Good luck, nicky. I get the conundrum. If it helps, while we can’t make a difference to this World Cup, boycotting it may make some difference to the next!

Don’t be sorry. We’re nobodies in soccer, and I can think of at least one long term president of NZFA who obviously (to me) took bribes for his vote in the past. Not sure if he’s still around now.

It’s a long way away still. Who knows what will happen in the meantime? e.g. war could break out and they’ll be forced to relocate to a country that already has suitable venues and a good human rights record.

They might be forced to take the cup away from Russia too, which would be a result imo. Putin was waiting for Sochi to be over so he could launch his takeover of Ukraine. I wouldn’t mind betting he’s got plans for after the soccer as well.

It would be wonderful, but I doubt too, and it would only make a difference if a substantial number of countries** like Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Italy, Spain, Uruguay, France, Netherlands, England, Chile, Ghana and other more or less serious contenders would boycott. I mean, if only, say, Vietnam, Surinam, Nicaragua, South Africa and (sorry to say) New Zealand would boycott it would be a useless exercise.
**[if only the three-four mentioned first would boycott it would already have a serious impact. Are we talking strategy for possible action here? I can imagine -with some difficulty- Netherlands, Uruguay and Germany (and possibly even France?) actually boycotting]

Had the same thoughts, but desisted out of fear of being considered a sexual maniac for seeing vaginas anywhere. 🙂

This is absolutely disgusting. I had no idea about the slave labour, but on the other hand it does not really surprise me.
I’ll be honest: I’m a great football fan, and would like to take that pledge. However, I would not like to break a pledge either. I’m kind of disgusted with myself that I cannot yet honestly take the pledge right away, I’m not sure I’d keep it. I know I should, and probably will (so keep going Heather, that will help), but you know: “it is going on anyway, what difference would a little peek make now?” Gnothi seavton.

I agree with the description “obsessed.” I’d not known of any of this and I’m appalled.

Yeah, I think you’re right. Obsessed is a better word.

Reminiscent of Freud in the early part of last century. Yet, different in some ways. Repression was caused by Christian culture in Europe. I think Arabs/Islam have developed a hyper sensitivity to gender which makes them not so much repressed as obsessed with sexual mores. From what I’ve observed Arab culture is simply very masculine. There is a sense of machismo that rivals any culture you could name.

I was hoping someone would mention that!

I think it says a lot about the repressed sexuality of such a culture.