2022: Nasty case of Qatar
I don't have a problem with accommodating Qatar's weather. If you can't have a World Cup any month but July you rule out a lot of places that might deserve it, if not now then someday. The climate debate is Euro-centric, and I understand FIFA's aim for football not to be primarily a European sport. I also think Qatar has some real advantages, economically, logistically, geographically.
I do have a problem with accommodating Qatar's culture and laws. They are entitled to their beliefs. But if they want to welcome the world in, they need to accommodate the world. Which means bending on whether you can sip a fermented beverage in the stands, or whether I can bring my male partner without fear of reprisal, etc. There's no sign any of that will happen or has even been considered.
I don't have a problem with accommodating Qatar's weather. If you can't have a World Cup any month but July you rule out a lot of places that might deserve it, if not now then someday. The climate debate is Euro-centric, and I understand FIFA's aim for football not to be primarily a European sport. I also think Qatar has some real advantages, economically, logistically, geographically.
I do have a problem with accommodating Qatar's culture and laws. They are entitled to their beliefs. But if they want to welcome the world in, they need to accommodate the world. Which means bending on whether you can sip a fermented beverage in the stands, or whether I can bring my male partner without fear of reprisal, etc. There's no sign any of that will happen or has even been considered.
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