A week to go before all journalists on the payroll roll out their 'actually it's not so bad over here' blog posts/columns and the sportswashing is complete.
Money and blood well spent I am sure.
Right on cue.
What’s funny is you clearly haven’t read the article before getting over excited and going back to quote your own prediction.
"The experience of riding the trains is just as impressive. As an experience it is unfailingly pleasant. Driverless trains glide between stations with nary a bump. They arrive every three minutes (maybe five at 2am) and give you enough time to get on without rushing. “Event team members” on the platforms prevent overcrowding."
Sportswashing in a nutshell. It's funny you clearly don't get why they paid for the World Cup in the first place.
So reporters should just lie about their experience instead？
If anything, this World Cup has shown that sports washing doesn't really work, Qatar's major issues have been highlighted in a way that never would have happened had they not hosted the world cup.
Do you think anyone in the world will now overlook the fact they arrest homosexuals because the trains run on time?
A week to go before all journalists on the payroll roll out their 'actually it's not so bad over here' blog posts/columns and the sportswashing is complete.
Money and blood well spent I am sure.
Right on cue.
What’s funny is you clearly haven’t read the article before getting over excited and going back to quote your own prediction.
"The experience of riding the trains is just as impressive. As an experience it is unfailingly pleasant. Driverless trains glide between stations with nary a bump. They arrive every three minutes (maybe five at 2am) and give you enough time to get on without rushing. “Event team members” on the platforms prevent overcrowding."
Sportswashing in a nutshell. It's funny you clearly don't get why they paid for the World Cup in the first place.
From the very same article:
"...but its construction has carried a human cost" at the beginning.
Further down...
"On 28 February 2016, a construction worker from the Philippines, Juanito B Pardillo, died while working on the metro project. In April of that year the Building and Wood Workers’ International union said that his family were still waiting for an official explanation of what happened, though media reports suggested Pardillo had been helping to excavate a tunnel while it was raining when it collapsed, something that went against safety rules."
Also...
"They are the men who, exclusively it seems according to the foibles of the subcontracting process, fulfil the role of directing tourists in and out of the stations. Working long days, monitoring crowds that manifest only at certain times, it’s a tough gig..."
It's possible to recognise that awarding the World Cup to Qatar was a corrupt disgrace and that their treatment of migrant workers is awful, while also appreciating the coming together of different cultures on a train. Enjoying the latter doesn't mean you endorse the former.
A week to go before all journalists on the payroll roll out their 'actually it's not so bad over here' blog posts/columns and the sportswashing is complete.
Money and blood well spent I am sure.
Right on cue.
What’s funny is you clearly haven’t read the article before getting over excited and going back to quote your own prediction.
"The experience of riding the trains is just as impressive. As an experience it is unfailingly pleasant. Driverless trains glide between stations with nary a bump. They arrive every three minutes (maybe five at 2am) and give you enough time to get on without rushing. “Event team members” on the platforms prevent overcrowding."
Sportswashing in a nutshell. It's funny you clearly don't get why they paid for the World Cup in the first place.
So reporters should just lie about their experience instead？
If anything, this World Cup has shown that sports washing doesn't really work, Qatar's major issues have been highlighted in a way that never would have happened had they not hosted the world cup.
Do you think anyone in the world will now overlook the fact they arrest homosexuals because the trains run on time?
I think that's what the Qatar government were hoping for.
I believe that when you think back to Qatar the majority of the population will now think about the World Cup over the stories about the migrant deaths, which is what they wanted.
A week to go before all journalists on the payroll roll out their 'actually it's not so bad over here' blog posts/columns and the sportswashing is complete.
Money and blood well spent I am sure.
Right on cue.
What’s funny is you clearly haven’t read the article before getting over excited and going back to quote your own prediction.
"The experience of riding the trains is just as impressive. As an experience it is unfailingly pleasant. Driverless trains glide between stations with nary a bump. They arrive every three minutes (maybe five at 2am) and give you enough time to get on without rushing. “Event team members” on the platforms prevent overcrowding."
