Boycott The Qatar World Cup?

[MDFC Manager]

Well I said migrant workers who were only making £1 an hour mate, between that and the context of this discussion I thought it was clear I was talking about migrant workers on the lower end of the Qatari pay scale.

Alright, that's not unfair. I think the person being interviewed wasn't a construction worker.

I'm aware, most of them will be on similarly low wages though.

This is just plain wrong though.

 

[desertegil]

The company that had paid to be the only advertiser on Norwegian TV for the World Cup has pulled its advertising and given all its slots for free to human rights organization Amnesty.

 

[The Firestarter]

I love using buzzwords, seems to trigger reactions on here.

Got any more of them buzzers?

 

[Red Stone]

I'm not watching at all. I might find an online clip of a great goal if I hear it's a banger, otherwise I'll just be checking results. Don't want to see any of the whitewashed facade of Qatar that will be presented. My limit for watching will be just the players on the grass for short snippets through channels not hosted by or affiliated with FIFA. The only reason to watch is that it's the World Cup, which is still a special event, but the way it was awarded to Qatar, the many problems with Qatar as a country, the conditions the workers that have built the stadiums had to endure, the fact that it's played in the middle of the club season and what looks like a very heavily controlled environment for journalists during the event heavily outweigh that one reason. It'll be impossible to watch and fully enjoy, so boycotting will be as easy as boycotting a World Cup will ever be.

I hope this turns into a huge failure for Qatar, and that there are multiple protests live on air. Seeing teams protest with rainbow-coloured crests and less visible brands on their kit is great, but I hope something bigger gets pulled out at some point.

 

[MackRobinson]

I'll be watching. The last WC for Messi and the England/USA group should be interesting.

 

[stevoc]

Alright, that's not unfair. I think the person being interviewed wasn't a construction worker.

Ok, I didn't see the interview.

This is just plain wrong though.

Is it? So how many of the 2.1 million migrant workers working in Qatar are top bracket earners and how many are earning minimum wage?

 

[Champ]

Once a ball is kicked all this talk will faze out. It’s human nature. I won’t go into the politics of it before I get banned for not following group think. But the football will win most over eventually. Seeing the team arrive in Qatar is already bringing excitement.

Whilst there's probably an element of truth to this, alot of this happening depends on how journalists are treated.

So far they seem to be willing to go against the grain and paint the hosts in a poor light, we also have images of journalists being treated poorly, which isn't going to help spread a harmonious 'football conquers all' message.

Not many people I know have been particularly excited by their team arriving for the world cup, also the amount of adverts, plastic junk littering supermarkets and general hype seems to be so small in comparison to a summer world cup.

 

[KikiDaKats]

If it’s not corruption or migrant workers, it’s LGBT.
Do people not realise these same issues are everywhere in the world. Being the loudest person in the room doesn’t make you the honest one.
It was crimes and poverty when South Africa hosted it. The trend continues. If it’s not hosted by the usual suspects it not worthy. No bigger corruption in my opinion and agenda driven drivel. Every time a none historic football nation host the WC we go through the same nonsense.

 

[Sky1981]

I'm not watching at all. I might find an online clip of a great goal if I hear it's a banger, otherwise I'll just be checking results. Don't want to see any of the whitewashed facade of Qatar that will be presented. My limit for watching will be just the players on the grass for short snippets through channels not hosted by or affiliated with FIFA. The only reason to watch is that it's the World Cup, which is still a special event, but the way it was awarded to Qatar, the many problems with Qatar as a country, the conditions the workers that have built the stadiums had to endure, the fact that it's played in the middle of the club season and what looks like a very heavily controlled environment for journalists during the event heavily outweigh that one reason. It'll be impossible to watch and fully enjoy, so boycotting will be as easy as boycotting a World Cup will ever be.

I hope this turns into a huge failure for Qatar, and that there are multiple protests live on air. Seeing teams protest with rainbow-coloured crests and less visible brands on their kit is great, but I hope something bigger gets pulled out at some point.

