Qatar World Cup

Just reading an article on the RTE website about the world cup in Qatar.

Most people I know are not planning to watch the world cup including myself because of the LGBTQ+ and human rights abuses. To say for MOST involved in football the concept of a gay person playing being alien is utterly nuts - in Ireland at least. Sure there are homophobes but this is just not the reality.

IMO these kind of adversarial sweeping generalisation statements just put up barriers that didn't exist in the first place, and make it harder for gay people to come out.

Maybe the quote was taken out of context for clickbaity purposes by RTE - would be par for the course. Perhaps he was referring to the FAI but this isn't clear from the article.

AllForIt

This tread of providing screen shots instead of a link, I blame Twitter.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/world-cup-2022/2022/1027/1331725-qatar-2022-is-no-world-cup-for-gay-people/

gypsy79

This one is MUCH worse as it is built on complete lies

https://www.rte.ie/sport/world-cup-2022/2022/1019/1330080-300-billion-bill-possible-for-qatar-as-world-cup-looms/

TheValeyard

It's disgusting that the World Cup is to be held there. Fifa is so corrupt.

ancapailldorcha

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119814514#Comment_119814514

My sentiments exactly. Vile organisation. The World Cup is supposed to bring people together. Instead, it's a tawdry, money-siphoning operation.

joseywhales

The LGBTQ+ issues in Qatar are bad enough but like what about the fact that that society is fine with indentured servitude of foreign workers and only allowing them second class rights. What about all the maids and nannies that get raped or the construction workers who die on site or in their disease infested worker camps. Money doesn't wash away the ignorance.

Fr Tod Umptious

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119814967#Comment_119814967

World Cups are still about bringing people together, but they also about corruption and always have been.

But the problem with Qatar is that it has been so blatant.

FIFA usually want hosts to at least meet these requirements.

A big population so that there will be mass local interest, and disperesed venues so that all of a host nation will have some part of it, plus it helps with logistics etc.

Qatar straight away offer none of that, even before you look at the politics, rights etc

The fact that it was so blatant and that Qatar is such a c**t of a country should be an issue for FIFA.

But it's not, it's sponsors are still there, it's profile is still high etc.

If normal people are really annoyed by this then it's easy to fix it.

Don't watch the games, don't follow it on social media, don't buy from the sponsors.

And don't stop at the world cup, keep ignoring international soccer for as long as it takes.

But that would happen of course, because at the end of the day people will tut tut about LGBTQ rights in Qatar, or migrant workers rights, but will still have a reminder in their phone to watch England v USA at 7pm while drinking a bottle of Bud nice and cold from their Hisense fridge on their Sony TV.

Sweet Talkin Romeo

hopefully we'll see a pitch invasion from Rapinoe in protest of their illiberal antics 😅

nullzero

FIFA have always been corrupt and have always made decisions that benefit themselves and their cronies it just so happens that this time the corruption is jumping up and biting people on the nose.

We're all appalled by the attitude towards LGBTQ people in Qatar but they're not alone in holding such views in that part of the world and it would be wonderful if that was the worst thing about the Qatar world Cup because it's such a cavern of seemingly unending dispair and misery when you stand back and look at all the issues surrounding it.

That and it disrups the football season horrifically as well, on those grounds alone the bid from Qatar should never have been entertained to begin with but here we are looking down the barrel of the most disgusting major sporting event in history.

Potential-Monke

Not a fan of soccer in general, but I won't be watching any of this out of principle. Unfortunately, millions more don't care and are looking forward to their hollibops in Qatar, delighted with the fakeness of the place cuz they can get their amazeballs selfies.

I also apply this to anyone/thing who deals with UAE (to the best of my ability and knowledge, they're probably running a lot more things behind the scenes). The golfers who fecked off over there, anyone who has business dealings with them, I try to avoid. Doesn't mean much to them, but if enough people did it. However, we're asking humanity to care about each other, and it's blatantly obvious most people only care about themselves. So I expect nothing to come of all this.

