What's the difference

[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.

[Kal]

They might not want to be dragged down to this

https://youtu.be/efp9X3xtbyc

[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.

[Nufcian]

Here’s my tuppence worth…

Qatar bought the World Cup, there’s no valid argument for a tiny county with no football history or infrastructure to be awarded it.

Having bought the World Cup, surely that’s like inviting people into your house… I had thought their culture would be about being a good host. People turn up uninvited, then by all means lay down the house rules for them, but this wasn’t

Players are NOT just playing football, they are representing England (Wales/Holland/etc) on a massively public world stage.

What’s done is done… there’s probably more coverage and bad press about Qatar now as a result of FIFA’s last minute threat, and people are walking around in Qatar with rainbow bucket hats which is getting shown around the world… so am not really sure what has actually been accomplished from a Qatar perspective.

We (and others) just look weak, Iran players risked a f**k load more than a yellow card yesterday

[ex_pat_magpie]

Well summed up Ian

[HughieG]

Here’s my tuppence worth…

Qatar bought the World Cup, there’s no valid argument for a tiny county with no football history or infrastructure to be awarded it.

Having bought the World Cup, surely that’s like inviting people into your house… I had thought their culture would be about being a good host. People turn up uninvited, then by all means lay down the house rules for them, but this wasn’t

Players are NOT just playing football, they are representing England (Wales/Holland/etc) on a massively public world stage.

What’s done is done… there’s probably more coverage and bad press about Qatar now as a result of FIFA’s last minute threat, and people are walking around in Qatar with rainbow bucket hats which is getting shown around the world… so am not really sure what has actually been accomplished from a Qatar perspective.

We (and others) just look weak, Iran players risked a f**k load more than a yellow card yesterday

Some fair points here.

[Jammy89]

.

We (and others) just look weak, Iran players risked a f**k load more than a yellow card yesterday

Very good point.

[Sclox]

Theres more and more of this at the WC it seems.

All noble issues that need looked at, yes...but is football really the platform for it? Honestly?

Maybe not. There are wrongs all over the place but I'd prefer to see sport kept
out of it with governing bodies and governments the world over taking responsibility for fixing the bigger problems.

[HughieG]

Separating sports and politics is an impossible ideal. It's so entwined and entangled and quite frankly, it will never happen because of the platform that certain sports, especially football, offers.

[toptoon]

Separating sports and politics is an impossible ideal. It's so entwined and entangled and quite frankly, it will never happen because of the platform that certain sports, especially football, offers.

Perhaps you’re right but it shouldn’t be. Just because someone is famous because they’re good at football, driving, singing, etc. doesn’t make their opinion any more relevant on political issues than your average person in the street.
Due to their enormous wealth, their views are perhaps even less relevant.