Was Cleverly correct?

[Leicesterbaggie]

Was James Cleverly correct in stating that, as visitors to Qatar, they should respect the traditions and rules of that country even if they are not in line with those of the West. There are quite a few countries who don't look kindly on heteros exual couples showing affection in public and while I don't agree with their treatment of gay people or their record on human rights, perhaps he has a point and gay visitors should refrain from holding hands etc. in public.

[Titchfieldbaggie]

Probably. The mistake was giving them the World Cup in the first place. The rest is just a circus. Corruption at the highest level.

[Dubbag]

Probably. The mistake was giving them the World Cup in the first place. The rest is just a circus. Corruption at the highest level.

This is a very accurate post.

[Leicesterbaggie]

Probably. The mistake was giving them the World Cup in the first place. The rest is just a circus. Corruption at the highest level.

I agree with you. I was just making a point regarding Cleverly's comments.

[mickd1961]

As usual we get on our high horse having started wearing rainbow laces and with our policemen holding hands and kissing blokes who look like John Inman and Freddie Mercury on Gay Pride days.

The same police who were just as likely to beat up two blokes holding hands 25 years ago.

We should respect other countries and their laws and religious beliefs if we wish to travel there and understand that they are probably five decades behind us in terms of acceptance of men sticking their willies up other men’s bottoms!

Rome wasn’t built in a day and with help and persuasion and more modern thinking in a more open and worldly society then I’m sure that by 2050-2070 they too will have policemen dancing in the streets with leather clad men with handlebar moustaches.

[Omegstrat6]

No

Cleverly is a politician and money and realpolitik will always trump moral convictions but I am a firm believer that few things should not be open to challenges-especially cultures/regimes that impact upon the rights and freedoms of others whether that be against women, gays, those of another colour or religion or those of a different political persuasion and freedom of speech.

In the UK, for example, I agree with the laws around discrimination against "protected characteristics" where it concerns intrinsic things such as age, skin colour, ***ual orientation or physical/mental disability but am far less convinced about the Act covering religion. Religion is like politics-a belief-and should therefore be open to critique. It's one thing taking your shoes off as a mark of respect in a mosque for example but quite another in accepting extreme religious cultures with prejudices against women or gays for example.

Bottom line, if the FA or UEFA was that concerned the competition would not be played there in the first place -but it does not make that decision the right one.

[wbaliquidator]

Corruption in sport is rife when it comes to large events, Entanglement with large sports brands etc
Honestly, would not surprise me if one day Saudi Arabia got to host the Winter Olympics!!
As for behaviour in other countries you have to obey their laws. Point is just don’t go.

[Dubbag]

Corruption in sport is rife when it comes to large events, Entanglement with large sports brands etc
Honestly, would not surprise me if one day Saudi Arabia got to host the Winter Olympics!!
As for behaviour in other countries you have to obey their laws. Point is just don’t go.

It is my intention to not watch one single game in that competition as my own protest. I can't really avoid the results as they will be plastered everywhere. However, I might do something I don't normally do around that time of year and immerse myself in Christmas. Horrible competition made out of reach for most ordinary folk. Reminds me too much of the Olympics and how I use to, once upon a time enjoy all the different sports in those few weeks.
Big switch off for me.

[Omegstrat6]

Regardless of my previous post, I do sort of get where Mick is coming from. To simply boycott Qatar and censor it would not achieve much. As Obama said, you do not fight hate with more hate and censorship, you fight it with engaging in.discussion. Guess it's a bit like criticism of those artists who played apartheid South Africa. Those that played to whites only, kept quiet and took the money were one thing, but others-like Paul Simon- played alongside black South Africans (e.g. Hugh Maskela and Miriam Makeba) and to mixed audiences and tried to engage and be part of the process of change.

Maybe holding the World Cup in Qatar might help elicit change -but it won't if nothing is said or pertinent questions asked (though I doubt rainbow laces or one-love armbands will achieve much!)

[baggieal]

As usual we get on our high horse having started wearing rainbow laces and with our policemen holding hands and kissing blokes who look like John Inman and Freddie Mercury on Gay Pride days.

The same police who were just as likely to beat up two blokes holding hands 25 years ago.

We should respect other countries and their laws and religious beliefs if we wish to travel there and understand that they are probably five decades behind us in terms of acceptance of men sticking their willies up other men’s bottoms!

Rome wasn’t built in a day and with help and persuasion and more modern thinking in a more open and worldly society then I’m sure that by 2050-2070 they too will have policemen dancing in the streets with leather clad men with handlebar moustaches.

Totally agree and yes we should respect other countries laws and beliefs. Should others come to the UK and demand we change our way of living ie lots of drunk kids, drugs, and girls having multiple partners?

Whats the difference. We should keep our noses out. Football should be football and not stupid rainbow laces or taking the knee bollox! What next - players wearing skirts to supports Trans!