The worst offenders are the women who take their hollibops over there for selfie purposes, or for "further training". Talk about crapping all over your own gender...

Atlantic Dawn

I think the only good thing to come out of it is the crooked way it was awarded led to untouchables in FIFA being removed and out of the organisation for good.

ancapailldorcha

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119817693#Comment_119817693

I don't think it makes a difference. Soccer has become such a base enterprise now. I've no idea how people can stand to watch it after the European Super League fiasco but as long as they do, the club owners will continue to rake it in.

Many of the same companies supporting Pride and saying how they are LGBTQ+ allies will be front and centre sponsoring this. It's sickening. Another poster made the point about indentured servitude. 100% agree.

Really shows how rotten and hypocritical our whole society is.

Potential-Monke

Actually, that's probably a good thing. We can now see exactly which companies are all about looking good vs actually caring. Not that I expect it will make any difference whatsoever.

JupiterKid

I had always planned to boycott watching the World Cup in Quatar as it is a completely blatant display of wanton greed and corruption from FIFA.

I am pretty heartened that many others intend to boycott it too, but as Potential Monke pointed out the vapid, shallow self-serving types will flock there.

slay55

Not a chance I’ll be missing this over any political unhappiness.

Potential-Monke

See

lawred2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119817865#Comment_119817865

Anyone who was even taken in by corporate virtue signalling should have their head wobbled anyway

elefant

On the OP's post: I don't think it's utterly nuts at all to suggest that gay people playing competitive team sports is alien to most Irish people. I've played competitive team sports all my life, and and I don't think I've ever been on a team with an openly gay teammate.

irelandrover

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119818017#Comment_119818017

i played GAA and soccer for years, and same as you I dont think i had an openly gay teammate. However i met a guy i played with a few years after he stopped and he was gay, he had just never mentioned it while playing with us. I also assume some of the people i play with and against are gay. Theres just too many people involved for it not to be the case. The fact that they don't feel they can come out is the huge issue.

Cal4567

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119817774#Comment_119817774

I have principles but if you don't like them I have others you can choose from.

Yes, butchering a famous Groucho quote to show the hypocrisy of certain companies and corporations. When there's money to be made?

MarkY91

I'm as disgusted as anyone else about Qatar being allowed to host this world cup but I will absolutely be watching it and so will everyone else I know. I find it hard to believe that someone can honestly say that most people they know will not be watching it.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119818017#Comment_119818017

I can't ever remember being in a dressing room where people announced their sexuality. I just assumed some of my teammates could well be gay. Having said that, back in the 1980s and 90s this was indeed an alien concept; however the last 20 years it surely isn't anymore? I'm in my 50s and openly gay people are part of our friend group and working life - no one cares as far as I can see. The homophobes would be a small minority.

I can't imagine younger people are more homophobic than my generation, at least not what I see from my kids.

Of course this doesn't mean that people don't feel they wouldn't be accepted if they came out - but I'd venture to guess they would be by most people. Maybe I'm just naive.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119818110#Comment_119818110

You're probably right - even those with strong positions now might be swayed by the prospect of say Brazil v France or something ....

elefant

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119818608#Comment_119818608

I would assume so too - but I know (and have known) the vast majority of my teammates over the years very well, and none of them have ever been openly out.

I'm sure nobody would be discriminatory if someone did come out, and I expect most would be actively supportive, but I also think it would be a totally new experience for 99% of the group to be in a team sport environment with an openly gay teammate. I think it would take a lot of bravery for someone in that culture to be the first to come out, and I'm not sure admitting to that makes the situation any worse than it already is.

rogber

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119815135#Comment_119815135

Much easier for footballers to talk about supporting LGBT rights than address the rights of the slave labour used to build the infrastructure used to host the tournament. Cos then they might actually have to do something meaningful like boycott the tournament rather than just wearing a rainbow armband or whatever.

