A little premature perhaps, but a saw a picture of one of the seven stadiums built/being built in the desert for the World Cup in November next year and very impressive it is too. It was illustrating a story in the Times. I read on, to discover that 6,500 migrant workers have died, so far, since Qatar won the tournament in 2010. The official number linked to World Cup construction is tiny, but most migrants are only in the country for work associated with the tournament. SIX THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DEAD. For a ****ing football tournament. And this was just a throwaway line in the article. FIFA’s pretty obviously corrupt decision to hold the tournament there has been criticised for a whole range of reasons, from climate to human rights. But I am genuinely shocked by these deaths. I’m sure that there is a relatively high death rate for migrant construction workers almost everywhere in the Gulf States, but this seems next level. Any info or comment @WBA2_QPR3? No criticism of those who take the opportunity to earn a living from this immense project implied. I just have an image of slaves building the pyramids and dropping like flies in the process that I can’t get out of my head.
Totally agree with this. The deaths of these people is truly shocking and appalling. However the vast majority of the world will not give a flying **** when the tournament begins and will support their national teams with gusto. As I’ve said before on other matters….’people’ are now seen as no more than a commodity to be used by the rich….to serve our coffee, to clean our toilets….and now to die building our football stadiums. The fact that the WC ever went to a state like Qatar is a disgrace and makes a mockery of anything that FIFA say about fan or any countries behaviour. Like it seems to be happening in this country….corruption is being thrown in our face and we are all being taken for a ride.
I read the same article and did think about if I should boycott watching the tournament. There is so much about it that is wrong. I probably don't have the self discipline to follow through with that thought but wish I did. I'd have been immensely proud if we'd got together with the other decent footballing nations to boycott this tournament and out on an alternative.
It feels like a dirty competition, and makes you realise how corrupt the whole bidding process was/is. Football has become a rich mans plaything, there's far too much money involved at the top end, with nowhere near enough trickling down to those that really need it, especially in the post-Covid era. Same as you though, I'll still be watching it - you just can't help yourself.
FiFA should move the tournament somewhere else where there are already facilities in place and are willing to take it. That would show they are an improved organisation, but I don't think it will happen.
Just a little off topic but still FIFA related. A few years back, Australia were told to pay 50 million by Sepp Blatter / FIFA, just to be considered for World Cup eligibility. Stupidly, we paid it and that was that. Regarding Qatar, the way they have treated workers safety is shocking and the way they treat women is just as bad.
6500 deaths in what could be considered modern day slavery, I wonder how many of the superstars that take the knee every week in support of a criminal, who will be going to said tournament would take the knee in support of the construction dead in the very tournament they’re playing in, I’m guessing zero because in all honesty I don’t believe they really give a sh*t about equality where it really doesn’t exist !!!
A few players need to take notice of what has occurred and boycott the tournament. Are you listening Rashford and Mings?
I'll be lying if I category say yes. But it's not important whether I do or don't. It's not me constantly telling people of the inequality in Society