Sportswashing in a nutshell. It's funny you clearly don't get why they paid for the World Cup in the first place.
So reporters should just lie about their experience instead？
If anything, this World Cup has shown that sports washing doesn't really work, Qatar's major issues have been highlighted in a way that never would have happened had they not hosted the world cup.
Do you think anyone in the world will now overlook the fact they arrest homosexuals because the trains run on time?
I think that's what the Qatar government were hoping for.
I believe that when you think back to Qatar the majority of the population will now think about the World Cup over the stories about the migrant deaths, which is what they wanted.
I think you’re absolutely wrong on that.
As an example - Argentina 1978 is a tournament that carried its share of iconic footballing moments whilst at the same time the stories of the horrendous political situation are also retold time and time again. I wasn’t born for another 9 years, but to this day still read and hear about it often.
The lead up to this World Cup has been the most controversial of possibly any sporting event of all time.
If you think that all just gets forgotten about, and that all of us simpleton football fans and the journalists are therefore “sportswashed” all because people had a good time - then you go ahead and believe that. But it’s a deliberately obtuse way of looking at things.
A week to go before all journalists on the payroll roll out their 'actually it's not so bad over here' blog posts/columns and the sportswashing is complete.
Money and blood well spent I am sure.
Right on cue.
What’s funny is you clearly haven’t read the article before getting over excited and going back to quote your own prediction.
"The experience of riding the trains is just as impressive. As an experience it is unfailingly pleasant. Driverless trains glide between stations with nary a bump. They arrive every three minutes (maybe five at 2am) and give you enough time to get on without rushing. “Event team members” on the platforms prevent overcrowding."
Sportswashing in a nutshell. It's funny you clearly don't get why they paid for the World Cup in the first place.
So reporters should just lie about their experience instead？
If anything, this World Cup has shown that sports washing doesn't really work, Qatar's major issues have been highlighted in a way that never would have happened had they not hosted the world cup.
Do you think anyone in the world will now overlook the fact they arrest homosexuals because the trains run on time?
I think that's what the Qatar government were hoping for.
I believe that when you think back to Qatar the majority of the population will now think about the World Cup over the stories about the migrant deaths, which is what they wanted.
Or - and to be fair, I am only going by the views of the closest few hundred people I know - most people have enjoyed the world cup but STILL think Qatar is a shit country due to their human rights issues.
A week to go before all journalists on the payroll roll out their 'actually it's not so bad over here' blog posts/columns and the sportswashing is complete.
Money and blood well spent I am sure.
Right on cue.
What’s funny is you clearly haven’t read the article before getting over excited and going back to quote your own prediction.
"The experience of riding the trains is just as impressive. As an experience it is unfailingly pleasant. Driverless trains glide between stations with nary a bump. They arrive every three minutes (maybe five at 2am) and give you enough time to get on without rushing. “Event team members” on the platforms prevent overcrowding."
Sportswashing in a nutshell. It's funny you clearly don't get why they paid for the World Cup in the first place.
So reporters should just lie about their experience instead？
If anything, this World Cup has shown that sports washing doesn't really work, Qatar's major issues have been highlighted in a way that never would have happened had they not hosted the world cup.
Do you think anyone in the world will now overlook the fact they arrest homosexuals because the trains run on time?
I think that's what the Qatar government were hoping for.
I believe that when you think back to Qatar the majority of the population will now think about the World Cup over the stories about the migrant deaths, which is what they wanted.
Or - and to be fair, I am only going by the views of the closest few hundred people I know - most people have enjoyed the world cup but STILL think Qatar is a shit country due to their human rights issues.
So if that's sports washing, they have left a red sock in with their whites.
A week to go before all journalists on the payroll roll out their 'actually it's not so bad over here' blog posts/columns and the sportswashing is complete.
Money and blood well spent I am sure.
Right on cue.
What’s funny is you clearly haven’t read the article before getting over excited and going back to quote your own prediction.
"The experience of riding the trains is just as impressive. As an experience it is unfailingly pleasant. Driverless trains glide between stations with nary a bump. They arrive every three minutes (maybe five at 2am) and give you enough time to get on without rushing. “Event team members” on the platforms prevent overcrowding."
