World Cup Qatar 2022 - Desert Strike

[jonathanhoey]

https://news.sky.com/story/being-gay-is-damage-in-the-mind-qatar-world-cup-ambassador-says-12741596

 

Quote

Being gay is 'damage in the mind', Qatar World Cup ambassador says

 

Two weeks before the football tournament begins in the Gulf state, former Qatari footballer Khalid Salman said being gay is "haram".

 

An ambassador for the World Cup in Qatar has described homosexuality as "damage in the mind".

 

Two weeks before the football tournament begins in the Gulf state, former Qatari footballer Khalid Salman told a German public broadcaster being gay is "haram", or forbidden in Arabic.

 

In excerpts of the television interview shown on ZDF's news programme Heute Journal, Mr Salman said he has a problem with children seeing gay people.

 

Mr Salman went on to say homosexuality "is spiritual harm".

 

"During the World Cup, many things will come here to the country. Let's talk about gays," Mr Salman said in English, which was simultaneously dubbed into German in the TV segment.

 

"The most important thing is, everybody will accept that they come here. But they will have to accept our rules," he added.

 

When asked why it was haram, Mr Salman said: "I am not a strict Muslim but why is it haram? Because it is damage in the mind."

 

The interview was immediately cut short by a press officer of the World Cup organising committee after Mr Salman described being gay as "damage in the mind", ZDF reported.

 

Around 1.2 million international visitors are expected in Qatar for the month-long tournament, which has been criticised ever since the gas-rich emirate was selected as host by Fifa in December 2010.

 

There have been concerns about the conservative country's treatment of homosexuals living in the country as well as LGBTQ tourists attending the World Cup.

 

World Cup organisers did not immediately respond to Sky News' request for comment.

 

Labour's shadow sports minister Jeff Smith said the onus was now on the World Cup organisers to condemn the comments.

 

"They need to say this person doesn't represent us, doesn't represent the ethos and the manner in which the World Cup is meant to be run, and say LGBT people, along with all other people, are welcome," he told BBC Radio 4's World at One.

 

Robbie de Santos from LGBT group Stonewall said he was surprised but not shocked by the views.

 

"It is shocking to hear such comments in the run up to what should be an absolutely joyous, inclusive, global celebration. Such a divisive comment is just really, really hard to hear," he said.

 

"I think that the tournament is going to happen, people are going to watch it, but it is going to be really uneasy for so many people to watch a tournament which has just been mired in so much controversy."

 

There have been calls for people to boycott the World Cup due to Qatar's stance on gay rights.

 

Opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer has said he and his Labour colleagues will not attend.

 

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly was accused of being "shockingly tone-deaf" last month after he urged LGBT football fans to be "respectful" of Qatar if they visit the country for the World Cup.

 

The Gulf state's foreign minister told Sky News those criticising the tournament are "arrogant".

 

"Preaching from a distance is not a solution," said Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani.

 

"Calling to boycott the World Cup, or those who are not coming to the World Cup, it's their decision at the end of the day, but why deprive the people and the public from attending and enjoying the World Cup."

 

 

It comes after a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report claimed security forces in Qatar have been arbitrarily arresting and abusing LGBT Qataris recently.

HRW said it had interviewed six LGBT Qataris, including four transgender women, one bisexual woman and one gay man, who reported being detained between 2019 and 2022.

 

They said they had been detained without charge in an underground prison in Doha and subjected to verbal and physical abuse, including kicking and punching.

One individual said they were held for two months in solitary confinement.

 

Fuck these people and their backwards, bigoted views. Fuck FIFA for taking their bribes, and fuck watching this cruel joke of a World Cup.  

[Azrael]

With Arsenal currently league leaders and Newcastle third sure one of Ramsdale or Pope will be picked over Pickford as England's first choice goalkeeper? 

 

Of course I hope Southgate sticks with Pickford and he has a shiter of a tournament 

[Stoppy2000]

38 minutes ago, Azrael said:

With Arsenal currently league leaders and Newcastle third sure one of Ramsdale or Pope will be picked over Pickford as England's first choice goalkeeper? 

 

Of course I hope Southgate sticks with Pickford and he has a shiter of a tournament 

I don't think Pickford would take it very well. He looks on the verge of tears every time he gives away a corner.

Plus we know Southgate has his favourites. Sterling shouldn't be starting either but he looks pretty much certain. 

[Oh Danny Boy]

Fuck this tournament. Not going to give it the oxygen. 

[Orion]

First World Cup since I was a kid I can't be arsed watching. I bet England will probably win now.

[Boothjan]

12 hours ago, Stoppy2000 said:

I don't think Pickford would take it very well. He looks on the verge of tears every time he gives away a corner.

