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I think there must be more to it than that Baz. Paying flights and everything. Most fans would be happy to represent their country gratis and indeed spend a small fortune to do so. They need to sign contracts.That’s a very misleading headline. Inviting fans from each association to the opening ceremony and getting them to sing a chant for a few seconds representing their country as part of the ceremony seems pretty reasonable to me.
I think there must be more to it than that Baz. Paying flights and everything. Most fans would be happy to represent their country gratis and indeed spend a small fortune to do so. They need to sign contracts.
My guess is that these chosen fans will be the ones who they focus on in other games for a sanitised WC with no pesky protests on the telly. They'll also be pushed as unofficial spokespeople who will say only positive things about Qatar. I'm not aware of anything on this scale for any previous major sporting event.
Doesn't it all feel a bit weird to you?
That’s a very misleading headline. Inviting fans from each association to the opening ceremony and getting them to sing a chant for a few seconds representing their country as part of the ceremony seems pretty reasonable to me.
Signing a code of conduct.That’s a very misleading headline. Inviting fans from each association to the opening ceremony and getting them to sing a chant for a few seconds representing their country as part of the ceremony seems pretty reasonable to me.
Signing a code of conduct.
Reporting critical social media posts.
Ordered to sing at certain times for the cameras.
If you think that’s pretty reasonable in order to watch a football match then you obviously live in a different world to me.
Signing a code of conduct.
Reporting critical social media posts.
Ordered to sing at certain times for the cameras.
If you think that’s pretty reasonable in order to watch a football match then you obviously live in a different world to me.
That question about the Qatari anthem was just weirdSee I’m not absolutely sure I believe what they’re saying about contracts and reporting critical media. Partly because of the way they talk about being made to sing on demand when it appears to just be for that small part of the opening ceremony, and partly because of the last paragraph in which they say they asked the England fan for comment but instead of saying if he commented or not, they ‘quoted’ and anonymous fan asking if they would play the Qatari anthem??
I like the Times sport reporting normally but this just seems a cynical attempt to mislead.
Naughty fortyHe's one of the Dirty 40 isn't he
Fair point. Interesting to see that @Lawnmower was one of those offered the role. Be good if he could clarify exactly what was part of the deal.See I’m not absolutely sure I believe what they’re saying about contracts and reporting critical media. Partly because of the way they talk about being made to sing on demand when it appears to just be for that small part of the opening ceremony, and partly because of the last paragraph in which they say they asked the England fan for comment but instead of saying if he commented or not, they ‘quoted’ and anonymous fan asking if they would play the Qatari anthem??
I like the Times sport reporting normally but this just seems a cynical attempt to mislead.
You beat me to it Jimmy. But I've heard everyone has to be under 5 ft 5 inches. So the Shorty Forty surely. And apparently all the England fans went to Public School. They are the Haughty Forty.Naughty forty
You beat me to it Jimmy. But I've heard everyone has to be under 5 ft 5 inches. So the Shorty Forty surely. And apparently all the England fans went to Public School. They are the Haughty Forty.
Some had nasty skin problems so it's the haughty warty shorty naughty fortyYou beat me to it Jimmy. But I've heard everyone has to be under 5 ft 5 inches. So the Shorty Forty surely. And apparently all the England fans went to Public School. They are the Haughty Forty.
Some had nasty skin problems so it's the haughty warty shorty naughty forty