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:
[calameo code=0003901714cb03d5d5808 lang=en page=114 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
620 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- ...
- 17
- »
No matter where they play the semi final, Cifti will get sent off.
As it was big Pierre who recommended him to Jackie that will allow the media to kick off a frenzyfest against Utd
He’s a smashing player and no doubt will be targeted on two fronts – elbows and the Scottish Football Refereeing association :-)
And they’ll get a penalty at some point!!
CQN is hosting a Three Lions event at Greenock Celtic Supporters Club on Friday 23rd May. We will have (at least) 3 Lions participating in a Q&A session and this will be hosted by BRTH and Paul.
Tickets can be reserved and collected at the door from me – price is only £3.
CQN will only have a limited supply as the demand for tickets in Greenock, Port Glasgow and Gourock is high. We had a great night down there last May with Willie Wallace. Email me for reservation of tickets – david@cqnmagazine.com
Utd have played 3 top tier teams to get to where they are now in the cup.
Sevco have played….are you sitting down…..0 top tier teams in this seasons cup.
Just clocked the U20s have been down to 10 men since 4th min v St. M.
2-2 with 5 mins to go.
Quonno
Ajax participated in 1972 against Independiente.[66][67][68] The team’s arrival at Buenos Aires was extremely hostile: Johan Cruyff received several death threats from Independiente’s local fan firms.[69] Due to the indifference from the Argentine police, Ajax manager Ştefan Kovács appointed an organized emergency security detail for the Nederlandse meester, headed by himself and team member Barry Hulshoff, described as a big and burly man.
_______________________________________________________________
It may have been this from `72 or ,from memory,subsequent threats.
89th min 3-2 the Tic!
Geordie Munro
20:47 on
18 March, 2014
Utd have played 3 top tier teams to get to where they are now in the cup.
Sevco have played….are you sitting down…..0 top tier teams in this seasons cup.
Nothing new about that.
As I posted previously, nothing must get in the way of the greatest sporting achievement of all time.
macjay1 for Neil Lennon
20:48 on
18 March, 2014
Quonno
As I said I have no reason to doubt you.
As a teenager I well remember an old timer who had been there telling me that South America was another world.
I posted this earlier without any decent reply, does anyone know a decent plasterer in Glasgow?
quonno
20:52 on
18 March, 2014
macjay1 for Neil Lennon
20:48 on
18 March, 2014
Quonno
As a teenager I well remember an old timer who had been there telling me that South America was another world.
__________________________________________________________
Still is,mate.
Beautiful people.
Shitty govts.
Aff tae work.Cheers.
Mrs bt picked me (not from the ground) tonight at 6.45
I was subjected to plonkers pretending to be tims and giving that clown sneevins grouns for laughing at Celtic..
I don’t hate but I dislike him intensely.
Now I know why my dad is incandescent with rage…they should ignore those scumbags.
im with mini now capital radio for me, techno bt
It would be nice to think that this week our manager is using our empty calendar enhancing his tactical nous by watching a couple of champions league matches, and perhaps doing a bit of scouting of Europa League players
Clashcitybhoy
hope he doesn’t go looking in turkey for overpaid prima donas coming to the end of their careers..
Hendrix,
You’ve got my number, phone tmrw
P
Quonno
“Nothing new about that.
As I posted previously, nothing must get in the way of the greatest sporting achievement of all time.”
Well someone has boobed then by pairing up the reincarnated huns with the team who has eliminated their previous version in 3 of the last 4 years.
Hendrix
Pod I posted about it earlier mate.
Pod I
Jeezus man, you should change your moniker to the fixer. I’ll call you tomorrow afternoon.
BT
Don’t worry, I think we are well covered at right back :-)
Podi
glad to see you taking the pressure off me…
I see that Cristiano Ronaldo joined EU sanctions against Russia for their invasion on Ukraine and scored goal against guys who wear tops with Gazprom on them. Well done CR7!
Pod I
you want to be called BT?
BT,
I’ll stick to the practical things in life & leave you to the more marginal requests!
P
Too close to home pod I ? 8-)
Cot the tale end of SSB tonight and huge keech was going on abt Celtic being terrified of thems winning the cup at C P.
Right whit wan of ewes upset him??
It sure is..
John O’Neill –
Maybe they were doing what they were there to do . . . enjoying a great Celtic cup final victory in brilliant sunshine.
67Heaven … I am Neil Lennon, supporting WEE OSCAR..!!.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors
20:16 on
18 March, 2014
Isn’t it strange that in most Countries the build- up to a cup semi-final concentrates on the skills / football rivalry / merits of both teams……but not in Scotland……our build-up concentrates on generating hatred, and promoting bile ……… in this example, it is concentrating on unsettling Dundee United, and it will intensify until the day of the game….I hope the United players can cope with the ‘agenda’ …..
————————————————————————————————-
I have been listening out for the word “skill” for several years on Sportsound. It is hardly ever used.
All we get is —- “effort, tactics, commitment, systems, well organised” etc.
I have genuinely noticed that those of a Rangers persuasion (ok – much of the media) promote the ” it’s a man’s game” mentality as an excuse to cover their deficiencies. It was always thus.
I fear that Dundee Utd. will face this in the semi if their more skilful players start to play.
No wonder the horizons of Scottish Football are so limited,
This may be blasphemous on here but I’ve really enjoyed watching Hazzard, Willian, Oscar & Eto. Fast flowing football.
Mind you, I don’t want to see them in final.
P
jude2005 –
If CQN is anything to go by, I suspect that just for once, Keevins is spot on.
Now outright war …. Stephen Thomson v SFA.
Basically , UTD owner has said the SFA have been economical with the truth regards his teams ticket allocation for the semi at the Bigotdome . Or in other words lying!!
Shock , horror , the SFA lying !
When do they not?
Chelsea no songs no atmosphere no banners unless they put flags on their seats.
A stadium full of customers.
winning captains
20:45 on 18 March, 2014
………………
Sent you an email Re the Greenock do WC.
Connaire if your around I provisionally reserved a ticket for you.
V
It is known that a club may narrow / widen the pitch to suit its own purposes.
It is known that a club may drench the pitch to suit its own purposes.
It is known that a ploughed field of a pitch may favour a less skilful team e.g. Sevco more than a silky passing team e.g. Dundee Utd.
Is it known who prepares the pitch for a semi final at Ibrox?
Jude
The idea of Sevco winning anything anywhere depresses me
GCT
they have perpetuated the lie that they are the same team with the history and record breaking titles.
They have no self respect, none of them have any credibility when it comes to journalism yet we have eejits giving them credence by calling their stations..
Iki
Good point mate.
All sorts of skulduggery being perpetrated.
Hope UTD can stay strong
10 man Celts edge a 5 goal thriller…..
http://www.celticfc.net/newsstory?item=5589
V
Zbyszek
Europe needs russian gas . There will be no real sanctions .
Gazprom is an official sponsor of Uefa Champions league.
Crimea is lost because of the facist takeover in Kiev.