Sportswashing in a nutshell. It's funny you clearly don't get why they paid for the World Cup in the first place.
So reporters should just lie about their experience instead？
If anything, this World Cup has shown that sports washing doesn't really work, Qatar's major issues have been highlighted in a way that never would have happened had they not hosted the world cup.
Do you think anyone in the world will now overlook the fact they arrest homosexuals because the trains run on time?
I think that's what the Qatar government were hoping for.
I believe that when you think back to Qatar the majority of the population will now think about the World Cup over the stories about the migrant deaths, which is what they wanted.
Or - and to be fair, I am only going by the views of the closest few hundred people I know - most people have enjoyed the world cup but STILL think Qatar is a shit country due to their human rights issues.
So if that's sports washing, they have left a red sock in with their whites.
Just wait for the Champions League final in Doha next.
A week to go before all journalists on the payroll roll out their 'actually it's not so bad over here' blog posts/columns and the sportswashing is complete.
Money and blood well spent I am sure.
Right on cue.
What’s funny is you clearly haven’t read the article before getting over excited and going back to quote your own prediction.
"The experience of riding the trains is just as impressive. As an experience it is unfailingly pleasant. Driverless trains glide between stations with nary a bump. They arrive every three minutes (maybe five at 2am) and give you enough time to get on without rushing. “Event team members” on the platforms prevent overcrowding."
Sportswashing in a nutshell. It's funny you clearly don't get why they paid for the World Cup in the first place.
So reporters should just lie about their experience instead？
If anything, this World Cup has shown that sports washing doesn't really work, Qatar's major issues have been highlighted in a way that never would have happened had they not hosted the world cup.
Do you think anyone in the world will now overlook the fact they arrest homosexuals because the trains run on time?
I think that's what the Qatar government were hoping for.
I believe that when you think back to Qatar the majority of the population will now think about the World Cup over the stories about the migrant deaths, which is what they wanted.
Or - and to be fair, I am only going by the views of the closest few hundred people I know - most people have enjoyed the world cup but STILL think Qatar is a shit country due to their human rights issues.
So if that's sports washing, they have left a red sock in with their whites.
Just wait for the Champions League final in Doha next.
A week to go before all journalists on the payroll roll out their 'actually it's not so bad over here' blog posts/columns and the sportswashing is complete.
Money and blood well spent I am sure.
Right on cue.
What’s funny is you clearly haven’t read the article before getting over excited and going back to quote your own prediction.
"The experience of riding the trains is just as impressive. As an experience it is unfailingly pleasant. Driverless trains glide between stations with nary a bump. They arrive every three minutes (maybe five at 2am) and give you enough time to get on without rushing. “Event team members” on the platforms prevent overcrowding."
Sportswashing in a nutshell. It's funny you clearly don't get why they paid for the World Cup in the first place.
So reporters should just lie about their experience instead？
If anything, this World Cup has shown that sports washing doesn't really work, Qatar's major issues have been highlighted in a way that never would have happened had they not hosted the world cup.
Do you think anyone in the world will now overlook the fact they arrest homosexuals because the trains run on time?
I think that's what the Qatar government were hoping for.
I believe that when you think back to Qatar the majority of the population will now think about the World Cup over the stories about the migrant deaths, which is what they wanted.
Or - and to be fair, I am only going by the views of the closest few hundred people I know - most people have enjoyed the world cup but STILL think Qatar is a shit country due to their human rights issues.
So if that's sports washing, they have left a red sock in with their whites.
Just wait for the Champions League final in Doha next.
Followed by Premier League round of 39 in Dubai.
The world cup is just the beginning.
I hope so too.... We can all look forward to all your positive posts again...!!!
Give it a rest mate, you have got your point across! I think the WC has been fantastic in playing terms, and everyone that has been had a positive experience and enjoyed it!.. And a lot different to media is suggesting!
A week to go before all journalists on the payroll roll out their 'actually it's not so bad over here' blog posts/columns and the sportswashing is complete.
Money and blood well spent I am sure.