LGBT is trendy cos you can support it without sacrificing your own comfort in any way. Address the human rights issues and it'll be like Howe at Newcastle every time "I'm just here to concentrate on the football"

Atlantic Dawn

RTE won't play Fairytale Of New York without censoring it despite the fact the lyrics had a different meaning 35 years ago yet they are fine paying millions to show football from a country where being a gay is illegal, makes sense.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119818853#Comment_119818853

It is really ridiculous.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119818792#Comment_119818792

I would agree with this, and ultimately someone has to be the first. Rugby is decades ahead of football in this sense. It's like my gay first cousin said to me recently, these days people throw confetti and ribbons at gay pride marches. Back in 1980s London (where he grew up) it was bricks and broken bottles. OFC in Ireland there weren't any at all.

Furze99

There's going to be an increasing focus on Iranian participation in coming weeks. Apart from the unrest concerning women's rights, they are supplying weaponry and munitions to Russia for their invasion of Ukraine.

Iran is in the same group as the USA, England and Wales......... going to be a shitstorm

ancapailldorcha

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119818840#Comment_119818840

People need to see football as a business and nothing else. It's not about sport, unity, or fair play. It's all about that bottom line.

Sweet Talkin Romeo

I'm looking forward to watching them all 'take the knee' over there ,,,,

,,,, and seeing them (FA/FIFA) add on other kinds of reasons for taking it, eg in support of LGB++ , AFTER (but not before) WC is over, in PL

CalamariFritti

I'm going to watch it anyway. Its the World Cup.

But yes its a terrible (corrupt) choice and I wish this wasn't happening there (or now).

Read on IT mag every WC visitor must have two apps installed mandatory on their smartphones. One covid tracker thingy and the overall WC app for bookings, public transport etc. Both apps with wide ranging permissions on the phones.

As for corruption - it's always been like that. FIFA is like an assembly of all their member countries and to make a bid to host the World Cup you have to pull delegates towards your side to win the 'election'. Same as in parliament only without parties, free-for-all. Can you imagine. I'd say the horse trading and outright bribery has always been at unbelievable levels there. No matter who you are. Franz Beckenbauer was knee deep in it for 2010, too. Was all hush hushed away.

michael.dublin

They should never have had the WC in the first place, but what really gets to me is, that all the players then they talk about equal rights, down on one knee for support and what have we, they are still going to go down there and play, it really show the massive double standard, yes i do get that there is so much money involved in this, and my guess is thats the reason its still going ahead, BUT if the players really wanted to be taken seriously, they should say that they dont want to go, if not its nothing but an empty gesture, then they say equal right and what have we.

cant remember who said this, but it sure fits in here "One need not go deep to find out the truth of why money is a potent weapon today. As a matter of fact, it has always been so. The mighty has ever ruled though its form has kept on changing"

irelandrover

I really don't blame the players for going. I would definitely be going if i was a player. For many it is the pinnacle of their career and the only chance that a lot will get to play a world cup. I'll also be watching it as to be honest i don't think whether i watch or not will make any difference. And i'd say the people saying they are going to skip it would very likely not have watched much anyway no matter where it was on.

The people who should be skipping this are the delegations that countries are sending. No politicians, monarchies, presidents or ambassadors should be there in any official capacity.

joseywhales

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119819128#Comment_119819128

Nothing wrong with going and actively highlighting the human rights abuses. Particularly players after they have been eliminated, could see a few spicey interviews maybe?

osarusan

I'll be watching it anyway. As many matches as I can.

I'd prefer that it be held almost anywhere else in the world, and the choice of host does lay bare the utter hypocrisy and shameless money-grab by FIFA...but I'm still going to watch it.

Tbh, I don't know of any football fans who are going to to give it a miss out of principle.

Deebles McBeebles

It's particularly shocking to me after the last WC was held in such a bastion of humanity and open-mindedness.

lawred2

can all be sorted with a few multi colored armbands lads...