Plus we know Southgate has his favourites. Sterling shouldn't be starting either but he looks pretty much certain. 

 

I would keep Pickford as #1 - because he's not let us down in the big tournaments.  I don't think he's a better keeper than the others (I really rate Pope) but for now, it's Pickford's shirt - he's been excellent under Southgate. 

 

Similar for Sterling TBH - I have no problem with this if they perform well for England.

[The Fox]

15 hours ago, Azrael said:

With Arsenal currently league leaders and Newcastle third sure one of Ramsdale or Pope will be picked over Pickford as England's first choice goalkeeper? 

 

Of course I hope Southgate sticks with Pickford and he has a shiter of a tournament 

 

Pickford's dodgy spell of form was a long time ago now. He doesn't deserve to be dropped.

[Chewylegs]

Danny Mills talking absolute nonsense on the radio as per usual.

Spouting the old "He's never let England down" when talking about Maguire.....has he seen the last few times he's played for England in lesser games 🤔

[The Fox]

Maddison is in the England squad apparently.

 

No Abraham, Guehi, Tomori or JWP.

[The Fox]

 

[Stoppy2000]

Nothing too offensive there - Maguire the standout poor choice. Glad Madison is in but doubt he'll get much chance to impress. 

[Chewylegs]

It's not a surprise but I think not taking Toney is a bad idea.

 

Not sure why we need Coady when another left back (Henry/Cresswell) would have been better.

 

Surprised by Gallagher but happy Maddison is in.

[The Fox]

Realistically in a 26-man squad there will always be 2 or 3 guys who don't really play. Southgate's attitude with Coady seems to be that he's a really sound bloke who's important for morale etc off the pitch, so he might as well take him over [insert other defender here who also wouldn't have played]. IMO it's hard to argue with that logic.

 

Re: Toney - Alan Shearer suggested that international referees probably wouldn't take a kindly view to his physicality, which I think is a fair point.

[Chewylegs]

Fair points @Fox but I think taking a right back as the only cover to a (not great) left back is risky.

 

 

Toney not going leaves a injury prone Wilson to fill in for Kane if necessary.  Again risky.  I just think taking all 3 would have been a wiser choice and leaving Gallagher out

[Boothjan]

I don't think there's a single majorly contentious decision in that squad TBH - it's a good squad.

[ChewMagma]

20 minutes ago, Chewylegs said:

It's not a surprise but I think not taking Toney is a bad idea.

 

Not sure why we need Coady when another left back (Henry/Cresswell) would have been better.

 

Surprised by Gallagher but happy Maddison is in.

 

You don't want Cresswell, trust me, not unless you fancy seeing someone get recklessly sent off in the quarter final.

[Chewylegs]

Just now, ChewMagma said:

 

You don't want Cresswell, trust me, not unless you fancy seeing someone get recklessly sent off in the quarter final.

😅Henry then?

 

Anyhow.  The squad is pretty much as expected with a couple of minor surprises. 

 

[Chindie]

Abraham dropped due to form.

 

Centre back who's form is a national laughing stock. Straight in.

 

Centre mid who has made a single appearance this season for his club, straight in.

 

Thank fuck I'm boycotting this shit.

[davidcotton]

1 hour ago, Boothjan said:

I don't think there's a single majorly contentious decision in that squad TBH - it's a good squad.

Phillips not getting enough game time at city due to injury instead of jwp who    plays every time for Southampton?

[Boothjan]

2 minutes ago, davidcotton said:

Phillips not getting enough game time at city due to injury instead of jwp who    plays every time for Southampton?

 

Ridiculous free kicks aside, I'm not that fussed about JWP.  If Phillips is fit, he's more valuable.  I wouldn't say that's massively controversial TBQH.

 

I'd start Bellingham and Rice over either of them at the moment anyway (if KP was fitter, I'd maybe give him the nod). 

[Gabe]

6 minutes ago, Chindie said:

Abraham dropped due to form.

 

Centre back who's form is a national laughing stock. Straight in.

 

Centre mid who has made a single appearance this season for his club, straight in.

 

Thank fuck I'm boycotting this shit.

To be fair, Abraham has 4 goals this season, so that's not really a controversial decision. Phillips walking straight back into the squad can only be, as @The Fox says, for team morale, because he isn't going to be anywhere near match fit until later in the tournament.

 

Sterling, Maguire, TAA and Dier aren't in great club form, Gallagher & Wilson have no real experience at this level and the squad doesn't look particularly well balanced.

 

It's hard to see them going all that far, the WC is a very different proposition to the Euros. 

[Boothjan]

4 minutes ago, Gabe said:

the squad doesn't look particularly well balanced.