Right on cue.
What’s funny is you clearly haven’t read the article before getting over excited and going back to quote your own prediction.
"The experience of riding the trains is just as impressive. As an experience it is unfailingly pleasant. Driverless trains glide between stations with nary a bump. They arrive every three minutes (maybe five at 2am) and give you enough time to get on without rushing. “Event team members” on the platforms prevent overcrowding."
Sportswashing in a nutshell. It's funny you clearly don't get why they paid for the World Cup in the first place.
So reporters should just lie about their experience instead？
If anything, this World Cup has shown that sports washing doesn't really work, Qatar's major issues have been highlighted in a way that never would have happened had they not hosted the world cup.
Do you think anyone in the world will now overlook the fact they arrest homosexuals because the trains run on time?
I think that's what the Qatar government were hoping for.
I believe that when you think back to Qatar the majority of the population will now think about the World Cup over the stories about the migrant deaths, which is what they wanted.
Or - and to be fair, I am only going by the views of the closest few hundred people I know - most people have enjoyed the world cup but STILL think Qatar is a shit country due to their human rights issues.
So if that's sports washing, they have left a red sock in with their whites.
Just wait for the Champions League final in Doha next.
Followed by Premier League round of 39 in Dubai.
The world cup is just the beginning.
I hope so too.... We can all look forward to all your positive posts again...!!!
Give it a rest mate, you have got your point across! I think the WC has been fantastic in playing terms, and everyone that has been had a positive experience and enjoyed it!.. And a lot different to media is suggesting!
Probably outweighed by the number dead building the infrastructure putting it all into place but what would I know?
A week to go before all journalists on the payroll roll out their 'actually it's not so bad over here' blog posts/columns and the sportswashing is complete.
Money and blood well spent I am sure.
Right on cue.
What’s funny is you clearly haven’t read the article before getting over excited and going back to quote your own prediction.
"The experience of riding the trains is just as impressive. As an experience it is unfailingly pleasant. Driverless trains glide between stations with nary a bump. They arrive every three minutes (maybe five at 2am) and give you enough time to get on without rushing. “Event team members” on the platforms prevent overcrowding."
Sportswashing in a nutshell. It's funny you clearly don't get why they paid for the World Cup in the first place.
So reporters should just lie about their experience instead？
If anything, this World Cup has shown that sports washing doesn't really work, Qatar's major issues have been highlighted in a way that never would have happened had they not hosted the world cup.
Do you think anyone in the world will now overlook the fact they arrest homosexuals because the trains run on time?
I think that's what the Qatar government were hoping for.
I believe that when you think back to Qatar the majority of the population will now think about the World Cup over the stories about the migrant deaths, which is what they wanted.
Or - and to be fair, I am only going by the views of the closest few hundred people I know - most people have enjoyed the world cup but STILL think Qatar is a shit country due to their human rights issues.
So if that's sports washing, they have left a red sock in with their whites.
Just wait for the Champions League final in Doha next.
Followed by Premier League round of 39 in Dubai.
The world cup is just the beginning.
I hope so too.... We can all look forward to all your positive posts again...!!!
Give it a rest mate, you have got your point across! I think the WC has been fantastic in playing terms, and everyone that has been had a positive experience and enjoyed it!.. And a lot different to media is suggesting!
Probably outweighed by the number dead building the infrastructure putting it all into place but what would I know?
Rather than looking at all the negative stuff, spend some time researching on the positive stuff as well!!
A week to go before all journalists on the payroll roll out their 'actually it's not so bad over here' blog posts/columns and the sportswashing is complete.
Money and blood well spent I am sure.
Right on cue.
What’s funny is you clearly haven’t read the article before getting over excited and going back to quote your own prediction.
"The experience of riding the trains is just as impressive. As an experience it is unfailingly pleasant. Driverless trains glide between stations with nary a bump. They arrive every three minutes (maybe five at 2am) and give you enough time to get on without rushing. “Event team members” on the platforms prevent overcrowding."
Sportswashing in a nutshell. It's funny you clearly don't get why they paid for the World Cup in the first place.
