The world-wide quadrennial tournament is underway. The good, the bad, and the ugly. I'm not referring to the peoples' physiognomy or outward appearances, I'm referencing the wayward and extremely antiquated politics and values of Qatar. Regardless of how people around the world view the country of Qatar, this year's World Cup is predicted (by statistical computation and algorithms) to attract 5 billion viewers — almost two-thirds of the planet’s population.
Already, there has never been a World Cup anything close like Qatar 2022 - and this is before a soccer ball (fútbol) has even been kicked. There are a myriad of human rights groups in uproar and protest over everything from the mistreatment of LGBTQ people in Qatar where homosexuality is illegal as well as questions surrounding the mysterious deaths of the construction workers who have been exhaustingly building the facilities in Qatar. The storied organizer FIFA is trying to recover from scandals laden with outcries of corruption that have cast aspersions in relation to how Qatar was even considered and awarded the World Cup competition. Erstwhile, Sepp Blatter, FIFA chief, went on record to say he regretted that the Gulf country was picked as host. FIFA is adept at availing itself of the onerous responsibility of picking a host site every four years - much like the Olympics. So for anyone at FIFA, the world's most powerful (and loathed) sports organization, to attempt to show remorse for choosing such a dreadful location, I call blasphemy and ignominy (shame). Qatar is not only hateful in its maltreatment of women and the LGBTQ community, but its antiquated kafala labour system endangers austerity, poverty, and success among those still seen as part of the outgroup and outliers within its hidden caste system. Still, FIFA and the World Cup remain popular and prosperous. One writer said it best regarding the doubtless popularity of FIFA and the World Cup: the sport remains one of the last bastions of live television viewing considering how audiences have been fleeing traditional broadcasters for online streaming services in the last few years (2022).
As for me and my love of soccer (fútbol), it started in the 90s when Mia Hamm and company reigned supreme in the sport of women's' soccer. The United States Womens National Team (USWNT) was on fire and winning competition after competition. My girlfriend during that time was from Mexico, and a huge fútbol fan to boot (pardon the pun), so she provided much insight and tutelage to this American who did not yet fully appreciate "fútbol." As my education in soccer grew, so did my love of the sport. It was around the same time I started loving cycling and Le Tour de France. My gf taught me the logistics of soccer, but I ventured off on my own to learn the names of the players, their positions, how the pitch is controlled and how pitch is another name for the playing field, how the kit is the name for the standard equipment and attire worn by players, etcetera. G-d I adore soccer (fútbol), and I am so proud to be one of the first Americans to appreciate the beautiful game - before it gained in popularity in the USA. With all that stated, I wish I could boycott the current World Cup games, but I cannot. For my love of the game and of my National teams is much too mighty and potent. I scream and yell for all our National teams, so when World Cup soccer rears its face, I succumb and watch. Afterall, it's not every day that I get to cheer on Team USA. Before I end the post, one question: Why in the world did the USMNT not play Gio Reyna vs Wales on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2022? The USMNT should have won that game 1-0 instead of allowing Wales to score for a 1-1 draw in the Group B opener. Team USA's most solid defender, Walker Zimmerman, foolishly conceded a futile penalty 10 minutes from fulltime, which then allowed Team Wales' own Gareth Bale the pk, which he "cashed in" in emphatic fashion to level the score, 1-1. Team USA never recovered. Again, where was Gio? We needed the three points, one point at this juncture might not be enough to make it out of the group. J.S.
No comments:
Post a Comment