WC Qatar 2022

[Keshwardoost]

The funniest thing is they still allow beer for the people with the special hospitality (read VIP) tickets.
Basically, they're saying, you can only drink beer if you're rich.

Another sign of england crashing out in the groupstage this time. No beer = grumpy fans and reporters after not recieving the everyday dose of alcohol.. Half the squad will probably sleep poorly and be shaky aswell!

It oooover - England! 😁😅

[shayan_esteghlali]

We need to bring some Iranian Saaghis to Doha

[snowleopard]

Very powerful remarks by FIFA President Gianni Infantino: https://www.theguardian.com/football...orld-cup-qatar

His arguments signify the western media bias and western double standard when it comes to others. Here is the full article:
I feel gay, disabled … like a woman too!’: Infantino makes bizarre attack on critics

• ‘Don’t criticise Qatar,’ Infantino tells press conference in Doha
• Fifa president accuses western critics of hypocrisy and racism

The Fifa president, Gianni Infantino, has accused western critics of Qatar’s human rights record of staggering hypocrisy and deliberate racism in an extraordinary attack in Doha.

In a 57-minute diatribe which frequently drew gasps of astonishment, Infantino said that European nations should apologise for acts committed in their own histories, rather than focussing on migrant workers’ issues in Qatar. He insisted the country had reformed beyond all recognition since winning the right to host the World Cup.

“Today I feel Qatari,” he began. “Today I feel Arabic. Today I feel African. Today I feel gay. Today I feel disabled. Today I feel [like] a migrant worker.”

The Swiss-born Infantino then compared his struggles growing up with red hair and freckles as a child of migrant workers as helping him understand what ordinary Qataris were going through.

“Of course I am not Qatari, I am not an Arab, I am not African, I am not gay, I am not disabled,” he added. “But I feel like it, because I know what it means to be discriminated [against], to be bullied, as a foreigner in a foreign country. As a child I was bullied – because I had red hair and freckles, plus I was Italian, so imagine.”

Later it was pointed out that he had missed out half the world’s population. “I feel like a woman too!” he added.

Last year the Guardian reported that at least 6,500 migrant workers have died in Qatar since preparations for the World Cup began. Infantino insisted, however, that Fifa had been a guiding light in helping Qatar improve the situation for migrant workers by scrapping the kafala system that barred workers from changing jobs without their employer’s permission, introducing a minimum wage and heat protections – before accusing the west of being hypocritical.

We have been told many, many lessons from some Europeans, from the western world,” he said. “I think for what we Europeans have been doing the last 3,000 years we should be apologising for the next 3,000 years before starting to give moral lessons to people.”
England and Wales plan to defy Fifa with OneLove armbands at World Cup

Read more
Infantino pointed out that 25,000 migrants had died trying to get into Europe since 2014, before drawing a comparison with how migrant workers are treated by Qatar. “Hundreds of thousands of workers come and earn, they earn 10 times more than in their own countries, and they help their families survive,” he said. “And they do it in a legal way. We in Europe close our borders and we don’t practically allow many workers from these countries to work legally.”

He added: “If Europe would really care about the destiny of these young people, Europe could do as Qatar did, create some legal channels, where at least a number, a percentage of these workers could come. This moral lesson, one-sided, it is just hypocrisy. I wonder why nobody recognises the progress that has been made since 2016?”

Infantino also insisted that LGBTQ+ rights would be protected in Qatar during the World Cup. “They have confirmed and I can confirm that everyone is welcome. If you have a person here and there who says the opposite, it’s not the opinion of the country, it’s certainly not the opinion of Fifa,” he said.

“Like the workers, these are processes,” he added. “You want to stay at home and say how bad they are, these Arabs, these Muslims, because it’s not allowed to be publicly gay. I believe it should be allowed. But it is a process.

“If someone thinks that hammering and criticising something will achieve something, well I can tell you it will be exactly the opposite because the action will be to close more doors

Infantino also made light of the late decision to ban alcohol from stadiums just 48 hours before the tournament kicks off. “If this is the biggest issue we have for the World Cup then I will resign immediately and go to the beach to relax,” he said.