So reporters should just lie about their experience instead？
If anything, this World Cup has shown that sports washing doesn't really work, Qatar's major issues have been highlighted in a way that never would have happened had they not hosted the world cup.
Do you think anyone in the world will now overlook the fact they arrest homosexuals because the trains run on time?
I think that's what the Qatar government were hoping for.
I believe that when you think back to Qatar the majority of the population will now think about the World Cup over the stories about the migrant deaths, which is what they wanted.
Or - and to be fair, I am only going by the views of the closest few hundred people I know - most people have enjoyed the world cup but STILL think Qatar is a shit country due to their human rights issues.
So if that's sports washing, they have left a red sock in with their whites.
Just wait for the Champions League final in Doha next.
Followed by Premier League round of 39 in Dubai.
The world cup is just the beginning.
I hope so too.... We can all look forward to all your positive posts again...!!!
Give it a rest mate, you have got your point across! I think the WC has been fantastic in playing terms, and everyone that has been had a positive experience and enjoyed it!.. And a lot different to media is suggesting!
Probably outweighed by the number dead building the infrastructure putting it all into place but what would I know?
A week to go before all journalists on the payroll roll out their 'actually it's not so bad over here' blog posts/columns and the sportswashing is complete.
Money and blood well spent I am sure.
Right on cue.
What’s funny is you clearly haven’t read the article before getting over excited and going back to quote your own prediction.
"The experience of riding the trains is just as impressive. As an experience it is unfailingly pleasant. Driverless trains glide between stations with nary a bump. They arrive every three minutes (maybe five at 2am) and give you enough time to get on without rushing. “Event team members” on the platforms prevent overcrowding."
Sportswashing in a nutshell. It's funny you clearly don't get why they paid for the World Cup in the first place.
So reporters should just lie about their experience instead？
If anything, this World Cup has shown that sports washing doesn't really work, Qatar's major issues have been highlighted in a way that never would have happened had they not hosted the world cup.
Do you think anyone in the world will now overlook the fact they arrest homosexuals because the trains run on time?
I think that's what the Qatar government were hoping for.
I believe that when you think back to Qatar the majority of the population will now think about the World Cup over the stories about the migrant deaths, which is what they wanted.
Or - and to be fair, I am only going by the views of the closest few hundred people I know - most people have enjoyed the world cup but STILL think Qatar is a shit country due to their human rights issues.
So if that's sports washing, they have left a red sock in with their whites.
Just wait for the Champions League final in Doha next.
Followed by Premier League round of 39 in Dubai.
The world cup is just the beginning.
I hope so too.... We can all look forward to all your positive posts again...!!!
Give it a rest mate, you have got your point across! I think the WC has been fantastic in playing terms, and everyone that has been had a positive experience and enjoyed it!.. And a lot different to media is suggesting!
Probably outweighed by the number dead building the infrastructure putting it all into place but what would I know?
A week to go before all journalists on the payroll roll out their 'actually it's not so bad over here' blog posts/columns and the sportswashing is complete.
Money and blood well spent I am sure.
Right on cue.
What’s funny is you clearly haven’t read the article before getting over excited and going back to quote your own prediction.
"The experience of riding the trains is just as impressive. As an experience it is unfailingly pleasant. Driverless trains glide between stations with nary a bump. They arrive every three minutes (maybe five at 2am) and give you enough time to get on without rushing. “Event team members” on the platforms prevent overcrowding."
Sportswashing in a nutshell. It's funny you clearly don't get why they paid for the World Cup in the first place.
So reporters should just lie about their experience instead？
If anything, this World Cup has shown that sports washing doesn't really work, Qatar's major issues have been highlighted in a way that never would have happened had they not hosted the world cup.
Do you think anyone in the world will now overlook the fact they arrest homosexuals because the trains run on time?
I think that's what the Qatar government were hoping for.
I believe that when you think back to Qatar the majority of the population will now think about the World Cup over the stories about the migrant deaths, which is what they wanted.
Or - and to be fair, I am only going by the views of the closest few hundred people I know - most people have enjoyed the world cup but STILL think Qatar is a shit country due to their human rights issues.
