Gianni Infantino loses the plot (WC 2002 Edition)

[lysglimt]

Please ignore the obvious WUMs likening working conditions in the US to those of migrant workers in Qatar.

I’m actually quite glad to see Infantino go on this rant. This tirade shows he’s out of touch but how emotional and explosive it was shows that Gianni feels the pressure and is aware that vast majority of people he’ll ever meet in life will think of him as a piece of shit. Deeply hoping he gets embarrassed few times more in the upcoming weeks and I’d like to see him run for re-election at FIFA and lose it, even if it seems unlikely, with many powerful forces including the FA still likely to back him

Out of touch ? With whom ? Every single FIFA-president has been out of touch with normal decency by western-standards, but that doesn't help when they buy the votes and support of every banana-republic they can find. He will be FIFA-president in 8 years time. The only way to squeeze him out is if UEFA breaks away from FIFA and refuses to participate in the World Championships. What will happen then is that Australia, NZ, US, Canada and possibly the South-American countries will want to join the European countries - and have their own tournament, and FIFAs corrupt board and countries can have a separate world championships

 

[P-Ro]

I think he's a scored an own goal with his ginger comments. I mean, how are you going to inspire the next generation of gingers as a baldy? The message from infantino is clear: shave your disgusting ginger hair off or you'll be one of those being exploited by FIFA instead of the select few who get to profit from the opportunities arrising from exploitation.

 

[fergies coat]

What the feck do you know about me?

As about as much as you know about me. Your the one that said I was defending Qatari government when I clearly wasn't.

 

[sullydnl]

I'm not defending anyone I'm just pointing out the hypocrisy of posters like you.

You're not pointing out hypocrisy. You're accusing people of being hypocrites because they don't view and treat wildly different things in the same way. There's a difference.

 

[Abizzz]

As about as much as you know about me. Your the one that said I was defending Qatari government when I clearly wasn't.

Well that's nothing then.

On the bolded I must have misunderstood you, sorry for that.

 

[RoadTrip]

You're not pointing out hypocrisy. You're accusing people of being hypocrites because they don't view and treat wildly different things in the same way. There's a difference.

And not only that - making the assumption that they wouldn’t and don’t take issue with similar things all over the world and in their own countries, including the west.

 

[fergies coat]

You're not pointing out hypocrisy. You're accusing people of being hypocrites because they don't view and treat wildly different things in the same way. There's a difference.

I obviously don't agree with what's going on in Qatar, but I just don't see the same outrage in the USA hosting in 4 years time. Is that not hypocrisy?

 

[fergies coat]

And not only that - making the assumption that they wouldn’t and don’t take issue with similar things all over the world and in their own countries, including the west.

I can't remember another boycott the word cup thread. Has there been one in the past?

 

[lysglimt]

And the Muslim countries are well within their right to ensure their religion and belief systems come before anything. Why should they change to please the western world?

That is their right - but they should not be allowed to have a World Cup as long as they enforce their belief systems.

 

[RoadTrip]

Well that's nothing then.

On the bolded I must have misunderstood you, sorry for that.

You didn’t misunderstand him. If he can assume that we are hypocrites just because we don’t caveat every negative post about someone else with an equally negative view about the west, then by spending his time criticising explaining that because we don’t we can’t hold negative views about Qatar is defacto a defence of the government there.

 

[Abizzz]

I don’t like to be rude but the idiocy of some of the posts in this thread are just astounding. What these people fail to understand is that the very people from the west who are calling out the issues in Qatar would and do call out those issues around the world and in particular in their own countries too. So it’s not hypocrisy at all. But the difference is that at least there is a platform to do so. An opportunity, albeit not perfect, to vote. The people of Qatar and the migrant workers who are impacted by the issues there have no such platform, no such rights. So it’s particularly sickening when their plight is reduced to insignificant and unimportant because those who wish to call Qatar out are from countries with their own problems, especially when they do so on platforms which is available in those countries whilst the neglected migrants who can’t voice their concerns anywhere for a whole host of reasons whose issues are instead downplayed to try and achieve some kind of moral victory. And yet, somehow, I’m hypocritical.

Agreed. The really depressing/amusing thing is these people wouldn't even know about the (many) problems in "The West" if the west weren't fundamentally different.

 

[The Firestarter]

It's really isn't. Infact I'll go out on a limb here and say the American government has killed a lot more innocent people than the Qatari government have.

Is anyone here claiming Qatar has killed more people than the US military ?

 

[RoadTrip]

I can't remember another boycott the word cup thread. Has there been one in the past?

