To wish David Beckham and Robbie Williams would just admit ...

[strawberriesplease]

They've taken the Qatar gig for the money and screw everyone else.

Beckham saying it's to support future progress and Williams saying people complaining are doing so on Chinese technology so it's hypocritical.

Just own it. You love the money so much, despite already having huge wealth, you just couldn't resist it.

Yy exactly.

Although Williams' point about hypocrisy is true. There does seem to be a sliding scale of when people will comment on atrocities and breaches of international law; and when they're happy to turn a blind eye.

So yy we're all hypocrites but that doesn't excuse what they're doing. Everyone should have boycotted it.

were people complaining now also complaining consistently over the last 10 years?

Yes - the controversy began as soon as the announcement was made (I remember 'Mock The Week' about this. Plus all the action about Sepp Blatter and corruption (sacked 2015 and banned from any participation until 2027). Plus ongoing campaigning about human rights in the area - a huge issue

So don't assume its flash in the pan by us, or bandwagon-jumping.

Do look at the fickle and usually superficial nature of much press coverage. All too often it's bread and circuses (or in this case beer and football). But even the more serious outlets will link ongoing concerns to current headline-grabbers

Yes we need to take a stand against china and be prepared to pay more for goods not made with the sweat of the oppressed and exploited. We need to bring more manufacturing to the UK and be prepared to pay for it. Yes we need to stop holidaying in destinations which support the oppression of women and gay people.

But none of those things mean people who have a choice about whether to support a country which as such an appalling human rights record.

After The guy from Fifas comments this morning it’s clear the MO for diverting attention is whataboutery. Support this World Cup and you’re supporting hate

How much money do the Beckhams need? I don’t understand why the super rich keep toiling for cash. If I was wealthy, I’d buy a nice house and live happily there.

I do agree that we are all hypocrites though.

So how do you think change comes about, ever. If everyone just shrugged their shoulders and said "well, I can't change that" then women wouldn't have the vote. People are making a fuss to try and precipitate change to the culture of sport washing, ie buying major international sporting events using corrupt means in an attempt to gain acceptance from the international community for their appalling regimes.

I think the alcohol ban will be interesting to observe - it may even catch on!

Gary Neville was taken apart by Ian Hislop on HIGNFY. Quite right too. All of these folk have quite enough money to be able to boycott Qatar and retain some respect. They’ve lost that now.

I hope the whole thing will be an enormous flop and those punters spending their money travelling there should be ashamed.

Robbie Williams bought a baby.

Of course he doesn't care about human rights.

Money buys him everything in life and he doesn't care about exploiting people below him if he benefits.

They don’t just love the money and already have huge wealth....they’re greedy, selfish and have no moral compass whatsoever!

Seems it can’t buy him morals though

It’s about money for nearly everyone involved, and where it’s not it’s about achieving success and glory. There isn’t a moral high ground available to anyone here and it’s true that many of the people complaining are hypocritical.

IME the people that say they’re boycotting things like the World Cup, or flying, or holidays to Dubai either genuinely aren’t interested or couldn’t afford it anyway. It’s pointless virtue signalling that makes people look a bit silly.

I’m more annoyed by the ones who “highlight” the issues but still cash in.
Lecturing us mere plebs, sitting at home on our sofas watching it, and simultaneously making millions off it.

Yes they are doing it for the money but I do think people who criticise people for watching it etc are in a grey area because I don't think anyone in the U.K. can claim the moral high ground when you look at cheap Chinese imports, climate change, fast fashion etc.

That's it in a nutshell.

Imagine being so wealthy you can say what you want, champion causes, support voices etc

And your choice is to chase more money

The whole thing is about money to be honest.

everything is, that's capitalism

David Beckham's positioning as a gay allie should be shot to pieces over this.

To take up a role as Qatar ambassador, when many of his own friends would face the death penalty in that country for being gay, is hypocritical and hideous.

As awful as it sounds my view is that there’s no point any of us getting worked up about this now it’s happening as the only thing we can realistically do is to try and raise awareness about human rights.

Clearly most of the countries that are part of it aren’t happy but there’’s no way any of them would decide not to take part in principle. It’s just too big an event not to attend if you qualify.

I will be watching as always as it’s about the football and the players that are involved without really having a choice. If the high profile nature of the event raises awareness and results in changes to human rights laws in the Middle East then great.

I don’t judge David Beckham for his involvement (nor the commentators and pundits). He would have been involved wherever it had been held. Robbie Williams I agree doesn’t need to be there showing any kind of support but if he hadn’t taken the gig someone else would have done.

Well said.

@knittingaddict I do find it interesting that many people defend holidays in Dubai saying conditions aren’t that bad but haven’t seen anyone defend Qatar. Are conditions really that different or is Dubai a much nicer place to go on holiday

Plenty of people don't holiday in Dubai on principle. I wouldn't go there.

plenty of people fly though & our carbon footprint causes climate change in poorer countries

Yes we need to take a stand against china and be prepared to pay more for goods not made with the sweat of the oppressed and exploited. We need to bring more manufacturing to the UK and be prepared to pay for it.

People want cheap though...:

Budweiser bought the rights to flog beer at the tournament. They did so on the understanding of alcohol being available in stadiums. They aren't too chuffed. They won't make as much money now despite the investment. I would not rule out a legal challenge and it will affect future sponsorship.

Also its not OK to drink alcohol in the stadium as a povo punter, but buy a VIP ticket for £19k and amazingly beer with alcohol becomes available to you.

Its a terrible look for a sport which looks to its humble roots and support.

This championship is going to bomb big time as a pr exercise. Its toxic to all who touch it. It will highlight the excesses of the game.

There is also rumours that Qatar is involved in a match fix attempt with Ecuador already before a ball has been kicked.

I think time will judge it badly and it will represent more than just exploitation in football but a wider problem with the 1%. The timing couldn't be worse with a cost of living crisis here and the prospect of famine elsewhere due to the wheat prices and food inflation generally thanks to the war in Ukraine.

It's all about money. It always is.

@Lightningrain

David Beckham specifically took a multi-million dollar contract as Qatar World Cup Ambassador. Signed up with them, and also to be the face of Qatar.

I judge him for that.

The people at fault are FIFA for being bribed and corrupted by money.
Everyone one else is caught up by their initial choice.

Blaming Williams, Neville, Beckham, etc. is like blaming the end user for plastics when it's the manufacturers who make them.