Weak as piss .... "Our players and coaches are disappointed – they are strong supporters of inclusion and will show support in other ways." Like what? Southgate keeps saying they're 'strong supporters' of this, that and the other. Means nowt, like people who don't go to Sunderland matches, don't protest and never leave their bedrooms but love blaming everyone else iif the club aren't doing well. And, as for the Gary Lineker speech, weak as piss. The language he used sounded good, on first hearing, but it's quite shallow when you listen again.
Isnt it strange that the armbands were worn in the Nations League games, without any reaction from FIFA. Now all of a sudden they are a bookable offence. Yet another nail in the FIFA coffin for me. You can be sure the national FAs wont let this go quietly.
Missing, last seen in Qatar Andy Payne, been to every world cup ... https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...n-rights-record-gay-rights-boycott-tournament
Christ, I've just noticed the t-shirt. A few weeks in a Qatari prison should open his eyes to reality.
And his Mrs will obviously be stoned. The fans zone is going to be interesting, their coppers have long sticks?
Whole Maddison selection is stupid. Refused to take him when he was on fire any other time, takes him now when he's injured. All because there were 3 more spaces.
The Qataris have built spectacular stadiums, put in fans parks, etc, then sat back and believed they could fool the whole world as they think they do with their inhabitants. (They don't, their people live in fear so pretend to be fooled.) As you quite rightly highligfht, they're actually doing themselves more harm than good. They just can't tolerate people they fundamentaly hate, us, to do anything they automatically hate .... namely freedom of speeach and expression. They're now in the spotlight and keep making things worse by trying to fix them. It's actually becoming funny watching them staggering around in their clown shoes knocking over what they thought they'd cleverly constructed.
Nothing around where I live. The thought hasn't crossed my mind to get something tacky like a car flag this year. There's no summer carnival atmosphere, getting pissed in the sun. no BBQs with tellys dragged into back gardens.
My worry is the Qatar police/army will apply their crowd control methods to the travelling fans and FIFA will say the beatings administered were the fans fault for not respecting the Qatar culture.
And certainly none in Qatar. I've taken my sons to two World Cups but never considered this one. I think those who've gone will think it was a waste of money tbh ... ... World Cups are like breasts, not half as much fun when they're fake.
Really good atmosphere where I am with all the pubs decorated with England flags etc. Buzzing for it now.
Wearing rainbow armbands at the world cup was an empty gesture as far as I'm concerned. But being booked for wearing one stinks.
Just seen that Kane won't be wearing the rainbow armband after being told he will be given a yellow card. So Qatar said they could now he can't really become of foorballsanctions. said they can drink in stadiums, then said they can't. U turn central.
How is it trying to derail the thread? I’m trying to put a positive spin on it as all there seems to be is negativity so far. The World Cup is being played whether we like it or not, no point in moaning about it.