Firstly, I’ve pointed out why this is different to many other recent World Cup hosts. And secondly, I have no idea if such a thread has existed in this forum but there have been plenty other world cups where there have been calls to boycott them. And, even if not boycott, there has been plenty of discussion about all hosts and their domestic issues. I remember it it clearly in pretty much all recent world cups. Thirdly, you’ve again assumed we are all behind boycotting. This discussion has nothing to do with boycotting. This isn’t even that thread! We are discussing the issues in Qatar. What’s that got to do with people calling for a boycott?

 

[sullydnl]

I obviously don't agree with what's going on in Qatar, but I just don't see the same outrage in the USA hosting in 4 years time. Is that not hypocrisy?

The USA isn't Qatar. The issues in both countries aren't the same. The context of their issues aren't the same. The structures of their governments aren't the same. The severity of their different issues aren't the same. And one of them is hosting a WC in four years while the other is hosting a WC tomorrow. So no, it isn't hypocrisy for Qatar to be receiving a different level of outrage.

Treating different things differently isn't hypocrisy.

For example if the primary issues that concern you are LGBT rights or workers rights, you should be more outraged at the WC being in Qatar. Pointing to different issues or far milder versions of the same issues in other countries who aren't hosting this immediate WC and saying "why aren't you complaining about this exactly as much as you're complaining about Qatar right now?" is stupid.

 

[FerociousCorgis]

I figured this thread would be a mess but somehow has even exceeded my expectations.

 

[fergies coat]

I figured this thread would be a mess but somehow has even exceeded my expectations.

You're welcome.

 

[FerociousCorgis]

You're welcome.

I feel like it was a team effort. Lots of contenders for MOTT

 

[mu4c_20le]

Lots of plot losing here and it isnt from Gianni

 

[Suv666]

And the Muslim countries are well within their right to ensure their religion and belief systems come before anything. Why should they change to please the western world?

You can both have a belief system and a religion without imposing it onto others.

This is the reason why Middle East keeps getting away with all the shit that’s wrong.

Fellow muslims defending archaic practices, and the lack of women’s rights as nothing but an attack on their culture.

Its incredible how similar the Christian right and the Muslim right are. My middle eastern uncles would berate Trump over his attempt to try and impose Christian values on Americans and in the same breath defend Middle east and all their regressive practices.

 

[fergies coat]

I feel like it was a team effort. Lots of contenders for MOTT

Well we obviously can't have a bottle of champagne.

 

[ohhrooney]

FIFA general secretary at the time Jerome Valcke said: "Alcoholic drinks are part of the FIFA World Cup, so we're going to have them. Excuse me if I sound a bit arrogant but that's something we won't negotiate. The fact that we have the right to sell beer has to be a part of the law."

When Brazil hosted the World cup.

 

[Rhyme Animal]

You can both have a belief system and a religion without imposing it onto others.

This is the reason why Middle East keeps getting away with all the shit that’s wrong.

Fellow muslims defending archaic practices, and the lack of women’s rights as nothing but an attack on their culture.

Its incredible how similar the Christian right and the Muslim right are. My middle eastern uncles would berate Trump over his attempt to try and impose Christian values on Americans and in the same breath defend Middle east and all their regressive practices.

The notion of Trump as a Christian is hilarious.

 

[Tibs]

It's really isn't. Infact I'll go out on a limb here and say the American government has killed a lot more innocent people than the Qatari government have.

Yeah we'll ignore that fact.

 

[UweBein]

You can both have a belief system and a religion without imposing it onto others.
......

They are not doing that. They just have their own state where they make their own laws.
If the West has a problem with it, they should look at their respective FAs. If that was such a big problem for the West they could have boycotted the WC.

 

[Mr Pigeon]

They are not doing that. They just have their own state where they make their own laws.
If the West has a problem with it, they should look at their respective FAs. If that was such a big problem for the West they could have boycotted the WC.

Why should they boycott a competition they've worked hard to qualify for? Qatar have done feck all sporting wise to deserve hosting it. And it seems as "hosts" they're doing a pretty shit job of welcoming their guests.

 

[mu4c_20le]

And the Muslim countries are well within their right to ensure their religion and belief systems come before anything. Why should they change to please the western world?

You could replace Muslim countries with China, and their right to oppress their muslims, and the sentence still works.

 

[weetee]

Some people seem to think there aren't any gay Qataris existing and the state is well within its right to mind its own business.

 

[Spark]

They are not doing that. They just have their own state where they make their own laws.
If the West has a problem with it, they should look at their respective FAs. If that was such a big problem for the West they could have boycotted the WC.

