Fifa 2022 World Cup Qatar

[buksida]

From the Thai Enquirer ...

The price for the broadcasting license of all 64 matches at #WorldCup2022 was US$20.8 million in June. Thai agencies turned that offer down.

By October, the price went up to $38 million before #FIFA lowered it to $36 million but the agencies' budget is now $30.7 million.

Hence the 4 remaining options:
- Don't buy
- Borrow money from other government agencies
- Continue to convince more private companies to help pay for it
- Buy a smaller package (but FIFA said they will only sell the full package and the negotiation is still ongoing)

[hhinner]

I think Skynet sports are carrying the world cup and should therefore be available in HH on G-Cable TV. As it's a satellite downlink the sky net channels are not always a great picture especially if there's bad weather about.

[Big Boy]

Yay

Thai soccer fans will get to see all the 64 World Cup soccer matches

https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-socce ... r-matches/

[Lost]

A message from the world cup sponsor...

20221118_144240.jpg (20.84 KiB) Viewed 407 times

[PeteC]

What a F'd up mess it's all going to be. Let's not have any fun, just sit like good muslims and spin our prayer beads instead of enjoying a beer or named entertainment throughout the event.

FIFA has rocks in their heads, and probably a lot of cash in their individual pockets for approving that place. Was Sepp involved in this one?

I think protests and surprise protest events are going to be in the news more than the football.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/life/arts-a ... -in-qatar-

[Big Boy]

I finished watching FIFA Uncovered last night. It was quite revealing. I was surprised how many nations who I wouldn't consider 'footballing nations' had such a big role to play in the mess, and the fact it was the FBI that sorted it.

I'd recommend watching it.

[Nereus]

English fans reveal dire budget accommodation standards ahead of Qatar World Cup

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-19/ ... /101674798

As international fans start rolling into Doha, videos are emerging of what life will be like for supporters throughout the World Cup.

Footage from budget accommodation at Rawdat Al Jahhaniya, which goes for around $330 a night and will host mostly Welsh and English fans, showed portable air conditioners being used in converted shipping containers, with deafening noise coming from nearby generators.

"This is what £185 a night gets you in the Qatar World Cup fan village," an England fan wrote on TikTok.

"Good luck getting any rest. The noise of the air conditioner (that doesn’t keep the container cool during the day) helps drown out the rest of the racket."

Two contractors who had been staying in the village told journalists it had been "hell" staying in the area.

"It has been hell. The aircon in the cabin barely works and sounds like a (fighter jet) is taking off. Even if you have it on all the time during the day it is still 27C. You can’t have it on at night because it is so noisy," one contractor said.

The second said the beds were "rock hard".

"I have never been somewhere so uncomfortable," he said.

"We have been here for 10 days and it is a nightmare. It might be OK if you want to rough it for a night or two, but any longer would be dreadful."

The videos came as it was announced alcohol will be banned at World Cup stadiums in an eleventh hour U-turn by organisers.

In a statement, football's governing body said: "Following discussions between host country authorities and FIFA, a decision has been made to focus the sale of alcoholic beverages on the FIFA Fan Festival, other fan destinations and licensed venues, removing sales points of beer from Qatar's FIFA World Cup 2022 stadium perimeters."

'That irritated us': German football boss hits out at FIFA

Meanwhile, German football federation president Bernd Neuendorf has criticised FIFA for attempts to restrict national teams' political activities when it comes to human rights.

Speaking at Germany's first news conference in Qatar ahead of the World Cup, Mr Neuendorf said he was particularly annoyed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino's letter two weeks ago urging teams to "focus on the football" and leave political issues aside.


"That the topic of human rights should now no longer play a role, that we are now concentrating here on football only, that irritated us to a certain extent and disturbed us," Mr Neuendorf said.

He added the federation had to send a signal to show it will not be silenced.

Mr Neuendorf also referred to FIFA's decision to ban the Denmark team from bearing the slogan "Human Rights For All" on training jerseys.

"That was declared as a political statement and therefore prohibited," Mr Neuendorf said.

"We're not talking about a political decision that can be made one way or the other with a slogan like 'Human Rights For All'. It's about human rights. And human rights are universal and binding all over the world."

Mr Neuendorf said Germany was cooperating with other European federations who want their captains to wear an armband with a rainbow heart design during World Cup games to protest against discrimination.

"It's not a political statement, because it's a statement for human rights," said Mr Neuendorf, who added if it was banned, "I would be quite prepared to accept a fine as well."

