the England game is on in the background! A winter World Cup, played in a country with an awful Human Rights record, which greased palms to land the tournament and has exploited migrant workers, is enough to turn any fan off watching this competition . . .  but it is the World Cup and if the footy is good then we will tune in, no matter the stench.

Before a ball was kicked there was already more controversy. Qatar banned beer from the stadiums at the last minute. Despite having 12 years to formulate an alcohol policy, Qatar waited until the last possible moment to shit the bed and give in to the religious nutcases. In one way it is a good decision to save the poor fans from having to drink over-processed American pishwater, but I'm sure the fans won't see it like that, especially as alcohol is still available inside the stadium for VIP fans. For VIP read "rich".

We also had the decision by FIFA to threaten England with a yellow card for Harry Kane if he wore the captain's rainbow armband. Qatar can't even respect football's effort to eradicate homophobia from the game, and FIFA are backing them over the English FA. Despicable! So, at the beginning of the England game we had the England team line up with Kane not wearing his proper armband. The Iranian team then decided not to sing their national anthem in solidarity with the Iranian women's protest. There is an argument that if Russia are banned from world football, then why are Iran playing? At least we saw that protest from the players which was great to see.

The game finished 6-2 to England, no shock there. England will be relieved to have got off to a good start. In tournament footy, momentum is all. England had a shocker of a Nations' League campaign, so there are reasonable concerns from the English press and pundits about their prospects in Qatar. Clearly their centre-backs are not good enough. Maguire, Stones and Dier have had a poor starts to the EPL and didn't play well in the Nations' League, but they have played well in previous tournaments. You would have to expect that the better teams will take advantage of England's weak spot, but a semi-final and a final in the last two tournaments suggest otherwise.

Personally, I will be supporting England and Wales, and hope they both get out of this tricky group. Although it would be better for the EPL if they get put out as early as possible. So, I'm off for my tea and then I'll sit down and watch Wales v the USA and see if I can muster some enthusiasm.

Peter Anderson is a Unionist with a keen interest in sports.

7 comments:

  1. I would love to boycott this World Cup, though I know I won't.

    No will power or self discipline.....?

    A winter World Cup, played in a country with an awful Human Rights record,

    I just watched two teams and their countries have abysmal human rights records....Argentina and Saudi...........England's humans rights record is up there with France and most other countries anyone cares to name............Lets focus on the Arabs and leave the whitey's out of the equation......

    Qatar banned beer from the stadiums at the last minute.

    English lager louts can't turn up drunk or 'jib' through the turn styles like they did at wembley....And now the have to pay £12 a pint. Fcuk them..................

    We also had the decision by FIFA to threaten England with a yellow card for Harry Kane if he wore the captain's rainbow armband.

    Simply because they play with balls but have none. Now Novak Djokovic plays with balls and has some...He stood up and followed the courage of his conviction no matter the repercussions......

    Qatar can't even respect football's effort to eradicate homophobia from the game,

    When the English FA eradicate homophobia then they and everyone else can point fingers. Recently it has been reported that two players in the same EPL football team are gay but wont come out publically because they know English footy fans will hurl dogs abuse at them......Seems to me at least homophobia isn't only a Qatar problem.....

    The Iranian team then decided not to sing their national anthem in solidarity with the Iranian women's protest.

    At least they have what Harry and Gareth haven't and thats balls......

    Personally, I will be supporting England and Wales, and hope they both get out of this tricky group.

    Personally I hope England get into the final and Saka and Rasford miss their penalties in the shoot out. If only to show how racist England footy fans really are....Truth beknown I hope England lose....Wales, I'm indifferent..

    ReplyDelete
  2. Are you some kind of tory nut?.They banned beer not because of "English lager louts" but because of some religious rubbish. Have you ever attended a game?

    I am boycotting the tournament due to Qatars human rights record, akin to the 1936 Berlin Olympics, and as terrible as England and Frace's records on HR are, they are second division compared to Qatar. Notecable to see the alcohol ban came in only when all tickets were sold.

    Caoimhin O'Muraile

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think Peter made it very clear in his article that they banned alcohol in deference to religious nutters. Frankie's point was about the consequence of the ban not the cause.

      Delete
    2. Caoimhin
      Are you some kind of tory nut?

      Nope but I am an unapologetic Ardoyne Rockabilly. We have had this convo a few times. I have never put myself onto an electoral register, never voted for anyone in my life. I will vote in a OIOV and on the ballot paper it states 'tick here' if you want both the EU and Westminster to leave the island and let the Irish sort out the mess both unions have created.

      and as terrible as England and Frace's records on HR are, they are second division compared to Qatar.

      Then we must be reading the wrong history books and follow different news feeds. Check out how France gets at lot of its gold reserves today for example....As for British HR abuses, where do you want me to start????

      Have you ever attended a game?

      Loads. The first time I seen MU train was in 1978...........I was 10. First match I seen was 1989 when I moved to London, Utd played QPR in Lofus Road.

      Notecable to see the alcohol ban came in only when all tickets were sold

      Reads to me like a cunning business move. If anyone actually thought Qatar would sell booze openly on their streets must me smoking better weed than my rasta friend gets me tax free............

      Delete
  3. Couldn't agree more with you, Peter, about the Iranian players. That takes guts. Total unqualified respect to those men.

    English and Welsh cowardice just shows their posing to be the corporate pseudo responsibility pish we always knew it was.

    One more example of the establishment trying to pose as people who give a fuck, but don't really.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Caoimhin O'Muraile

    Did you boycott the World Cup in Russia too? A facist dictatorship, with no free press, propped up by oligarchs, a police state, repression of minorities and gays. I'm sure you did.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Caoimhin
    Are you some kind of tory nut?

    Nope but I am an unapologetic Ardoyne Rockabilly. We have had this convo a few times. I have never put myself onto an electoral register, never voted for anyone in my life. I will vote in a OIOV and on the ballot paper it states 'tick here' if you want both the EU and Westminster to leave the island and let the Irish sort out the mess both unions have created.

    and as terrible as England and Frace's records on HR are, they are second division compared to Qatar.

    Then we must be reading the wrong history books and follow different news feeds. Check out how France gets at lot of its gold reserves today for example....As for British HR abuses, where do you want me to start????

    Have you ever attended a game?

    Loads. The first time I seen MU train was in 1978...........I was 10. First match I seen was 1990 when I moved to London, Utd played QPR in Lofus Road.

    Notecable to see the alcohol ban came in only when all tickets were sold

    Reads to me like a cunning business move. If anyone actually thought Qatar would sell booze openly on their streets they must me smoking better weed than my rasta friend gets me tax free............

    ReplyDelete