The decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar didn’t bother me in particular, for me, World Cups are a chance to watch great footballers playing for teams I don’t have a vested interest in. That changed when reports of hundreds of deaths of foreign migrants, allowed in to build the infrastructure required to host the tournament.
The Indian embassy in Qatar report that the death rate of their nationals involved in construction projects in Qatar is reaching epidemic levels. 233 died in 2010, 239 in 2011, 237 in 2013 and 241 in 2013. 24 died in January this year, a total of 998 since the beginning of 2010. This is a blight on humanity.
The Guardian revealed that 197 Nepalese died in 2012 and 185 died in 2013. Many of the deaths are no characterised as classic construction accidents, the heat and environmental conditions, together with the lack of facilities for immigrants, mean many die of ‘natural’ causes, including heart failure, there are other nationals there too, also dying in alarming numbers.
Labour MP, Jim Murphy, last month said, “Some of the practices we know are taking place in Qatar amount to forced labour, and there are widespread concerns that the death toll could reach well into the thousands if nothing is done.” The International Trade Union Confederation estimate (without needing to extrapolate greatly) up to 4,000 workers could die before the country is ready to host the tournament.
The prospect of a sea of blood on the pitch has not been enough to convince Fifa to call a halt to the slaughter, or at least use the threat of withdrawal to ensure migrants experience safe and humane living and working conditions.
As the tournament draws nearer, pressure groups will become better organised, but by that time, many more will have died. As fans, or, in this instance, to adopt our more effective role as consumers of TV and companies who sponsor the tournament, we have a lot of work to do, and we need to start now.
Before Fifa act they will need a lot of encouragement from sponsors, unhappy at the prospect of their brands being associated with a death trade, and they will need approval from the lawyers. Qatar ‘invested’ hugely in football as they were busy vacuuming up votes, including buying real estate on the front of Barcelona’s shirts, once regarded as an ethically responsible club. The platform association with UNICEF looks like blatant opportunism.
Today’s Telegraph offers Fifa a chance to call a halt to the project. They allege former Fifa vice president, Jack Warner and his family, were paid $2m just weeks after Qatar were awarded the tournament. The Qatar authorities deny wrongdoing.
This is perhaps the most important article concerning the football industry in decades as it opens a door to stop the despair of thousands of workers living in abject poverty and mortal danger. According to the Telegraph, law enforcement agencies are already active on this issue. They need to quickly establish if the Qatar bid was assisted by criminal activity before the tournament can be withdrawn. The danger is that irrespective of what law enforcement agencies uncover, or who ultimately goes to jail, there is so much illicit cash floating around Fifa that those in positions of power will protect their paymasters.
Before this happens, you, me, our clubs, and whoever cares from the various football associations, must organise and turn up the pressure on the criminals with their snouts in the Fifa trough. If we pass up on this opportunity, we could wait decades for the next chance to rid the top of our game of criminals.
Seville – The Celtic Movement is available now:
“Of course we’d loved Blackburn, Stuttgart, Liverpool etc, but with twenty minutes to go in Oporto, I sat with my stomach recreating a range of football related sinking feelings from the past. You know, being told I was ‘rubbish’ by the high school team prima donna as another of his cannonball passes rocketed out for a shy under my foot, or the time I ran home from primary school to watch Celtic lose to…. someone…on a black and white television during the seventies. I’ve never wanted to find out who we lost to or what year it was. The memory is more intriguing left blurry like footage of the moon landings.”
Get yours here:
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Vmhan
Just got to my desk and reading back saw your wonderful offer. I ordered four tickets through Joe and he is keeping them for me. Hope to bring the brother and two nephews along. Again thanks for thinking about me. See you there.
By the way picking up a new car on Friday. Last three letters of registration by coincidence are VMH.
Born and formative years in Faifley Clydebank. First school Holy Communion etc St Joeseph’s. That’s me in happy St Joe’s day everybody
HH PB1888
http://www.invernessreds.co.uk/police-rejected-original-red-army-display/
pesky terrorist lovin’ sheep, down from the highlands, spreading their bile. The law must be upheld.
I take it the Zombies are not boycotting Dundee United games this season?
