I really don’t think that condemning the barbaric and dictatorial regime in Qatar could ever fall within the definition of virtue signalling. Not watching the competition may, however I am quite prepared to accept that criticism.
“Virtue signaling “ though, it’s become one of those fairly meaningless and not very illuminating catch all phrases/words like “do-gooder” or “woke”. So you get to a point where folk can’t be critical of a certain regime without getting called for “virtue signaling”. It’s worth pointing out that the last WC was held in a country whose regime is openly homophobic and which also doesn’t have a great record on human rights. Likewise there’s been a motor car race in Saudi this year I believe…. I don’t think it’s virtue signaling to criticise Qatar though as if folk are just doing it to be “right on” or some such nonsense
Im on a virtue silence currently in case I crack and end up hypocrisy signalling. Or is it signaling lol - what's that about?- zero marks for spelling Mr "Oxford Languages" ... if indeed that is your name!
I love football, I have zero interest in politics. I dislike it when sport and politics mix but unfortunately it’s unavoidable. Bringing about change takes time, I believe inclusion helps, after all Germany started 2 world wars but we still let them play and seems we quite like driving their cars!
Its good that issues around workers rights are highlighted and made public and that human rights issues are highlighted whether that be about gender rights etc. and i do see your point and that of others whether its following the sport or not being able to as it compromises your beliefs but what isn't OK is for us to conveniently forget that we do trade heavily with the country and I believe currently have a 3.4Bn arms deal in place. We have used their bases for military operations in the region and that all that appears ok! So what im saying is there is a perpetual relationship within which we seem to accept their culture provided it doesn't offend our sensibilities. they are what they are and wont be changing any time soon. The world cup is exactly that and it is accepting of all cultures in theory but where is the line drawn. There needs to be one hence the debate.
Maybe there is no right answer, just what is true for each one of us. I'm conflicted. I like the WC, but don't like some of the things I hear about Qatar, not did I like things about Russia, or for that matter Brazil or America..... I probably will watch some of the games but money makes the world go round and dirty money, well you know what that does. Let's just not knock each other on here.
Qatar match, I watched it, was a pretty poor game by footballing standards. For everyone else I'm not sure we'll ever change Qatar, Russia has already been mentioned add to that list the recent Winter Olympics.
My heart isn't really in this, World Cups should be watched in a pub beer garden in the summer, although at least I can still get a beer, unlike the fans who are there. It just seems a stupid time of year to have it, if the climate is too dangerously hot to play in the summer, then it shouldn't have even been considered. At the end we all know that we shall heroically lose on penalties, it's what we do best. As far as Qatar goes, I have no problem watching their F1 Grand Prix, so I suppose the same has to go for their football events. At the time they were given it, it was obviously a stupid choice but by those with palms well greased by the fattest brown envelopes. Although I have misgivings about the likes of David Beckham lending them a hand, who would turn down a few million quid for just turning up, he doesn't even have to eat an ostrich anus for his money.
Someone scored a few minutes ago, the college common room is next door to the library so lots of shouts and cheers. Not sure who as the college campus I'm at has a high Asian percentage - it could be Iran
Iran wouldn’t sing their National Anthem at the start as a protest against what’s happening at home with the protests, I hope they don’t all get arrested when they get off the flight home. That takes bottle as the Iranians don’t yellow snow about. Their goal keeper got knocked out, for 15 minutes of stoppage time they told him to stop being so soft and just get on with it, although he clearly wasn’t with it, so he had a lie down on the pitch instead until he was replaced.
I'm not trying to demonstrate my good character, even if I had one. It's nowt to do with me. Just expressing an opinion about Qatar.