You can protest your national team to boycott it.

It's only football

 

[B20]

If it’s not corruption or migrant workers, it’s LGBT.
Do people not realise these same issues are everywhere in the world. Being the loudest person in the room doesn’t make you the honest one.
It was crimes and poverty when South Africa hosted it. The trend continues. If it’s not hosted by the usual suspects it not worthy. No bigger corruption in my opinion and agenda driven drivel. Every time a none historic football nation host the WC we go through the same nonsense.

Crime and poverty weren't government enforced in South Africa.

If you genuinely think all countries are basically the same, ask yourself if you mind who won WWII or if Ukraine would be just as well off under Russian rule.

Basically, just try for a moment to look beyond the tip of your own nose.

 

[Abizzz]

If it’s not corruption or migrant workers, it’s LGBT.
Do people not realise these same issues are everywhere in the world. Being the loudest person in the room doesn’t make you the honest one.
It was crimes and poverty when South Africa hosted it. The trend continues. If it’s not hosted by the usual suspects it not worthy. No bigger corruption in my opinion and agenda driven drivel. Every time a none historic football nation host the WC we go through the same nonsense.

In my memory SA was welcomed by the vast majority. Japan & Korea too.

 

[sullydnl]

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

Bleurgh.

 

[TheGame]

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

Bleurgh.

Not of beer though.

 

[Barthez]

Gets worse and worse! No beer!!!

 

[Ahmer Baig]

Everyone crying about this world cup should simply boycott it. Hypocrisy at its best. Every country has its own custom and traditions and the West should not impose its belief and rules on others.

 

[stevoc]

Gets worse and worse! No beer!!!

Not surprised. What's the thinking behind this U-Turn on alcohol sales?

I imagine that's going to cause problems with sponsors for FIFA.

 

[Abizzz]

Everyone crying about this world cup should simply boycott it. Hypocrisy at its best. Every country has its own custom and traditions and the West should not impose its belief and rules on others.

Nah i'm boycotting and shitmouthing it. They can't stop me, it's part of my culture to speak my mind and it's perfectly fine where i'm at. Live with it.

 

[sullydnl]

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

 

[ElBarto]

Not surprised. What's the thinking behind this U-Turn on alcohol sales?

I imagine that's going to cause problems with sponsors for FIFA.

My guess is the thinking is some Qatari has thought "who are these MFs to try and impose on us and infringe our values? Get it together lads"

Sad times when people are unable to enjoy themselves nor socialise without getting sh*tfaced.

Probably explains some of the weird takes people have on matches, perhaps watching a game whilst lucid will make one aware of what is actually happening.

And don't get me started on the fans at OT who run off at 40mins and then come back at 55mins so they can have a few bevvies, wasted tickets.

 

[Sunny Jim]

Ive just read Qatar bribed Equador NT to lose the opening game 1:0. I wont Watch it…

 

[calodo2003]

Won't someone think of the human rights of Qatar?

 

[diarm]

Not surprised. What's the thinking behind this U-Turn on alcohol sales?

I imagine that's going to cause problems with sponsors for FIFA.

I wouldn't say it's a U-Turn for the Qataris, I'd imagine this has been the plan all along.

They wouldn't want to confirm it too early because they wouldn't want to dissuade people from buying tickets and travelling. By leaving it to the last minute, they get their way when it's too late/expensive for people to react.

 

[Drawfull]

Beer officially banned outside stadia. Utter farce.

 

[calodo2003]

Beer officially banned outside stadia. Utter farce.

On the stadium grounds or just in the infrastructure itself?

 

[Sky1981]

Ive just read Qatar bribed Equador NT to lose the opening game 1:0. I wont Watch it…

I'd run to the nearest betting center if i were you

 

[Drawfull]

Delineated grounds or just in the infrastructure itself?

