Leonid Zlotnikov
As you know, on November 20, the next, 22nd FIFA World Cup will begin in Qatar, which has already been recognized as one of the most unusual and scandalous in the history of this event, and for many reasons at once. First, the timing. It is known that all such forums were held in the summer, but the climatic conditions of the Arabian Peninsula did not allow this tradition to be preserved. And even in November and December it will be hot there like in summer.
Secondly, the venue is an Arab country, with all the ensuing consequences: gender bans, bans on alcohol and the usual European entertainment. Despite the fact that the organizers of the competition promised to turn a blind eye to this and not to limit the fans, conflicts are still inevitable.
For example, on Tuesday, November 8, the Qatari ambassador of the World Cup, Khalid Salman, that is, in fact, the main representative of the hosts of this tournament, stated literally the following in an interview with the German ZDF television channel: “Homosexuality is haram, a great sin, because it damages the human mind . In Qatar, gays are illegal. Everyone in the LGBT community should accept our rules".
Thus, guests with non-traditional sexual orientation have every chance of big trouble.
True, with alcohol so far the situation is relatively good. So, in Qatar, the first event was held as part of this event - a concert by Enrique Iglesias. Alcohol on it was sold freely, however, to put it mildly, not cheap - $ 11 for a 300-gram can of beer. Portions (40-60 ml) of hard drinks cost about the same, reports the Qatar. World Cup 2022. Expensive, but angry.
Thirdly, the scandalous story of the appointment of Qatar as the host of the World Cup made this event unusual. The ex-President of FIFA Joseph Blattera spoke about it unexpectedly for everyone: “Qatar is a mistake. It was a bad choice".
Why? Blatter candidly explained: “Choosing Qatar as the venue for the 2022 World Cup was a mistake. We agreed that Russia will host the World Cup in 2018 and the US in 2022. It would be a gesture of peace if two long-time political opponents took turns organizing the World Cup.
However, a week before the FIFA Congress, Platini (former UEFA President) called me and said that our plan would not be implemented. Michel was invited to the palace of President Sarkozy, who had lunch with the Prince of Qatar the day before. Sarkozy asked Platini: "Try to do something for Qatar when the World Cup host is chosen." Six months later, Qatar bought fighter jets from France for $14.6 billion...”
Journalist Kirill Shulika comments on this scandalous statement:
“I passed Platini, Sarkozy, who turned out to be to blame for the fact that we are waiting for the most idiotic even, and not just strange, World Cup in history. Blatter asks to say thanks to France for this ... He did not say anything about Russia. Although, by the way, this is a very clear choice. Unlike Qatar. There is a small country and there is simply no place to live, and the stadiums are disposable, so many teams have never been born there..."
And, finally, fourthly, the attitude towards the championship in Russia, which, as you know, in connection with the events in Ukraine, was excommunicated from world football. Revenge was not long in coming: the 2022 World Cup, unlike the one that took place in our country in 2018, few people will see.
The same Shulika writes:
“Strange World Cup, and everything is strange.
From "Match-TV" commentators Dmitry Shnyakin and Roman Trushechkin go to Qatar, Timur Zhuravel is also there, but he is for reporting.
Actually, that's all... It's clear who is commenting on the opening match and the final. Almost everything else will be commented from the studio in Moscow.
And no other FM channels will show at all. Channel One, for example, preferred to organize the Russian Kitchen Singing Championship.
I want to watch real football, I always loved the World Cup and EURO, I cried when Roberto Baggio did not score the decisive penalty against the Brazilians, but you expect everything with some kind of emptiness. As if this is not for us..."