World Cup 2018

[Grey Fox]

Following the shooting down of the Malaysian plane and the ongoing trouble in the Ukraine I can not see how Russia can still host the next World Cup. I can see countries like Holland and USA boycotting the competition like the boycott of the Moscow Olympics. IMHO pressure by countries should be put on FIFA to threaten a change of host if Putin fails to sort this out.

As we all know FIFA are gutless, but alongside the Quatar farce there are running headlong in to an almighty mess if they don't act soon. One of the problems I can see they would have, is how will they arrange the refunds for all the bribes paid out without being caught? I will give huge kudos to the first politician or FIFA rep who threatens to sanction Russia and Putin.

 

[Gassin's finest]

There's nothing wrong with Russia hosting a football tournament, as they are a footballing nation, with historical teams, and a guaranteed football legacy. Also football/sport IMO should never be confused or associated with politics.

 

[CrankyPants90]

By that same reckoning Israel should not be allowed in any tournaments or Israeli teams not allowed in UCL. But we do not see the same kind of enthusiasm when it comes to that eh? Fascinating!

 

[Grey Fox]

There's nothing wrong with Russia hosting a football tournament, as they are a footballing nation, with historical teams, and a guaranteed football legacy. Also football/sport IMO should never be confused or associated with politics.

Sorry Gassin, but I have to disagree, sport has always had a political agenda and because of Russia's standing in football that this would really make them sit up and think. Hundreds of people are dying in this conflict that Putin started and thousands made homeless which I am afraid is far more important than football. There are a number of potential alternative hosts that would take the competition on and this would be a much more powerful weapon than arbitary financial sanctions on a few Russian millionares who have probably moved their money by now anyway.

 

[Grey Fox]

By that same reckoning Israel should not be allowed in any tournaments or Israeli teams not allowed in UCL. But we do not see the same kind of enthusiasm when it comes to that eh? Fascinating!

I would be up for that too, see my post above, sport is a powerful sanction.

 

[Gassin's finest]

Sorry Gassin, but I have to disagree, sport has always had a political agenda and because of Russia's standing in football that this would really make them sit up and think. Hundreds of people are dying in this conflict that Putin started and thousands made homeless which I am afraid is far more important than football. There are a number of potential alternative hosts that would take the competition on and this would be a much more powerful weapon than arbitary financial sanctions on a few Russian millionares who have probably moved their money by now anyway.

I disagree in turn I'm afraid. The people running the sport may have a political agenda, but sport itself does not and should not have anything to do with politics. If the UN do something like step in and force FIFA to take the world cup away from a nation, or if FIFA take the steps themselves, they set a precedent. It's saying that a country cannot have the opportunity to partake in/host a sporting event based on the misdemeanours of a government that claims to represent them.

And if they do that, then they should have started with Brazil, which has it's fair share of social atrocities. I also doubt that a football tournament would have any weight in a war situation.

 

[Real_madyidd]

I would be up for that too, see my post above, sport is a powerful sanction.

Where do you draw the line? Do we say killing people is bad but exploitation of people is fine? What about counties exploiting third world labour, is that OK? What about Manus island? I think you could easily find yourself in a situation where countries are not attending because they don't like something the host is doing.

 

[CrankyPants90]

I would be up for that too, see my post above, sport is a powerful sanction.

Which, in turn would lead to WCs being held in a handful of countries, say Western and Central Europe in general and US and few in Pacific Ocean. That stinks a bit like elitist behaviour.

Besides, not like any of these countries have had a perfectly good human rights record. Roll back half a century, and you would find that human rights exploitation was the norm for more than half of the said countries at that time. With regards to the present, as long as you are pals with the Yanks.... *whispers WMD and Iraq*, one is standing up for what is right and humane clearly. (In case you did not get it, sarcasm).

Point being, sports and politics are different. It is a different version of warfare, one which does not lead to death and destruction. Why take that pleasure away?

I quote @Gassin's finest "The people running the sport may have a political agenda, but sport itself does not and should not have anything to do with politics."

 

[Grey Fox]

I too think sport should not be political, but you are being very naive if you think sporting sanctions and boycots do not have an affect. The boycott of Moscow by a number of countries helped secure the ending of the cold war and the bringing down of the Berlin wall, South Africa' apartied was brought down with the help of sporting boycotts and when it was they were rewarded with the WC and the Rugby WC.

Like or not FIFA is a political body, a corrupt one, but still political. With a competition that is run only every four years there are plenty of countries that could and should host the WC before countries that actively seek war to further their aims. Why not Australia or the Scandinian countries or even the UK?

If countries such as Russia are seen to be rewarded with prestigious events even though they are intent on killing innocent people then there is no morale compass anymore. I am sure if the troubles continue then I will be very suprised if countries such as Holland don't take their own action in boycotting the WC.

 

[cwy21]

In a year this will be

Person A: "Remember when that plane got shot down by a missile?"
Person B: "Yeah I think so. That was something. What do you want in your coffee?"

Russia isn't losing the WC over this.

 

[hellava_tough]

Sorry Gassin, but I have to disagree, sport has always had a political agenda and because of Russia's standing in football that this would really make them sit up and think. Hundreds of people are dying in this conflict that Putin started and thousands made homeless which I am afraid is far more important than football. There are a number of potential alternative hosts that would take the competition on and this would be a much more powerful weapon than arbitary financial sanctions on a few Russian millionares who have probably moved their money by now anyway.