Friday, February 28th, 2014
Gulf and Western Powers Help Islamists in Syria to Persecute Christians: Convert, Obey or Die
Murad Makhmudov and Lee Jay Walker
Modern Tokyo Times
The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) issued a directive on Christians to abide by Islamic concepts of dhimmitude or face death. Of course, Christians under the Syrian government and leadership of President Bashar al-Assad are free to worship freely, join the armed forces and participate throughout Syrian society. However, the policies of major Gulf and Western powers along with the connivance of Turkey have enabled various Islamist terrorist groups to spread throughout Syria.
Christians internationally must be foolish to trust their own Western governments because the same reality keeps on occurring. After all, Northern Cyprus, Iraq, Kosovo and the small minority of Christians in Libya will all testify to the anti-Christian reality after Western powers meddled (Biafrans, East Timorese and others can equally testify). Syria is following suit and if the armed forces of this nation and allies in Hezbollah fail to protect the people of Syria from Takfiri Islamist fanatics; then the dye is cast for all minorities in Syria – irrespective if Alawite, Christian, Druze or Shia. Similarly, Sunni Islam will be crushed because of Saudi inspired Salafists destroying the indigenous Sunni faith that is based on respect in Syria. Indeed, several Sunni Muslim clerics have been killed by various terrorist organizations that are supported by outside nations.
ISIS is a mirror of religious hatred that can be found throughout Saudi Arabia where not one single Christian church is allowed and whereby apostates face death. Of course, this doesn’t worry Western powers because this reality existed from the outset of the nation state of Saudi Arabia. In other words, human rights don’t even come a poor second when it comes to Saudi Arabia. On the contrary, they don’t even enter the Western agenda therefore ISIS is a brutal mirror to the reality of Saudi Arabia.
According to the BBC the new ISIS edicts specify that: “Christians must not make renovations to churches, display crosses or other religious symbols outside churches, ring church bells or pray in public.”
“The statement said the group had met Christian representatives and offered them three choices – they could convert to Islam, accept ISIS’ conditions, or reject their control and risk being killed.”
The leaders of America, France and the United Kingdom must be proud because a senior Saudi cleric stated he wanted to cleanse Christians and now the above nations are helping to do so. After all, the Syria armed forces are fighting on many fronts because of the combined meddling of America, France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Kingdom. If these nations didn’t send military arms and enable terrorist ratlines throughout NATO Turkey, Jordan and parts of Lebanon to enter Syria based on their respective networks; then today all religious minorities would be free from dhimmitude and extermination. One can only imagine how Alawites and the Shia must be feeling because various Takfiri terrorist groups desire to annihilate these religious minorities in Syria. Indeed, it is true to say that ISIS hate the Alawites and the Shia to a much higher degree than they hate Christians and this says everything about Takfiri mindsets.
BBC continues in the same article by stating “A jihadist group in Syria has demanded that Christians in the northern city of Raqqa pay a levy in gold and accept curbs on their faith, or face death.”
Prior to outside nations meddling in Syria the government of this nation took in vast numbers of refugees from Iraq. Of course, the Syrian government welcomed all Iraqi nationals with open arms irrespective if they were Sunni, Shia, Christian or whatever faith – or no faith. Likewise, in government controlled areas that are protected by the armed forces of Syria you will find the rich mosaic of this nation mingling together just like prior to outside Gulf and Western meddling.
The Christian population in Raqqa was only minor prior to Takfiri jihadists taking over this city. However, Christians left behind in Raqqa now fully understand the concept of dhimmitude because it is being forced upon them. If America, France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Kingdom, stopped supporting the demise of the Syrian government, then clearly the armed forces of Syria could retake Raqqa.
In other words, Christians today in Syria are being persecuted based on the policies of major Western powers and the government of Turkey. Nobody expects feudal monarchs in Saudi Arabia and Qatar to care about the plight of Christians. After all, in Saudi Arabia the Christian faith is illegal. However, why are powerful Western nations siding with “the wrong side of history?”
Jungle Jim.
“Stalin`s first name was Joseph and I have heard of him. Do I get to celebrate St Joseph`s Day”
————————————————————————————————————
Goebbels first name was Joseph and I have also heard of him.
Do I also get to celebrate St Joseph’s day ?
HH.