Their laws are objectively barbaric, people pointing that out is totally fair enough. This is a story of severe corruption, Qatar should never have been awarded the tournament in the first place. They simply do not deserve the right to host the world cup - it’s basic sportswashing and it fails on every criteria set out by FIFA for a successful bid. Not to mention the environmental and humanitarian cost required to host this tournament (but loads has been said about that already).

However, it’s not something that can be boycotted either. We trade and are allies of Qatar, therefore our only option is to complain profusely and ensure they realise their backward and oppressive state isn’t the paradise they try to portray it as.

 

[Cloud7]

I figured this thread would be a mess but somehow has even exceeded my expectations.

It's amazing. This WC has brought out some of the worst takes I have ever seen on anything, anywhere.

 

[FerociousCorgis]

It's amazing. This WC has brought out some of the worst takes I have ever seen on anything, anywhere.

And zero of it is footy related.

 

[Wing Attack Plan R]

Oh, the humanity!

 

[Iker Quesadillas]

I find it very hard to believe any of the people saying "it's xenophobia to complain about Qatar" believe this argument could be persuasive to anyone.

 

[Rightnr]

It's really isn't. Infact I'll go out on a limb here and say the American government has killed a lot more innocent people than the Qatari government have.

You're not convincing anyone who's got an ounce of common sense

 

[sullydnl]

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[Cascarino]

Who decided that only the Western morals are right and everyone else has to play along to that? Who granted the west a monopoly on morality? What if the Qatari life is the correct one? Why don't more newspapers criticise the Western nations for not being more like Qatar?

I stand with Infantinho.

I think people just love to complain to be honest. Some of the stuff are legitimate points to raise but it comes across as xenophobia, just looking at another culture and complaining because they're not us, or not doing things the way we want.

Acceptance and empathy is the better path.

Acceptance and empathy, except of course the LGBT community, and exploited migrant workers.

I don’t like to be rude but the idiocy of some of the posts in this thread are just astounding. What these people fail to understand is that the very people from the west who are calling out the issues in Qatar would and do call out those issues around the world and in particular in their own countries too. So it’s not hypocrisy at all. But the difference is that at least there is a platform to do so. An opportunity, albeit not perfect, to vote. The people of Qatar and the migrant workers who are impacted by the issues there have no such platform, no such rights. So it’s particularly sickening when their plight is reduced to insignificant and unimportant because those who wish to call Qatar out are from countries with their own problems, especially when they do so on platforms which is available in those countries whilst the neglected migrants who can’t voice their concerns anywhere for a whole host of reasons whose issues are instead downplayed to try and achieve some kind of moral victory. And yet, somehow, I’m hypocritical.

A lot of the time it's not idiocy. As I said earlier with many of them it's because they have no problem with the issues being raised. They use the hypocrisy angle as a thin veneer of justification, because they're at least aware enough to know that stating outright they see nothing wrong with the issues facing criticism wouldn't go down well. With regards to the LGBT part of the conversation, many of them don't just see no issue with the discrimination but wholeheartedly support it. In the thread discussing governmental advice to gay people travelling to Qatar, one poster mentioned hoping that some people would go against the advice so they'd learn a lesson. It's why there's been so much conflating of homophobia with "culture"

 

[Calidad]

Any group of people who can prove irreparable economic damage by an existing entity deserves reparations. Bringing up all these random examples doesn't really matter. If they can prove it and the entity still exists they should get their reparations.

Right. Pretty much every part of the world then. That’ll be massively productive.

 

[mikeyt]

Each team should boycott on the eve of the tournament. FIFA are a joke and this World Cup proves that nothing has prestige anymore, everything is simply about money. Not that we didn't know that already.

 

[alexthelion]

No, nothing should ever get better. Lessons should never be learned because learning is hypocrisy. A bit ironic that Europeans are like "killing people is bad" when they literally used to be cavemen.

Really? FFS!

 

[phelans shorts]

No, nothing should ever get better. Lessons should never be learned because learning is hypocrisy. A bit ironic that Europeans are like "killing people is bad" when they literally used to be cavemen.

Rumour has it that they pushed the Neanderthal to extinction. Where are the reparations?

 

[Mike Smalling]

Each team should boycott on the eve of the tournament. FIFA are a joke and this World Cup proves that nothing has prestige anymore, everything is simply about money. Not that we didn't know that already.

I would love to see that happen. It never will, but it would be great statement against FIFA and Qatar. One can dream, though.