So if that's sports washing, they have left a red sock in with their whites.
Just wait for the Champions League final in Doha next.
Followed by Premier League round of 39 in Dubai.
The world cup is just the beginning.
I hope so too.... We can all look forward to all your positive posts again...!!!
Give it a rest mate, you have got your point across! I think the WC has been fantastic in playing terms, and everyone that has been had a positive experience and enjoyed it!.. And a lot different to media is suggesting!
Probably outweighed by the number dead building the infrastructure putting it all into place but what would I know?
Rather than looking at all the negative stuff, spend some time researching on the positive stuff as well!!
A week to go before all journalists on the payroll roll out their 'actually it's not so bad over here' blog posts/columns and the sportswashing is complete.
Money and blood well spent I am sure.
Right on cue.
What’s funny is you clearly haven’t read the article before getting over excited and going back to quote your own prediction.
"The experience of riding the trains is just as impressive. As an experience it is unfailingly pleasant. Driverless trains glide between stations with nary a bump. They arrive every three minutes (maybe five at 2am) and give you enough time to get on without rushing. “Event team members” on the platforms prevent overcrowding."
Sportswashing in a nutshell. It's funny you clearly don't get why they paid for the World Cup in the first place.
So reporters should just lie about their experience instead？
If anything, this World Cup has shown that sports washing doesn't really work, Qatar's major issues have been highlighted in a way that never would have happened had they not hosted the world cup.
Do you think anyone in the world will now overlook the fact they arrest homosexuals because the trains run on time?
I think that's what the Qatar government were hoping for.
I believe that when you think back to Qatar the majority of the population will now think about the World Cup over the stories about the migrant deaths, which is what they wanted.
Or - and to be fair, I am only going by the views of the closest few hundred people I know - most people have enjoyed the world cup but STILL think Qatar is a shit country due to their human rights issues.
So if that's sports washing, they have left a red sock in with their whites.
Just wait for the Champions League final in Doha next.
Followed by Premier League round of 39 in Dubai.
The world cup is just the beginning.
I hope so too.... We can all look forward to all your positive posts again...!!!
Give it a rest mate, you have got your point across! I think the WC has been fantastic in playing terms, and everyone that has been had a positive experience and enjoyed it!.. And a lot different to media is suggesting!
Probably outweighed by the number dead building the infrastructure putting it all into place but what would I know?
Rather than looking at all the negative stuff, spend some time researching on the positive stuff as well!!
Me researching the positive stuff in Qatar.
1 - have you watched any games ? 2 - have you enjoyed the world cup ?
I think Valley Gary or another poster had the smart of idea of separating the non-football stuff from the tournament thread. Bit strange to come on then here and ask football questions.
If you were to do a pro and cons list though
Pros
You can drink beer People from around the world are enjoying the beautiful game and mixing together in fan zones/subways/grounds in an area far smaller than any previous world cup. Most people who have gone there have had a great time. The Germans are out Various upsets Exciting conclusions to the groups with teams switching between going through and going out
Cons
Thousands died due to human rights being violated.
Maybe it's just me, but one side seems more serious then the other?
This is the least engaged I have been by a WC since 1970. Even the USA without England was more authentic than this.
Not because of human rights abuses, gay people , beer, fan zones, cruise liners or trains.
It just feels like watching someone else playing FIFA.
I've only seen one car with England flags up and no houses. Every other world cup has flags galore. Perhaps it's the weather.
I can't talk for everyone and I wasn't even born then, but isn't '78 is looked back on more for footballing reasons? England not qualifying, Argentina's first world cup etc?
This is the least engaged I have been by a WC since 1970. Even the USA without England was more authentic than this.
Not because of human rights abuses, gay people , beer, fan zones, cruise liners or trains.
It just feels like watching someone else playing FIFA.
I've only seen one car with England flags up and no houses. Every other world cup has flags galore. Perhaps it's the weather.
I can't talk for everyone and I wasn't even born then, but isn't '78 is looked back on more for footballing reasons? England not qualifying, Argentina's first world cup etc?
