Boycotting the mens' football World Cup

[malumbu]

Seeing Jordan Henderson talking about human rights and Qatar got me thinking about how I would be celebrating the appalling decision to hold this event in Qatar (corporate greed/TV rights/brown nosing with a fossil fuel exporter?)

You could have argued some of the same about Russia, but it is actually a country bigger than the size of a postage stamp, where they have a footballing heritage and held a surprisingly good tournament following all the hype about state sponsored hooliganism.

It would be interesting to hear whether others may simply ignore the tournament. Please don't go on about student politics or my actions not changing the world one bit. I'd also be interested in DCMSs and the government as a whole position

Cheers

https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/middle-east-and-north-africa/qatar/report-qatar/

[TheCat]

Unfortunately Mal, I think that all we're probably likely to see is some increased noise from various activist and charity groups in the lead-up and during the world cup. Accompanied by various platitudes from government about 'urging the qatairis to improve...blah blah blah...

But at the end of the day, most of the population will say something like 'thats terrible, somebody should do something....what time is kickoff?'....

As uncomfortable as it is to admit for many...I reckon much will also depend on how deep England go in the tournament. Think back to the Euro tournament, how covid rules were altered or ignored for live events as england marched towards the final....and that was when people in this country were dying....

If england start getting towards the pointy end, the excitement will drown out any concern for the deaths of some foreign construction workers in Qatar.

However, if England exit early....then the media will fill the space with concern about human rights in qatar. And it will be branded as the world cup that 'no one' wanted to win, and should be quickly forgotten....again, only if england are out....

[Alan Medic]

Dead right Cat.The WC is about money for FIFA.What you read about it here will depend on how far England go.

[Waseley]

I think the OP was about whether as individuals we'd boycott it. Two great posts, but a general finger in the air suggests that most are either disinterested or don't care. ..