I read it on the Guardian's build up, a tweet from FIFA. You can still buy in fan zones and other fan areas, but I don't know where they begin and the stadia end.

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

 

[Morpheus 7]

This is going to be an absolute shit show.

 

[McGrathsipan]

Shower of cnuts

 

[stevoc]

My guess is the thinking is some Qatari has thought "who are these MFs to try and impose on us and infringe our values? Get it together lads"

Sad times when people are unable to enjoy themselves nor socialise without getting sh*tfaced.

Probably explains some of the weird takes people have on matches, perhaps watching a game whilst lucid will make one aware of what is actually happening.

And don't get me started on the fans at OT who run off at 40mins and then come back at 55mins so they can have a few bevvies, wasted tickets.

You'd hope there's a better reason than that. Qatar agreed to this years ago, FIFA lined up alcohol sponsors Etc. To then go back on their word 48 hours before kick-off is a very bad look for Qatar. And a bit ominous as to how tolerant Qatar will actually be while hosting this tournament.

 

[ElBarto]

I read it on the Guardian's build up, a tweet from FIFA. You can still buy in fan zones and other fan areas, but I don't know where they begin and the stadia end.

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

Lovely, maybe families can enjoy the games and atmosphere in a safe environment

 

[diarm]

Following discussion between host country authorities and FIFA, a decision has been made to refocus the number of goals scored by host nation Qatar during their games with Ecuador, Senegal and the Netherlands.

There is no impact on the number of corners or offsides awarded during these games which will remain as previously recorded.

Host country authorities and FIFA will continue to ensure that matches are conducted in an enjoyable, honest and pleasant manner to be enjoyed by all fans.

The tournament organisers appreciate the understanding of the other Group A members and their continued support to our joint commitment to cater for everyone during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

 

[calodo2003]

Lovely, maybe families can enjoy the games and atmosphere in a safe environment

Yep, that has to be the overriding concern.

 

[moses]

Once a ball is kicked all this talk will faze out. It’s human nature. I won’t go into the politics of it before I get banned for not following group think. But the football will win most over eventually. Seeing the team arrive in Qatar is already bringing excitement.

This style of posting adds nothing to the discussion.

 

[stevoc]

I wouldn't say it's a U-Turn for the Qataris, I'd imagine this has been the plan all along.

They wouldn't want to confirm it too early because they wouldn't want to dissuade people from buying tickets and travelling. By leaving it to the last minute, they get their way when it's too late/expensive for people to react.

I mean given this is the country that made a bid to host the World Cup in the desert in the summer but then immediately said that wasn't possible once they were awarded it, it wouldn't surprise me. But whether it was planned or a late stage U-Turn, it's a very bad look for Qatar to go back on their word at this late stage. I wonder what else they agreed to will suddenly change during the tournament.

 

[Andersonson]

I dont have a problem with beer not being allowed in stadiums. I dont think it should be allowed in England either. Alcohol were kids are present isnt a good fit.

 

[shaky]

I mean given this is the country that made a bid to host the World Cup in the desert in the summer but then immediately said that wasn't possible once they were awarded it, it wouldn't surprise me. But whether it was planned or a late stage U-Turn, it's a very bad look for Qatar to go back on their word at this late stage. I wonder what else they agreed to will suddenly change during the tournament.

That's the big worry isn't it. If they have reneged on an agreement to allow alcohol, are they going to suddenly have a change of heart in accepting gay fans in the country too? What an absolute shitshow, and one that most people saw coming a mile off.

 

[VorZakone]

Man, what a shitshow this WC is. The mood has been completely dampened. I know there is the argument to be made that once the footy starts all will be forgotten but I'm not convinced. The atmosphere simply won't be the same.

 

[Stactix]

Will still be sold in corporate areas of the stadiums though.. of course.

 

[Red Star One]

Will still be sold in corporate areas of the stadiums though.. of course.

"included in package"

 

[lefty_jakobz]

Bud Zero still allowed at the stadium.