You’re right , I only found out with the recent Netflix Fifa documentary about the filth that was going on in Argentina and the 1978 World Cup was the first one I remember (8 years old)
@actually@Friend Or Defoe you've been quite generous with your list because some of the positives are sod all to do with Qatar -the football ones - unless someone wants to argue that Saudi, Morocco and Iran did better because of the strong support in the stadiums. Admittedly the aircon seems to have stopped the players getting completely frazzled but no way has the location otherwise got anything to do with the results. On TV I enjoy the matches (and watch more than I planned) but basically I forget where they are happening.
And there are some other less consequential negatives too:
- it's pretty expensive - yes you can drink beer, but at a price, and only terrible beer and mainly in soulless hotel bars. In Stuttgart we drank and ate what we liked, with the locals, as they partied. I expect this was even true in 2018 in Kaliningrad (well not the locals partying...) - this all means that most fans seem to be flying in, going to footie, sleeping, and getting out again. Not much space for getting to know and understand the place and the people better. Sure a lot of fans enjoy most WCs that way, but some at least want to visit the country too. That doesn't really seem to be on the agenda here even for those who want it. - the main reason the players are not frazzled is because of when its taking place. That has fucked up European leagues and possibly the longer term fitness of some of its best players. - the home nation team, and it's "fans", were a hopeless embarrassment
If we are doing the balance sheet I would include under the positives the fact that the fans from Islamic countries have at least had a good crack at a WC, which has up to now been difficult, and they have shown us that they and their teams are no pushovers. Overall though I still think it will go down as a not great WC beyond the football, and a "mistake" to quote..er... Sepp Blatter.
Wouldn’t go as far as saying “most” people are flying in and then flying out again, but would be interested to see the split.
A lot of people I spoke to were staying in Qatar but also taking the chance to go and visit other neighbouring countries like Oman, Bahrain, UAE and Saudi Arabia through choice. The opportunity to visit multiple countries with relative ease during downtime is a plus.
The ability to go to two games a day, and therefore experience more teams/fanbases match day rituals is also a massive plus - one of the biggest ones. Never been done at a World Cup before and unlikely to ever happen again.
To be honest, when you’ve got that sort of party going on everywhere around you then the topic of ‘how much is a beer’ didn’t really seem to feel that important to most people.
Being over there is not my idea of a party. Having over half a stadium full of England with a similar amount pugged up in the local city is my idea of a party.
@actually@Friend Or Defoe you've been quite generous with your list because some of the positives are sod all to do with Qatar -the football ones - unless someone wants to argue that Saudi, Morocco and Iran did better because of the strong support in the stadiums. Admittedly the aircon seems to have stopped the players getting completely frazzled but no way has the location otherwise got anything to do with the results. On TV I enjoy the matches (and watch more than I planned) but basically I forget where they are happening.
And there are some other less consequential negatives too:
- it's pretty expensive - yes you can drink beer, but at a price, and only terrible beer and mainly in soulless hotel bars. In Stuttgart we drank and ate what we liked, with the locals, as they partied. I expect this was even true in 2018 in Kaliningrad (well not the locals partying...) - this all means that most fans seem to be flying in, going to footie, sleeping, and getting out again. Not much space for getting to know and understand the place and the people better. Sure a lot of fans enjoy most WCs that way, but some at least want to visit the country too. That doesn't really seem to be on the agenda here even for those who want it. - the main reason the players are not frazzled is because of when its taking place. That has fucked up European leagues and possibly the longer term fitness of some of its best players. - the home nation team, and it's "fans", were a hopeless embarrassment
If we are doing the balance sheet I would include under the positives the fact that the fans from Islamic countries have at least had a good crack at a WC, which has up to now been difficult, and they have shown us that they and their teams are no pushovers. Overall though I still think it will go down as a not great WC beyond the football, and a "mistake" to quote..er... Sepp Blatter.
I am not sure if the bit in bold means the 'Sportswashing' has been successful or failed !!!
