The goalposts have moved dramatically in world football. Saudi Arabia will host the World Cup in 2034 – just 12 years after Fifa caused outrage by hosting the showpiece tournament in Qatar.
The outcry over Qatar’s human rights record will be nothing compared to the din in the build-up to 2034, given the Saudis’ rap sheet.
This is a country where executions are routine, as are claims of unfair trials. Hefty jail sentences are handed out to people who say the wrong thing on social media – and homosexuality is illegal.
It’s no wonder Tartan Army members might have misgivings about going on the march to such a state. Particularly given that alcohol is also banned there.
The award of the tournament to Saudi Arabia speaks volumes about the way the world is heading. Sportswashing – where sport is used to improve damaged reputations – is only made possible through greed.
Hundreds of world-famous role models have opted to put Saudi Arabia’s human rights violations to the side. They have focused instead on the millions being deposited in their bank accounts for doing very little work.
If superstars such as Portuguese icon Cristiano Ronaldo – who plays in Saudi – don’t care about human rights, why should his billions of young fans around the world?
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But perhaps the Tartan Army shouldn’t get too far ahead of themselves. Maybe Saudi Arabia will have become a liberal democracy by 2034...and maybe Scotland will win the World Cup.
Firefighters are the very definition of heroes – highly trained, courageous men and women who run towards danger every day.
For this, some of them have been met with a barrage of fireworks, bricks and bottles. It’s so bad in certain parts of Scotland that the police have had to protect them as they go about their work.
This is a level of mindless thuggery that is almost impossible to understand. And one frontline emergency service has to look after another – just so they can get their job done.
Bonfire Night, which falls tomorrow, puts a huge strain on firefighters across the country. We rely on them to respond to emergencies and help keep us safe through those celebrations, as well as the rest of the year.
They are our frontline superstars and everyone needs to stand well back and let them get on with their crucial work in peace.
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Tartan Army would be right to avoid Saudi Arabia World Cup given human rights record
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04.11.2023
The goalposts have moved dramatically in world football. Saudi Arabia will host the World Cup in 2034 – just 12 years after Fifa caused outrage by hosting the showpiece tournament in Qatar.
The outcry over Qatar’s human rights record will be nothing compared to the din in the build-up to 2034, given the Saudis’ rap sheet.
This is a country where executions are routine, as are claims of unfair trials. Hefty jail sentences are handed out to people who say the wrong thing on social media – and homosexuality is illegal.
It’s no wonder Tartan Army members might have misgivings about going on the march to such a........
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