 

Left back aside which due to injuries looks pretty weak and a few issues at CB, I'd disagree with this.

 

Probably the most balanced squad we've had for a long while.  Not perfect, but it's still decent enough.  (I don't think we've got enough quality to win it - even with a fully fit squad to choose from). 

[Chewylegs]

Yes, balance looks ok (still need another left back) but quality is what it's about.

Our defence is very poor.

[Chindie]

7 minutes ago, Gabe said:

To be fair, Abraham has 4 goals this season, so that's not really a controversial decision. Phillips walking straight back into the squad can only be, as @The Fox says, for team morale, because he isn't going to be anywhere near match fit until later in the tournament.

 

Sterling, Maguire, TAA and Dier aren't in great club form, Gallagher & Wilson have no real experience at this level and the squad doesn't look particularly well balanced.

 

It's hard to see them going all that far, the WC is a very different proposition to the Euros. 

 

Oh it's less a comment on Abraham himself and more on Southgate's bullshit. Justifies a decision on the basis of form, makes other decisions that are an absolute mockery of form being in the equation.

 

I suppose people should be thankful he didn't pick a billion right backs again.

[Chewylegs]

It's a bit bullshitty from Southgate but both Maguire and Phillips have turned up for England consistently in the past, Abraham hasn't.

 

I think if we had real quality to replace those two, you'd hope he would have.

[Art Vandelay]

Can we take a moment to discuss what has happened to Australian football? Looking at their squad I barely recognise anyone.

[Loik V credern]

I actually can't find fault with that squad, i guess some injuries allowed favourites like Trent and Maddison to get in, it's so front loaded with attacking players but then if any don't go it seems like why bother. The biggest surprise must be Conor Gallagher, but midfield is weak so it makes sense. It must be gutting for Bowen to think after last season he'd be be on course to squeeze his way in, only to start the season lamely along with his club. Or Sancho, who i've forgot all about this season, and everyone else seems to. On form he was never going to go, but just in terms of him looking ahead years prior to things like this and his career predictably stagnating at Man United. All United's Brazilian players get in their national squads...the English players are more polarising.

 

I think many players like Maddison realise minutes will be limited but it doesn't matter for them. For a player who has been consistently outperforming a few other attacking players who have been a part of England for years but who has never been involved, i'm happy he's got to go.

[Boothjan]

10 minutes ago, Art Vandelay said:

Can we take a moment to discuss what has happened to Australian football? Looking at their squad I barely recognise anyone.

Just had a look and you're right - the days of Viduka, Kewell, Cahill, Emerton, Schwarzer etc etc seem like a world away! 

[feltmonkey]

I think the strangest decision is not taking Tomori. He's a key player for the Serie A champions, in a position where we are very weak. I think he would have been a better selection than Coady, White, and probably Maguire. Maguire has a lot of credit in the bank due to previous performances for Southgate, Coady seems to be selected for what he brings to the dressing room rather than the pitch, and White might be there as cover at right back or that right-sided centre-back hybrid position that Walker will probably be playing. Even Stones hardly plays for City, and has been playing right back this season. Tomori is arguably the best centre-back we have.

 

I really don't see the point of taking Philips. Is he good enough to justify taking him when he's injured, or at least nowhere near match fit? The group we have, we need to be on it from the first game. We can't afford a creaky start and a draw against Iran while players who haven't played in months try to get up to speed. Ward-Prowse would surely have been a better bet. He's a solid midfielder who can provide the best delivery of a dead ball in world football at the moment. Given England's difficulty in creating anything, that could have been useful.

 

Only one left back is a worry. Shaw is back to close to his best, and is a fantastic player, but if he gets injured I really hope the plan isn't to play Saka there. What a waste that would be!

 

I don't think the problem will be personnel though - it's the formation. This "3-4-3" formation which is in reality a 5-4-1.  We've been persisting with it since the end of Euro 2020 and this has coincided with a run of absolutely abject form. The 4-3-3 was working well. Why did we throw that out?

 

[Art Vandelay]

Ward-Prowse's big issue is he gets around the turf like a stricken oil tanker. We don't seem fantastically interested in having any athleticism in midfield though so maybe it wouldn't be a problem, and he can knock a pinger from dead balls which we can aim at whatever combination of big lumps Southgate picks at the back.

 

My fear in general is we're going to be kidded into believing a slow start and 'controlled' football wins tournaments, when actually we're just not very good at the moment. I'd be really tempted to just try and get as many of our best players into a 4-3-3 and see where we get to. These aren't the days of players falling apart when they have to play a slightly different role anymore, they're all technically unbelievable, and Maguire would work it out eventually too I'm sure.