I popped into the Dundee Untd. Daft website, and the majority in there are saying 10,000 of them max for the semi at thems midden, and it seems that the majority are saying it could be lower, the main reason being the safety factor of thems blaming Untd. For there downfall, a few said we know what we are going into and it ain’t gonny be a family day, so for a start no kids, thems just ruin every thing there toxic name is involved in, honestly, they are the dregs of humanity, lurking Huns..GIRUYs.
I once interviewed a Russian General. I wanted to focus on the 60s and 70s. He was doing me a huge favour even talking to me so out of respect I had to shut up and let him start. He spent the next hour talking about The Great Patriotic War. WWII to the rest of us. We did get to talking about the later decades but not before he went into all the detail of how Russia views herself as constantly surrounded, encroached upon and threatened.
So they lost the Cold War. Their natural resources have enabled them to win much of the subsequent peace in Europe ( love the irony – un intended – of the CL Gazprom ads) yet still they’ve had to watch while USA and uk have done as they’ve seen fit and ‘just’. Ukraine/Crimea is a lot closer to them than Iraq is to us.
I’m not saying it’s right. But I am saying it’s how it is. The more so given how Stalin scattered Russian populations all over the Soviet Union.
And to hear William Hague threaten punitive actions from a nation that is in the process of building 2 aircraft carriers, mothballing one and has no planes for the other….. Let’s just say it’ll be laughter not fear that causes the Tena Ladies Moment in the kremlin.
Fling in a similarly emboldened china and the perennial India v Pakistan and we live in a pretty scary place. Not to mention Israel v the entire Middle East and Shia v Sunni.
Maybe that’s why we all need a jobo Balde moment every morning to cheer us up!!!
HH jamesgang
tonydonnelly67 08:54 on 19 March, 2014
That petition you stuck up yesterday – did you do that for a laugh?
Can anyone confirm if there is an u20’s fixture tomorrow v them at Ibrokes
Greenpinata
08:51 on
19 March, 2014
Jungle Jim.
“Stalin`s first name was Joseph and I have heard of him. Do I get to celebrate St Joseph`s Day”
———————————————————————————————————–
Joseph`s second name wasn`t Stalin.
And Josip Tito`s name wasn`t Tito.
And don`t talk to me about Manitas de Plata.
jungle jim
08:41 on 19 March, 2014
JJ. I think you’ll find that United have been allocated a portakabin in Larkhall as their changing rooms. All in the name of SFA balance and sporting integrity don’t ye know!
HH jamesgang
Hopefully I can qualify for – Joe day ?
I was there and witnessed wee Joe Miller scoring the winner v’s Rangers and destroying the huns planned ‘treble’ celebrations lol
Does that count ?
Gone…….
Lol
https://www.facebook.com/marybruce.wilson/posts/10200778316780567
steinreignedsupreme
09:01 on 19 March, 2014
tonydonnelly67 08:54 on 19 March, 2014
That petition you stuck up yesterday – did you do that for a laugh?
_______________________
And we are going where with this?
Nigel Spackman on 5live…’Good to see Rangers on the way back to the SPL. They’ve been badly missed. Ally has done a great job’.
The Sevco spin by our MSM has worked to the extent that most of the media down south, and I include Alan Brazil, have bought into the big lie. More importantly though, the same cover-up has definitely had an adverse effect on things up here where it matters, ie, paving the way for spivs Green and Whyte, the subsequent obliteration of RFC 1872, and the continual brainwashing of the peepil into thinking progress is being made.
Keep up the good work Jackson and Chico.
jamesgang
08:57 on
19 March, 2014
The most fascinating thing has been the fact that former Soviet K.G.B. members and highly placed Soviet military figures of that era are now prepared to come clean on cold war events.
I agree with you about how alarming are recent global events.
Fruit and veg. man on Radio Scotland bemoans the fact that in Scotland there are more supermarkets per square person than any where else in Europe.
For all the Joes.
http://www.st-joseph-medal.com/patron-st-joseph.html
tonydonnelly67 09:07 on 19 March, 2014
“And we are going where with this?”
I was wondering why you stuck up the petition.
It seems like only yesterday we were all laughing at the Zombies trying to get the venue for the final changed because they thought Celtic were going to be in it.
From your response it seems it wasn’t a joke.