A man walks between the shipping container rooms (left), and large generators and water tanks.(TikTok: havoc.s15)

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[PeteC]

What rugby events are on?

[PeteC]

Here's a rant from the boss a minute ago.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63687412

[Nereus]

World Cup fans are flocking to Qatar’s boozy underground in search of a drink in a dry country

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-19/ ... /101675076

On the corner of a nondescript street in downtown Doha, tucked away inside one of the city's many five-star hotels, Claw BBQ restaurant is coming to life.

Not that you'd know it from the outside. Standing on the street, you wouldn't have a clue that one of Qatar's most popular watering-holes is just a stone's throw away. Its windows are blacked out, its walls are layered with sound-proofing, and there are no signs pointing you in the right direction. You can't even see it on Google Street View.

Like all establishments that serve alcohol in Qatar, Claw BBQ is deliberately hidden. It's not until you pass the security screening at the hotel's entrance and deliberately look around that you spot its simple glass door and small branded sign.

Once inside, you're struck by a scene that feels more fitting for downtown Dallas than Doha. Country music twangs out of speakers hung in the corners, dozens of flat-screen televisions show football, basketball, and the NFL.

Sports jerseys, old photos, and fluorescent drive-in signs line the exposed-brick walls as barmen hand out baskets of fries and burgers and small cardboard slides of thin matches for people sitting around the indoor smoking section.

In the centre of the room, World Cup-themed banners and flags are draped around the central bar that has several taps either side and a wall of hard liquor bottles in the middle. Claw BBQ's staff wear uniforms that look like 1930s baseball kits – hats included.

Technically, they're serving in a country where alcohol is illegal under sharia law. But their menu offers over 50 alcohol drinks from draft and bottled beers to wine, cocktails, and straight-up shots.

The cheapest beer comes in at just over $20, while the most affordable bottle of white wine clocks in at roughly $100. The most expensive item? A bottle of French champagne that'll set you back $1,435.

This bar – like all others in Qatar – is not part of any official tournament guide. It's not included in any "Things To Do" brochures for the 1.2 million fans expected to arrive in Doha over the next few weeks.

It is part of the country's alcohol underground, a network of pubs, bars and clubs that have quietly emerged in the country's underbelly as it has opened its arms to the rest of the world over the past two decades. So while it may be banned according to the letter of the law, alcohol is readily available if you know where to look.

And everybody in Qatar knows where to look.

more at the link..........................................

[dtaai-maai]

FIFA president Infantino, while defending Qatar:

"Of course I am not Qatari, Arab, African, gay, disabled or a migrant worker. But I feel like them because I know what it means to be discriminated and bullied as a foreigner in a foreign country.

"As a child I was bullied because I had red hair and freckles. I was bullied for that."

[Lost]

FIFA president Infantino, while defending Qatar:

"Of course I am not Qatari, Arab, African, gay, disabled or a migrant worker. But I feel like them because I know what it means to be discriminated and bullied as a foreigner in a foreign country.

"As a child I was bullied because I had red hair and freckles. I was bullied for that."

A truly spectacular speech. One for the ages. He fully understands the plight of the oppressed, for he—once a ginger, freckled mong—is a victim himself.

It's right up there with Gary Lineker's 'I know how bad racism is because I was a victim myself for having darker skin' (true story ).

FV2Ye1aWYAA3wz6.jpg (48.45 KiB) Viewed 345 times

[huahin4ever]

YNWA

[HHTel]

It does appear that the Thai government are giving no concessions for bars etc to remain open for the 'late' games. The 4 am law is still being debated so that won't help.

Looks like another 'cash cow' for our men in brown!!

[pharvey]

FIFA president Infantino, while defending Qatar:

"Of course I am not Qatari, Arab, African, gay, disabled or a migrant worker. But I feel like them because I know what it means to be discriminated and bullied as a foreigner in a foreign country.

"As a child I was bullied because I had red hair and freckles. I was bullied for that."

Oh yeah, "Duracell" had a hard time.... But will he last as long?

All seems like this tournament is going to be a tad shite for the suppoters at least - huge money, cr@p (& very expensive) accomodation, zero beer in stadiums (announced just 2 days ago), water at £3 a bottle and zero water fountains (ie. free drinking water) available.

Guys I know have saved up for 2-3 years for this, but many changes made (not just beer ), at the last minute.

Only FIFA and Qatar make money.......

Pisstake IMHO