Qatar fails first test.

Well it really doesn't matter what they do between now and 2022 as i'm sure all the fifa knobs have already cashed their cheques (bribes) and besides, how many of them will be around in 11 yrs when the shit really hits the fan?
By then it will be another load of freeloaders running the game who will wash their hands of any wrong doing whilst doing the very same thing themselves with the 2034 tournament

Off topic but this makes Japan unofficial world Champions

Japan have made great strides in both football and rugby
Great to see them rewarded for their excellent national association (motto Green Grass and A Ball Expands the Circle of Friendship) and individual endeavour
To get into the top two (professional) leagues, clubs need to be backed by their local government, a community of fans and have to have corporate sponsors rather than a parent company or a corporation.
Japan has very strong links with Brazil due to migrations there in the late 19th century, so they have many excellent Brazilian players in their leagues
I have watched a lot of Yokohama matches (my local team when staying over there), spurred on by their success in the late 90's. Kashima continue to be the Man U of J football, sadly.

PS I like the fact that Japanese association changed their name from shu kyu (kick ball) to sak ka (soccer) after WW2 occupation

old thread revisited .. according to today's 'Times' .. 'thousands' of migrant workers have died during the building of the World Cup stadia .. THOUSANDS !! .. even the ancient Roman emperors would have balked at that number .. too late now, BUT as we all know, what a disgrace it was to give this medieval country such a prestigious tournament

Taxi_Lad said:

Lincsaddick said:

old thread revisited .. according to today's 'Times' .. 'thousands' of migrant workers have died during the building of the World Cup stadia .. THOUSANDS !! .. even the ancient Roman emperors would have balked at that number .. too late now, BUT as we all know, what a disgrace it was to give this medieval country such a prestigious tournament

Died of what??

Boredom.

Kane also having his say on it yet a former England captain is happy to be paid millions by Qatar to say how wonderful it all is. That said Beckham will stick his face on anything for a few quid.

England captain Harry Kane wants to 'shine light' on Qatar issues - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60852693

Like with a lot of things nowerdays this absolutely pisses me off. Yet nought gets done and those responsible are left unpunished. 

Wonder how the god botherers reconcile the existence of their man in the sky with the shittiest countries getting all the resources...  

ShootersHillGuru said:

SoundAsa£ said:

Taxi_Lad said:

Lincsaddick said:

old thread revisited .. according to today's 'Times' .. 'thousands' of migrant workers have died during the building of the World Cup stadia .. THOUSANDS !! .. even the ancient Roman emperors would have balked at that number .. too late now, BUT as we all know, what a disgrace it was to give this medieval country such a prestigious tournament

Died of what??

Boredom.

They died due to poor levels and standards of health and safety in the construction of the stadia and infrastructure required to host the World Cup. Absolutely fucking disgusting that this tournament was given to Quatar and those responsible for doing so are 100% complicit with those deaths. Appalling working conditions and at least 6500 deaths. Probably much higher.

Also disgusting that FIFA is willing to force a country to change it;s laws to provide tax breaks and protection to FIFA officials, but would baulk at the idea of requiring a host nation meets certain H&S standards, even if only related to construction of venues and staging of the tournament.

QatarNapsy said:

[cite]Posted By: Off_it[/cite]Why am I not surprised.

Imagine travelling out there from Japan/Australia.Wherever with your ticket for the final and NOT getting in. Shambolic.

2 aussies who flew over for the match ended up being arrested and put in jail for jumping over the fence into the stadium after being refused entry with their valid tickets.

Friends of mine just walked straight into the ground without even showing their tickets, found people sitting in their seats and were moved to the VIP area above the Emir and ended up watching the game from armchairs in the stand!!

Piss up & Brewery spring to mind.

So you have tickets to watch your team win and book their place in the Finals. You end up in jail having missed the game which your team has lost. I suppose that is the ultimate definition of having a bad day.

Boycot it and play it elsewhere next year, f ck ittttt.

It was possible to change various international sporting events for Covid, so why not for this?

Be lovely to see FIFA and Qatar sort that one out n all

addick1956 said:

Garrymanilow said:

JaShea99 said:

Didn’t this story do the rounds a few years back with tales of workers having their passports taken etc?

Yes, they take their passports so they can't leave and withhold their salaries making them, effectively, slaves. It's disgusting.

 I read that too. If true quite why we are all still going there for this contrived tournament,  I have no idea. 

Because money makes the world go round