I literally just turned down an invite for a job in Saudi, working on a big infrastructure construction project. I had considered jobs in the UAE before, stupidly turned down the offer to be flown to Dubai for the weekend to do an interview. DOn't think i'd have taken the job, but could have just gone for the laughs. Lets just say someone quite close to me was imprisoned in Dubai since then for 3 months for something they didn't do. I currently have 2 friends out in Qatar (both teachers) with two kids and a mate of mine worked in Saudi and Qatar who works in H&S in construction has just retired early in his 50s to live in Thailand
I'm sure I'd get arrested in Saudi Arabia if I lived there long enough. Probably end up saying the wrong thing to the wrong person.
My biggest problem is they have no real interest in playing football and the country is far too small to host a world cup all topped off with a regime that by our standards is misogynist , racist , homophobic etc
So Gary Neville your friendly, neighbourhood socialist, man of the people is working for BEIN during the WC but insists he's not a hypocrite.
James Maddison :"I would love to be in Qatar for the World Cup,, but unfortunately I am not a Defender and I am in good form."
He's an absolute twat. You won't beleive this but on LinkedIn I got shared a video of this fool talking about being a leader and manager of people. The utter failure of a.manager talking about people in day to day jobs
I remember at the start of the pandemic, Carragher shamed him into putting NHS workers into his empty hotel. He was sounding off about this and that but hadn't done anything himself like the idea hadn't even occurred to him. Champagne socialist I think the term is.
Being reported that Mo and Mahrez are going to be pundits for Bein at world cup.....sad news if true.
First day on the job under a new PM and the new Foreign sec has told LGBT+ fans to be 'Respectful' and 'Compromise' to Qatar laws if they attend the World Cup. Why don't they just pretend to be straight or just not be gay (etc) for a few weeks. . Hey why don't they just Compromise to a country that would gladly put them to death.
Well that's tories for ya! In fairness to anyone's country I'd be respectful of traditions and such anywhere I visit but I wouldn't go there because of the obvious thing they are doing. People are in and out of the area every day on holidays in the luxury and have no issue getting hands on anything desired so it is a bit rich to then impose rules on plebs walking the streets with rainbow flags. There'll be rich lgbt folk though that place every week getting anything they want without an eyelid batted in the lock in hotels. One giant double standard.
What exactly did you want them to do? Our government can't change another country's laws no matter how wrong they may be. The advice to people attending to "fall in line" is sensible considering the alternative is potential death. Maybe not say it on the first day like
Maybe it’s just me but I’m not sure why all the criticism for those comments. Yes, it’s shocking that it’s being held in a country where it’s illegal to be gay, but that’s not the governments fault. What did you want him to say? Ah don’t worry about it, go out there, be yourself and go around holding hands, kissing in public etc and you’ll be fine? All he’s said is, if you’re going o it there, remember they have rules. Be respectful of those rules even if you don’t agree with them and you’ll be fine.
The most stupid thing was the below from labour. so the comments are tone def and out gov should be challenging fifa kn why it’s being held at in Qatar. I’m not sure it’s really our governments fault that fifa were bribed to hold the tournament in the country ffs. Again, goes back to my point that in politics, whoever isn’t in charge just has to argue that anything the current gov are doing is wrong and all trying to point score. Hardly thing was defending them. Labour's shadow culture secretary criticised Mr Cleverly's remarks, describing them as "shockingly tone-deaf". Lucy Powell said: "Many fans will feel they can't attend this tournament to cheer on their team because of Qatar's record on human, workers, and LGBT+ rights. "The government should be challenging FIFA on how they've put fans in this position, and ensuring the full safety of all fans attending, not defending discriminatory values."
I call it playground politics. Happens nationally, regionally, with county and districts, even in local communities. All should be looking to improve society and they way of life for all, whether that means working together or not. Arguing for something because 'your opponent says X' is ****ing stupid.
jus a quick question. which government was in charge when fifa warded 2018 and 2022 world cups? which parliament was sitting. My info is cameron was just elected in 2010 and this was awarded december 2010 so only what? 1,2,3,4 PMs later and labour were just out of office. My next question: did the labour person ever raise this before in parliament or demand legal action be taken to fifa over 2018 or 2022 world cups being corrupt.
Neville is a filthy rat face. Nasty twat who deserves what he gets. And I tell you what. Salah and do one for going and all.
Not really, because what he gets is a load of money. In fairness though, it's not just about RatBoy, it's about all those associated with it and the fact that it was allowed to go ahead in the first place. Even Klopp - one of the most pc men in football (his touchline antics apart) has been too equivocal over it for my liking. I'd like it if the week before all countries who are uneasy about this all just refused to play, but they'll just indulge in a bit of moral gymnastics and find ways to lay the blame elsewhere. The "we're just following orders" excuse has some very sinister antecedents to those with a knowledge of history.
