To think it's bonkers that having the Cup in Qatar

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Will make any difference to anything other than giving the dosh to Qatar and Qatari business.

It made no difference to human rights abuses when we had the Olympics in China so why does anyone expect this to be any different?

People in Qatar have different beliefs and a different culture, but surely they can still host sporting events?

I didn’t think there was any suggestion it would make a difference. Isn’t it universally understood that they got it due to some dodgy dealing and that’s why the heads of FIFA were replaced?
It’s utterly ridiculous to host it in a country with no football pedigree where it has to be held in winter and where stadiums have had to be built in terrible working conditions.
all of these things should have been enough to prevent it happening quite apart from the human rights abuses.

They arrested one of the World Cup officials for the crime of being raped. That isn’t cultural relativism.

my absolute greatest sporting memory is being at the finals of the World Cup. I will no longer support an organization that hosts an event where their own employees are criminalized simply for being female. I’m done watching. I’m done going to games.

different beliefs and culture

Also known as significant and multiple human rights abuses

I don't, money makes the world go around!

The whole thing is pointless and why are they having it in the winter

It’s not pointless to Qatar. Sports washing away all the human rights abuses. And winter of course because of the climate. Whole thing is so corrupt. Disgusting.

I can't imagine anyone with a shred of integrity supporting it in any way. I would judge harshly anyone who did.

I was reading some articles about the abuse and deaths of the construction workers. That was appalling enough before you even start on the LBGT issues.

ThunderMoo It would be too hot for the players in their summer heat.

Not too hot for the construction workers who were apparently forced to work in 40 degrees plus, sometimes without access to water.

I wonder how many people have died in the building work

I thought it was commonly accepted that it was all the result of corruption??? And that is why it was awarded to Qatar and many other counties. I thought Seth Blatter was des graced as a result of it all as it was revealed to be all corrupt through and through x

Um

I don't think anyone has issues with different beliefs but the human rights violations... I

My sons are massive football fans but they have absolutely no intention of watching the World Cup …bloody shocking it is there !

How can you possibly think it's about that? Did I not mention human rights abuses in my op? Was it not clear that referring to China in the context indicated that I was accusing Qatar of perpetrating human rights abuses too? That the two situations were very similar?

Have you seen or read any actual news in the last, oh, 10 years?

There’s no suggestion that it will make any difference. Not every country lives like we do, some of them some atrocious practices, most of them will never change. Even though they should.

But it’s 12 years since this competition was awarded to Qatar, have we only just noticed?

ThunderMoo I doubt if the true figure will ever be available. One report I read said it was 6,500, but this varies in other reports. Apparently many were "natural deaths" which seems questionable given that the vast majority are likely to be healthy young men. There will also be many workers injured, some severely, and the issue of living conditions and wage abuse.

There were protests at the time Qatar was picked to host this World Cup, pointing out its abysmal human rights record around women's rights, gay rights, migrant workers and so on. Did no good.

If individual countries want to stick to laws and cultural/religious practices that most of the rest of us think are wrong and abhorrent, that's their choice, but they should then be ruled out as potential hosts for the Olympics, World Cup etc etc. Surely the major sporting bodies should be forced to think about the experience of the visiting teams and fans, and the PR effect of picking somewhere like Qatar, as well as the money coming their way.

I'm not a football fan so probably wouldn't have paid this too much attention, although I do often end up watching a few matches if a British team is still involved, and maybe the Final. Won't be bothering this year. I can't imagine many gay football fans are going to risk attending.

Yes it is bonkers. FIFA is corrupt that’s why the WC it was held in Russia in 2018 and Qatar won the 2022 bid. Everyone knew at the time that both decisions were madness.

That's awful. I shall boycott it and anything advertising off the the back of it.

What human rights abuses are there in Qatar? Genuinely didn't realise?!

The footballers should refuse to go. Happy to wear rainbow armbands or kneel during the national anthem or whatever other virtue signaling is currently in fashion, but at the end of the day, money trumps moral integrity.

@ThinkThings wow. Do you not follow the news at all?

So all the taking the knee and kick it out posturing over the years is shown to be a completely hollow gesture as soon as money is involved.

Agree with many comments above. I look forward to the world Cup but we won't be watching.

Do the players have to play? Can't they drop out?