Comments
If anything, this World Cup has shown that sports washing doesn't really work, Qatar's major issues have been highlighted in a way that never would have happened had they not hosted the world cup.
Do you think anyone in the world will now overlook the fact they arrest homosexuals because the trains run on time?
From the very same article:
"...but its construction has carried a human cost" at the beginning.
Further down...
"On 28 February 2016, a construction worker from the Philippines, Juanito B Pardillo, died while working on the metro project. In April of that year the Building and Wood Workers’ International union said that his family were still waiting for an official explanation of what happened, though media reports suggested Pardillo had been helping to excavate a tunnel while it was raining when it collapsed, something that went against safety rules."
Also...
"They are the men who, exclusively it seems according to the foibles of the subcontracting process, fulfil the role of directing tourists in and out of the stations. Working long days, monitoring crowds that manifest only at certain times, it’s a tough gig..."
It's possible to recognise that awarding the World Cup to Qatar was a corrupt disgrace and that their treatment of migrant workers is awful, while also appreciating the coming together of different cultures on a train. Enjoying the latter doesn't mean you endorse the former.
I believe that when you think back to Qatar the majority of the population will now think about the World Cup over the stories about the migrant deaths, which is what they wanted.
As an example - Argentina 1978 is a tournament that carried its share of iconic footballing moments whilst at the same time the stories of the horrendous political situation are also retold time and time again. I wasn’t born for another 9 years, but to this day still read and hear about it often.
The lead up to this World Cup has been the most controversial of possibly any sporting event of all time.
If you think that all just gets forgotten about, and that all of us simpleton football fans and the journalists are therefore “sportswashed” all because people had a good time - then you go ahead and believe that. But it’s a deliberately obtuse way of looking at things.
Followed by Premier League round of 39 in Dubai.
The world cup is just the beginning.
Give it a rest mate, you have got your point across! I think the WC has been fantastic in playing terms, and everyone that has been had a positive experience and enjoyed it!.. And a lot different to media is suggesting!
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Clw03rcgu5R/?igshid=NDk5N2NlZjQ=
Give it a rest about human rights...
Me researching the positive stuff in Qatar.
2 - have you enjoyed the world cup ?
If you were to do a pro and cons list though
Pros
You can drink beer
People from around the world are enjoying the beautiful game and mixing together in fan zones/subways/grounds in an area far smaller than any previous world cup.
Most people who have gone there have had a great time.
The Germans are out
Various upsets
Exciting conclusions to the groups with teams switching between going through and going out
Cons
Thousands died due to human rights being violated.
Maybe it's just me, but one side seems more serious then the other?
This is the least engaged I have been by a WC since 1970. Even the USA without England was more authentic than this.
Not because of human rights abuses, gay people , beer, fan zones, cruise liners or trains.
It just feels like watching someone else playing FIFA.
I've only seen one car with England flags up and no houses. Every other world cup has flags galore. Perhaps it's the weather.
I can't talk for everyone and I wasn't even born then, but isn't '78 is looked back on more for footballing reasons? England not qualifying, Argentina's first world cup etc?
And there are some other less consequential negatives too:
- it's pretty expensive
- yes you can drink beer, but at a price, and only terrible beer and mainly in soulless hotel bars. In Stuttgart we drank and ate what we liked, with the locals, as they partied. I expect this was even true in 2018 in Kaliningrad (well not the locals partying...)
- this all means that most fans seem to be flying in, going to footie, sleeping, and getting out again. Not much space for getting to know and understand the place and the people better. Sure a lot of fans enjoy most WCs that way, but some at least want to visit the country too. That doesn't really seem to be on the agenda here even for those who want it.
- the main reason the players are not frazzled is because of when its taking place. That has fucked up European leagues and possibly the longer term fitness of some of its best players.
- the home nation team, and it's "fans", were a hopeless embarrassment
If we are doing the balance sheet I would include under the positives the fact that the fans from Islamic countries have at least had a good crack at a WC, which has up to now been difficult, and they have shown us that they and their teams are no pushovers. Overall though I still think it will go down as a not great WC beyond the football, and a "mistake" to quote..er... Sepp Blatter.