Strumms

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119817774#Comment_119817774

Absolutely, you’ll see that advertising pitch side and then some LGBT supporting website..

https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/community/lgbtq-plus.html

said fast food organisation are a pitch side sponsor at the Qatar World Cup

yet homosexuality in Qatar and same sex sexual activity is illegal.

gay people prohibited from joining the military

No anti discrimination laws at all

the absolute hypocrisy of corporate bs merchants. They embrace the whole LGBT angle when in suits them. $$$$$$$ which 2022 for most it does… $$$$$$$

but quite happy to throw that community under the bus basically when the pitch side advertising is more valuable.

FortuneChip

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119819512#Comment_119819512

I think I'd echo this.

Might not go out of my way to watch games, but will watch what's on.

I have very little interest for any other spectacle associated with the event though. Because the idea of celebrating any of this doesn't sit right.

lawred2

Aside from the migrant issues and the LGB issues... FIFA quite literally chucked all the qualifying criteria that other nations were subjected to out the window when awarding Qatar this world cup.

zig

Im going for a few days. While I am in agreement that its a joke that it was ever allowed to be hosted there, not to mention the construction related human rights issues, I think the whole outrage stinks of hypocrisy. The West love to pick and choose what we're angry about and turn a blind eye when it doesn't suit us.

Worth noting that the Brazilian one was extremely controversial also for many Brazilians with forced removal of 1000s of people from their homes and scandalous overspending.

The funny part is, once the soccer starts, all the outrage will fizzle out, and imo, rightly so. The WC is about more than just the host nation and FIFA.

Manach

Given for the lack of interest in anti-reliogus prosecution in countries such as China when major events are held in that country or even to check their trade in response, I might be a tad skeptical of the virtue signalling of the progressives when it comes to their cause celebres.

Strumms

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119819922#Comment_119819922

Qatar is the first Muslim country to host the World Cup…it must be noted that FIFA's decision to vote on two consecutive World Cup venues simultaneously AND twelve years in advance made it seem as though FIFA was trying to create a favorable atmosphere for certain nations with World Cup ambitions, like Qatar but without ready infrastructure, without social amenities, who had or have security questions to answer to actually get the gig and have twelve years plus to get sorted.

a lot of the stadia and infrastructure are / were purpose built or newly built in the years preceding the tournament.

then the World Cup being given the go ahead to start in November ffs….ALL about facilitating Qatar..100% about politics.. football an afterthought…

0% about football, the fans, countries, teams or players. FIFA is a rank organisation.

buried

I doubt any soccer fan is going to boycott the World Cup because its being staged in Qatar. Why would they? I mean, if the reason is because a despotic, human rights abusing regime is involved in staging the stadiums and the teams, soccer fans would be boycotting all manner of other high profile soccer events such as the Premier League and Champions League. Which they don't.

Jequ0n

I couldn’t care less that the World Cup is on in Qatar, and I will be watching parts of it. Just like most of the hypocrites who loudly proclaim that they will be boycotting, just change their mind once it’s actually on.

Will_I_Amnt

I wont be boycotting the World cup no more than people boycott Pennys/Primark, Dunnes, Tesco etc - and even the more expensive stores like Next and GAP etc when buying clothes which are sourced from Bangladesh sweatshops where draconian human rights laws and slave labour working conditions are similar to that of Qatar's.

If people are gonna take the moral high ground on these matters, they really shouldn't be so selective about it! it's a media shitstorm at the moment that will blow over, just as it did when over a thousand 'slaves' were killed in a Dhaka sweatshop 9 years ago. And this shitstorm will also blow over, about a week after the World cup is presented to Thiago Silva, Hugo Lloris, Lionel Messi, Harry Kane, Sergio Busquets or whoever! 

AllForIt

I can understand those who may otherwise have travelled to Qatar boycotting is but boycotting watching it on the telly strikes me as a bit ridiculous.

zig

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119820825#Comment_119820825

Im not boycotting, but this aint really true. Watching it on TV is still supporting the WC and Qatar both financially and morally. IMO you dont get to boycott it and still watch it. Its cheating!

Strumms

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119819058#Comment_119819058

And, now, politicking..