Should We Boycott The World Cup?

[ToraToraTora]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-43398549

TBH the Quartermaster has a point here, sport should not suffer for politics and going by our performances since 1990 we’ll be home soon enough anyway.

[Jahulaye]

As well as all the other footy pundits.

[New Judge]

"Hence the “ on the whole” section of my comments."

I don't quite understand what you mean. I can't think of anything that is taxed "on the whole". Everything is taxed on its individual components (as appropriate). It's like saying restaurant food is not taxed "on the whole" even though diners pay 20% VAT.

[weecalf]

Don’t send and then go on for another 80 years about 1966 and 2018 if we had went . To much money floating around to even suggest no sending a team .Go on prove me wrong

[jourdain2]

I've been wanting a boycott of it ever since I learned of the wholesale slaughter of stray dogs which Russia is carrying out - to present a tidy picture to the world.
Also, it would show determination. I don't care if other nations would not boycott, although I think they might if we led the way. Somebody has to start it. Football is no longer a sport, it is a commercial event i.m.o..

[ichkeria]

On the matter of evidence, Britain is involving the OPCW in the investigation and will present the evidence to it. Of course no evidence on earth will convince some.

[zebo]

No, we shouldn't unilaterally boycott the World Cup, if some other countries were to do so then maybe we could.
However if I were a fan there's no way that I would be going, the English fans are a declared target for the Russian thugs and I don't think there would be any justice from the controlled police out there.

[douglas9401]

You should go, of course.

It could be the last chance to benefit from a Soviet linesman, none of them getting any younger y'know. :-)

[Zacs-Master]

The Scotland team seem to boycott most world cups I’ve noticed.

[douglas9401]

Indeed Zacs, we save what limited sporting prowess we have for sorting out entitled next door neighbours at Murrayfield. ;-)

[Jahulaye]

“However if I were a fan there's no way that I would be going, the English fans are a declared target for the Russian thugs and I don't think there would be any justice from the controlled police out there.”

Careful Zebo, I made the same comment and was labled a Britain hating pro Russian not that there’s anything wrong with being pro Russian if you’re Russian and pro but not in a racist way but I’m certainly not anti British, I’m British and proud, lol

[sevenOP]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DYPXjVqX0AA1ovj.jpg

[ichkeria]

I suspect, as said above, that the hooligans will all be locked away for the duration of the World Cup.
It is up to the FA to decide whether to withdraw, and I think that decision would only be made on the grounds of safety.
I don't actually think there would be a problem there. For various reasons.
Pressing for the thing to be moved away from Russia altogether and held the following year, as My Kinnock suggests, would be a better idea. But there is no way that will happen now, Should have been done ages ago. Too late now, and why should sports fans pay for the dillydallying of the politicians.

[Grandpappy]

No! Even Hitler tolerated Jesse Owens. Let man compete against man,not politics or idealists.

[ichkeria]

It doesn’t sound like there will be many England fans going to the World Cup anyway: more Indians than English have applied for tickets.

[Old_Geezer]

I dislike boycotting sporting events on principle, but the dignitaries need not attend the event if they wish to underline their displeasure at the Russian disregard for decent behaviour in another's country.

[ichkeria]

Certainly there’ll be no government officials or royal personnel there. And there may well be very few sports officials too.