Media hype? Oh yes. This is a football contest. A sport. Nobody gives a f**k about armbands except a few silly queens and the media (it's a great story). Workers will always be killed on huge projects (I seem to remember deaths in the constructing of the 2012 Olympics). Should barbaric and stupid laws (often religion based) be fought? Yes indeed but in other ways, not in sport or entertainment. I hated the stupid Covid bans ruining tennis. I hated the stupid Russian bans ruining Eurovision. I hate these stupid media stories - only there to boost sales, ratings, circulation. I hate stupid punters falling for it.

JK2006 wrote:
Media hype? Oh yes. This is a football contest. A sport. Nobody gives a f**k about armbands except a few silly queens and the media (it's a great story). Workers will always be killed on huge projects (I seem to remember deaths in the constructing of the 2012 Olympics). Should barbaric and stupid laws (often religion based) be fought? Yes indeed but in other ways, not in sport or entertainment. I hated the stupid Covid bans ruining tennis. I hated the stupid Russian bans ruining Eurovision. I hate these stupid media stories - only there to boost sales, ratings, circulation. I hate stupid punters falling for it.

It's funny that fans were refused entry because they were wearing a rainbow hat.

Stop virtue signalling and you know the Islamic laws etc.

ITV, are moaning about Qatar however they are happy to take ratings and ad revenue. The pundits are happy taking home the money and accepting the local accommodation.

It is fascinating to watch the fuss unfolding. We are so confused, and this World Cup will I think increasingly illustrate this.

The contrast between the Iran teams grown up bravery in not singing their anthem and our hypocritical, cherry-picking and petty approach to "human rights" couldn't be starker.

Yes it is just a game so get on with it now. If the pampered West was serious about 'uman rights it would never have awarded the competition to fucking Qatar!

At this point (NOT now) all professionals, commentators and hangers on involved had a clear choice, either of which is respectable: refuse to take any part, or take the view it is just sport, take part, and make no comments about human rights. Separate the two.

Instead we have endless hand-wringing about arm bands, sermons and solemnly raised eyebrows from Linekar and others raking it in from the Cup. It is almost unbearable to watch.

But look at our priorities, too, and the sacred cow we won't touch. Women's freedom and gay rights - yes, of course. Solid ground. But when will the self-righteous chatterati start going on about the death penalty for "blasphemy"? Being fucking murdered for "insulting" a bronze-age fiction.

But no we can't touch religion. Religion good. And also, we might end up like that Mr Rushdie chap...

So nod and a wink to the wise - we can keep our "good people" badges and watch the football as well! Just look solemn ocassionally, lest we forget, but don't mention religion.

Ever.