What's the difference

[Zippity]

I absolutely take the points, lads, that it's another country-and culture's-beliefs and who are we to put our values above theirs.

However, I'm just about to do that.

The Qatari stance on LGBT rights is discriminatory and bigoted. Whether it stems from a religious belief or a macho, patriarchal system or whatever the fuck they use to justify it doesn't matter-it discriminates against and punishes people for loving people of the same ***. Like it's anyone else's business?? Just because it's enshrined in their law doesn't make it ok.

All just imo.

[toptoon]

You know what would really have made a difference? If any supporter, player and journalist who is opposed, just to have refused to go there.
The competition would’ve been completely degraded and FIFA would’ve been shown up even more for making the ludicrous decision of holding it there.
However, it seems that money holds the high ground for more people than just FIFA.

[sherwoodmag]

If we blocked every country that has done something bad in the past then countries like Luxembourg v Andorra would play in the final.

In Britain *** between males was illegal up to the 1960s,the main reason it was lifted was men were being blackmailed into spying for the Soviets.
At school as a Christian country we were taught about God destroying the cities of Sodom and Gomarah for devient ***ual habits.

Now we are slagging off Muslim countries for sticking to the religious beliefs that we believed in as written in the Bible.

[HughieG]

I absolutely take the points, lads, that it's another country-and culture's-beliefs and who are we to put our values above theirs.

However, I'm just about to do that.

The Qatari stance on LGBT rights is discriminatory and bigoted. Whether it stems from a religious belief or a macho, patriarchal system or whatever the fuck they use to justify it doesn't matter-it discriminates against and punishes people for loving people of the same ***. Like it's anyone else's business?? Just because it's enshrined in their law doesn't make it ok.

All just imo.

I'm with you 100%, Zip. There are certain things that we cannot and should not accept, such as discrimination based on someone's ***uality. It's a human right not to be violated based on who you love, and it's a human right to work under fair conditions that do not resemble slavery. In fact, here's what it says:

Working conditions must be safe, healthy, and not demeaning to human dignity. Employees must be provided with reasonable work hours, adequate rest and leisure time, as well as periodic, paid holidays.

Has this likely happened in other countries where UK, Denmark etc. have participated gladly? Yes, most likely. Does that mean we should let it slide and by that nothing ever improves? Of course not.

This is not just about one culture offending another, if it was I would say shut up and play football. This is about people's basic rights and well-being. It's also not about being preachy or being more holy or "right", it's about being fair.