The Russian leadership, as bad as they are (and they are some seriously evil individuals) don't have a monopoly on spreading misery in the world.

Politicians in USA, Britain, France, China, Brazil, Columbia, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, etc, etc, etc all have blood on their hands.

Don't turn this into a Good Guy Vs Bad Guy Cold War face-off.

 

[hellava_tough]

I too think sport should not be political, but you are being very naive if you think sporting sanctions and boycots do not have an affect. The boycott of Moscow by a number of countries helped secure the ending of the cold war and the bringing down of the Berlin wall, South Africa' apartied was brought down with the help of sporting boycotts and when it was they were rewarded with the WC and the Rugby WC.

Like or not FIFA is a political body, a corrupt one, but still political. With a competition that is run only every four years there are plenty of countries that could and should host the WC before countries that actively seek war to further their aims. Why not Australia or the Scandinian countries or even the UK?

If countries such as Russia are seen to be rewarded with prestigious events even though they are intent on killing innocent people then there is no morale compass anymore. I am sure if the troubles continue then I will be very suprised if countries such as Holland don't take their own action in boycotting the WC.

Both Australia and the UK have been involved with the enterprise of war to further their political aims.

I don't think I have to give you an example of the UK doing this, but Australia was involved in the Afghan and Iraq wars, as well as allowing the US to establish military bases in their country.

Denmark, Norway and Iceland are members of NATO too; in fact the secretary general of NATO is Danish.

I guess we could give it to Sweden, although they are number 11 on the list of international arms exporters in the world.

I think you're going to struggle to find a country with the footballing infrastructure to hold a world cup, with no blood on their hands.

 

[ItsBoris]

To be honest I'm very skeptical of the Western media's caricature of Putin as this evil villain, especially after the propaganda they've been peddling with regard to the events taking place in the West Bank. Very little mention in the US media of the civilian death tolls in Palestine as a result of Israeli military operations.

 

[Danners9]

I too think sport should not be political, but you are being very naive if you think sporting sanctions and boycots do not have an affect. The boycott of Moscow by a number of countries helped secure the ending of the cold war and the bringing down of the Berlin wall, South Africa' apartied was brought down with the help of sporting boycotts and when it was they were rewarded with the WC and the Rugby WC.

Like or not FIFA is a political body, a corrupt one, but still political. With a competition that is run only every four years there are plenty of countries that could and should host the WC before countries that actively seek war to further their aims. Why not Australia or the Scandinian countries or even the UK?

It shouldn't be, but it has long been associated with showing off the power of empires. 1936 Olympics in Berlin, for example. The Rugby World Cup in RSA showed the 'togetherness' of the country. The Emirates states throwing money at sporting events (and events in general, the World Expo thing in Dubai...) to get global exposure and change the perception of the Arab world. And Putin showing off his Russia, first with Sochi and with the World Cup in the future.

Yugoslavia were banned from the European Championships because of the war (makes sense..), then Denmark stepped in and won it. National teams are frequently 'banned' by FIFA for political interference, Nigeria most recently.

If Putin really is intent on reuniting the Soviet Union, has has been suggested in various news reports over the past few months, then the World Cup in 2018 will be a nice way to show how great it is and great HE is as a leader.

Much like Qatar, if sponsors and major teams back out then FIFA will be forced to act. The one thing they care about most is money. Money for them.

 

[Grey Fox]

It shouldn't be, but it has long been associated with showing off the power of empires. 1936 Olympics in Berlin, for example. The Rugby World Cup in RSA showed the 'togetherness' of the country. The Emirates states throwing money at sporting events (and events in general, the World Expo thing in Dubai...) to get global exposure and change the perception of the Arab world. And Putin showing off his Russia, first with Sochi and with the World Cup in the future.

Yugoslavia were banned from the European Championships because of the war (makes sense..), then Denmark stepped in and won it. National teams are frequently 'banned' by FIFA for political interference, Nigeria most recently.

If Putin really is intent on reuniting the Soviet Union, has has been suggested in various news reports over the past few months, then the World Cup in 2018 will be a nice way to show how great it is and great HE is as a leader.

Much like Qatar, if sponsors and major teams back out then FIFA will be forced to act. The one thing they care about most is money. Money for them.

At last someone who understands what I was trying to get at with my OP

 

[tototoner]

If all Russian athletes are banned from the Olympics after the WADA report as seems likely, then will that have a knock on effect for them hosting the world cup.

 

[spurs]

BBC says ~ 8 footballers Directly involved. Head of Russian FA has been directly implicated.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/36823453
Racism, corruption, hooliganism, doping.....
I'd love them yo move the WC but can't see it happening sadly

 

[Gbspurs]

BBC says ~ 8 footballers Directly involved. Head of Russian FA has been directly implicated.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/36823453
Racism, corruption, hooliganism, doping.....
I'd love them yo move the WC but can't see it happening sadly

They should just to send a message. We could host that World Cup tomorrow if asked.

 

[tototoner]

They should just to send a message. We could host that World Cup tomorrow if asked.

If the WC2018 is moved it will be to England or USA

 

[Spurger King]

Pav was probably on skunk.