“Let me first assure you that every decision taken at this World Cup is a joint decision between Qatar and Fifa. There will be many fan zones where you can buy alcohol in Qatar and fans can simultaneously drink alcohol. I think if for three hours a day you cannot drink a beer, you will survive.” To acquiesce to Macron’s call to stay silent on Qatar would be a crime in itself

Read more
He continued: “The same rules apply in France, Spain, Portugal and Scotland.Here it has become a big thing, because it is a Muslim country? I don’t know why. We tried and that is why I give you the late change of policy. We tried to see if it was possible.”

Infantino also insisted that any criticism of this World Cup should be directed at him and not Qatar. “If you need to criticise anybody, don’t put pressure on the players, the coaches. You want to criticise. You can crucify me. I’m here for that. Don’t criticise anyone. Don’t criticise Qatar. Let people enjoy this World Cup.

“Do we want to continue to spit on the others because they look different, or they feel different? We defend human rights. We do it our way. We obtain results. We got women fans in Iran. The Women’s League was created in Sudan. Let’s celebrate. Don’t divide.”

The media conference ended with the Fifa director of media relations, Bryan Swanson, addressing the room. Swanson, a former Sky Sports reporter, said: “I am sitting here as a gay man in Qatar. We have received assurances that everyone will be welcome and I believe everyone will be.

“Just because he [Infantino] is not gay, does not mean he does not care. He does. You see the public side and I see the private side. I have thought long and hard about whether I should say this. I do feel strongly about it.

“We care about everyone at Fifa. I have a number of gay colleagues. I am fully aware of the debate and fully respect people’s opinions. When he says we are inclusive, he means it.”

[OFFSIDE_1]

Another sign of england crashing out in the groupstage this time. No beer = grumpy fans and reporters after not recieving the everyday dose of alcohol.. Half the squad will probably sleep poorly and be shaky aswell!

It oooover - England! 😁😅

oh, I’m sure they’ll find ways. I bet all those Starbucks coffee cups will have anything in them except coffee

[diz]

I have a few questions...

[diz]

Totally random thought:

The WC opener between Qatar and Ecuador pits two teams from some of the extreme conditions on earth.

Qatar temps are some of the hottest in the world, and Ecuador is a high altitude nation. Both teams will be quite conditioned for extreme heat conditions of Qatar. I expect a high pace opening match, but will be interesting to see some of the Euro teams go 90 minutes in the Qatar heat/humdity.

[oracle]

Benzema and sade mane to miss the wc

[Keshwardoost]

Benzema and sade mane to miss the wc

Wow huge blow for specially senegal. But for Iran in round of 16, when CQ gets his sweet revenge on penalties vs Senegal, Mane was 100% one of their penalty takers..

[Keshwardoost]

Totally random thought:

The WC opener between Qatar and Ecuador pits two teams from some of the extreme conditions on earth.

Qatar temps are some of the hottest in the world, and Ecuador is a high altitude nation. Both teams will be quite conditioned for extreme heat conditions of Qatar. I expect a high pace opening match, but will be interesting to see some of the Euro teams go 90 minutes in the Qatar heat/humdity.

There is a clip of english players gassed infront of custom fanns cooling of during practice. 😅 maybe skocic june saunacamp will benefit our players after all. Imagine english players going on our junecamp if they cant handle qatar heat in november 🤣

[oracle]

Wow huge blow for specially senegal. But for Iran in round of 16, when CQ gets his sweet revenge on penalties vs Senegal, Mane was 100% one of their penalty takers..

Hope to play benzama less France in qf

[ace_of_spades]

Anyone in Doha? Where are we gathering tonight?

[Keshwardoost]

Ecuador Qatar game starts in 6 hours, Iran vs England starts in 27 hours 🥳

[Keshwardoost]

No haja maja for me this is still the world cup song, best one so far.

[Persian2845]

Any PFDC meet ups happening in Doha?

[Medzdidz]

BBC using that remix of an Iranian song from
FIFA for a video package just.