Marakesh
That’s why I stopped listening to talk sport two years ago, Alan Brazil became another soup taking, lick spittle Uncle Tom.
macjay1 for Neil Lennon.
I know I have a thumping headache, but I am baffled, in fact even more baffled than normal!
Manitas de Plata : What has a guitarist who is not called Joseph got to do with the name Joseph.??
Probably a logical answer but thought I’d ask anyway.
Cheers and HH.
( On second thoughts cheers is the wrong word this morning )
Good morning CQN from a rather blustery Dumbreck. Last morning in Scotland for a while and must say I had a great night at the CQTen on Friday.
A bit “skwerred oot” so kippers for breakfast.
Looking forward to going back to driving on roads that do not have pot holes every couple of feet and that have visible road markings.
Morning,all.
Been trying for about two years-on and off-to find this,an explanation of the huns. Go to about 22 mins in,for about a minute.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=j_RYytzG4FY
Tonydonnelly67
I’m a Joseph but the whole patron saint thing eludes me.
Steinreighnedsupreme
I have not got a clue where we are going here mate honestly, on the petition I just came across it and thought, oh I’ll stick that on the CQN site, maybe some will be interested in it, no agenda, no ulterior motive, I’m afraid that’s all I did, so I don’t get your drift mate, unless your holding back what you really want to say, that’s the only answer I can give you, prob. Better if you cut to the chase and come right out with what’s on your mind?
Hendrix67
Me too, ;)
From CeresArabs
iron fact. It’s also of extreme concern that an SFA member club is having to fight for fairness, which should be a given. @ScottishFA
But it’s of concern to every single SFA member club when the governing body put out a blatant propaganda statement that is not cast
iron fact. It’s also of extreme concern that an SFA member club is having to fight for fairness, which should be a given. @ScottishFA
tonydonnelly67
09:14 on 19 March, 2014
Marakesh
That’s why I stopped listening to talk sport two years ago, Alan Brazil became another soup taking, lick spittle Uncle Tom.
——-
No he didn’t. That’s an incredibly stupid and vindictive comment.
Maybe You became intolerant and bitter to those not sharing your world view?
So 2 days before semi the boss of Dundee UTD faces panel at SFA ? disgusting the lengths this lot @ScottishFA will go to to help Sevco
tonydonnelly67 09:23 on 19 March, 2014
I said what I had to say in my previous post.
I think it is Zombie-like behaviour and embarrassing to stick that petition up when the decision to play the games at Ibroke was taken months ago.
Don’t you think it makes Celtic supporters look stupid by complaining that a third division team have an advantage over one of the best teams in the country?
hen1rik @ 09.27
As long as we have the SFA that we do, we’ll always have to run faster, be stronger and score more just to have a level playing field me thinks.
Right. Aff oot. To 3 days of meetings in London.
HateWorkingTravelCSC
HH jamesgang
There is a big worry now that Putin threw a spanner in the wests Ukraine plan that they(the west) will now turn their full “attentions” on Syria.
Putin put a stop to their plans to bomb before .
The west -nato -us -uk like to pick on weak targets .
Stringerbell
Unlike yourself?
Jamesgang
“I once interviewed a Russian General”.
That scores quite high on the scale of ‘Opening lines I least expect to read when I log onto CQN’.
; )
In the heat of Lisbon
09.01
I understand the U20’s will be be trying to avoid having their legs broken at Sevco Towers on 31st March. It’s to be a night game.
———————————————————————————————————————
Feast of St Joseph
Today is my second name day this week. I’ll be celebrating at 1pm in St Andrew’s Cathedral, Clyde Street.
Everyone is welcome and I’m sure there’ll be room for all.
steinreignedsupreme
09:35 on 19 March, 2014
tonydonnelly67 09:23 on 19 March, 2014
I said what I had to say in my previous post.
I think it is Zombie-like behaviour and embarrassing to stick that petition up when the decision to play the games at Ibroke was taken months ago.
Don’t you think it makes Celtic supporters look stupid by complaining that a third division team have an advantage over one of the best teams in the country?
______________________
Well that’s up to you what you think, I never gave it a thought, I just put it out there, and let everyone make there own decision on it, .
GUYFAWKESFOREVERAHERO
It’s St John of Parma tomorrow. Is there a hat-trick in the offing?