2022/23 Andros Townsend

[Suffolkblue25]

If we apply political requirements with our own viewpoint as a gateway to playing international sport we may as well give up. We ae being holier than thou, when are guilty of demonising refugees, transporting refugees to Rwanda, have a press that is deeply racist, xenophobic and islamophobic. England fans are hardly a paradigm of virtue, having smashed up and fought their way through cities around the world. We still have a significant amount of fans and press that oppose taking the knee and are essentially mode eg n day fascists.

Let’s put our own house in order before preaching.

All valid points but... It's not as though this world cup has been forced upon Qatar is it? They bribed and corrupted their way to hosting it, and now get angry when the international community cast a spotlight on their society.

Yes the UK has many issues which you mention. But let's not kid ourselves, racism, homophobia etc. is a lot less of an issue here than it is in countries like Qatar. It's just that we here have an open society with a free press where issues are discussed.

The irony with all of this is that most people probably weren't really aware of Qatar before all this. Now everyone is, but with few positive things to say about the place. They say that all publicity is good publicity, but does that include blatant homophobia, limited women's rights, forced labour akin to slavery, oh and a ban on the sale of alcohol?

 

[DanEFC92]

Oh noo

 

[Taifi gorm]

Played with gay players too. Has a mother and women in his life but at least he's comfortable with the industrial economic exploitation.

 

[Ferguson1878]

All valid points but... It's not as though this world cup has been forced upon Qatar is it? They bribed and corrupted their way to hosting it, and now get angry when the international community cast a spotlight on their society.

Yes the UK has many issues which you mention. But let's not kid ourselves, racism, homophobia etc. is a lot less of an issue here than it is in countries like Qatar. It's just that we here have an open society with a free press where issues are discussed.

The irony with all of this is that most people probably weren't really aware of Qatar before all this. Now everyone is, but with few positive things to say about the place. They say that all publicity is good publicity, but does that include blatant homophobia, limited women's rights, forced labour akin to slavery, oh and a ban on the sale of alcohol?

They execute rapists terrorists and murderers so they do something’s right

 

[GrandOldSte117]

If we apply political requirements with our own viewpoint as a gateway to playing international sport we may as well give up. We ae being holier than thou, when are guilty of demonising refugees, transporting refugees to Rwanda, have a press that is deeply racist, xenophobic and islamophobic. England fans are hardly a paradigm of virtue, having smashed up and fought their way through cities around the world. We still have a significant amount of fans and press that oppose taking the knee and are essentially mode eg n day fascists.

Let’s put our own house in order before preaching.

Yes, yous are.

If we apply political requirements with our own viewpoint as a gateway to playing international sport we may as well give up. We ae being holier than thou, when are guilty of demonising refugees, transporting refugees to Rwanda, have a press that is deeply racist, xenophobic and islamophobic. England fans are hardly a paradigm of virtue, having smashed up and fought their way through cities around the world. We still have a significant amount of fans and press that oppose taking the knee and are essentially mode eg n day fascists.

Let’s put our own house in order before preaching.

It doesn't change the fact that the world Cup should never have been awarded to them

 

[neil999]

They execute rapists terrorists and murderers so they do something’s right

Oh hooray they have the death penalty.. how civilised, God sake...

 

[Tony’s Carp]

Hmm, some pretty dubious political comments there but got to say his co-commentary here has been excellent, well researched and tactically astute.

 

[Papa Shango]

All valid points but... It's not as though this world cup has been forced upon Qatar is it? They bribed and corrupted their way to hosting it, and now get angry when the international community cast a spotlight on their society.

Yes the UK has many issues which you mention. But let's not kid ourselves, racism, homophobia etc. is a lot less of an issue here than it is in countries like Qatar. It's just that we here have an open society with a free press where issues are discussed.

The irony with all of this is that most people probably weren't really aware of Qatar before all this. Now everyone is, but with few positive things to say about the place. They say that all publicity is good publicity, but does that include blatant homophobia, limited women's rights, forced labour akin to slavery, oh and a ban on the sale of alcohol?

The ban on alcohol isn't really something they should be getting chastised for... certainly not when compared to the other issues!

 

[Connor]

Played with gay players too. Has a mother and women in his life but at least he's comfortable with the industrial economic exploitation.

His arl man is literally the head of the Kick it Out campaign

 

[Ferguson1878]

Oh hooray they have the death penalty.. how civilised, God sake...

For crimes like that they deserve it don’t you think ? What would you do people like that then ? In fact don’t answer that

 

[neil999]

The ban on alcohol isn't really something they should be getting chastised for... certainly not when compared to the other issues!

The fact that they were going to allow alcohol shows the hypocrisy

 

[Papa Shango]

The fact that they were going to allow alcohol shows the hypocrisy

Of course it does, it's hardly a surprise either, but it's far down the list of what is important here.

 

[Groucho]

Lad please keep the Qatar talk in the WC forum.

Thanks.

 

[Bluestar]

Yes, yous are.

It doesn't change the fact that the world Cup should never have been awarded to them

I agree it shouldn’t have been awarded to them, but it was. FIFA are unfit to govern football, but we’re stuck with them.

The problem with bringing politics into sport is that there will always be reasons to boycott and withdraw. The Muslim world could chose to boycott the USA World Cup because of their recent history in the region. Or African nations could boycott because of white supremacism etc.

If we really want to teach Qatar a lesson, then start confiscating their property here in the UK. They are the tenth largest landowners here. It won’t happen of course, it is preferable that we focus on facile gestures such as arm bands and laces rather than actual political force.

 

[everton1953]

Back to football, is he still being paid by Everton?