A fella in the pub just asked me to name 3 Qatar players…. I said George Harrison, Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix.
LLT Interesting to hear Infantino's comments having read your post. For what it is worth, I totally agree that the manner in which Qatar was awarded the World Cup was corrupt. However, I think that there is a genuine appreciation for football in Qatar and the father of the current ruler is someone who is genunely in love with football having previouly played the game I do not doubt that they are genuine in their affection for the game and , in addition, have to say that I am pleased that the competion has been awarded to an Islamic country. This can only be good. Picking up on your point about the F1 in Saudi, I also concur that this is far more problematic for me. I have no interest in golf either but the recent machinations regarding the breakaway tournaments deserve more opprobrium. Anything connected with Saudi is on a far grander scale of immorality than is the case with Qatar. If you want to stick with football, I was far more alarmed that the previous competiton was awarded to Russia. In 2022, this decision looks even worse ! However, I think that there are plenty of other countries who have hosted the competition who were in a far more inviduous position than Qatar. One only has to think of Argentina in 1978 when the government was carrying out extra-judicial killings. I cannot recall if there were similar protests about this. Far more serious than Qatar in 2022.
Thought I'd log in again just for Cymru in the World Cup Glad to see lots of familiar "faces" still here and yes, I'm keeping Graziano as my avatar
Hey stranger! How are you doing! This is like old times, how great to hear from you. If you can persuade Graziano to return that would be lovely, and if you’re still in touch with Fats, tell him to come back too!
Hello Chilcs I'm good, thanks - lost Mum in January but seeing as she was 93, had dementia and had been bed-ridden for 2 years, it was a blessing. As far as I can tell, Graziano's not playing anywhere but not officially retired either... I'll message Fats
Sorry about your Mum, but I went through the same with mine so I know what you mean about it being a blessing. As for Signor Pélle, he could still do a job for us I’d say!
Meh. Its a big loss for them but I can't see them doing much anyway, can't remember the last time a holder even reached a QF. Brazil in Germany maybe? Quite fancy Denmark to win that group, especially With Pogba out who is huge for them.
BBC who are usually **** hot at tournament intros have created the weakest, dullest and most phoned in effort for Qatar, no hint of the host as well. Wonder if this is deliberate / if this is going to be a sign of massively toned down coverage for this World Cup?
It’s almost certainly deliberate. Part of what Qatar wanted and paid for was a load of fawning press coverage that ignores the more unpleasant aspects of their regime. Money can buy most things but it can’t buy everything Exactly how true that comment of mine is will be revealed when the matches start as well
I think there should be a minutes silence before each match to recognise the lives lost by migrant workers in building the WC facilities. All Qatari matches should have the absolute minimum of reporting.
