Metro-Briefe November 21, 2022: Does politics belong to the World Cup?

The World Cup has begun, but remains highly controversial.

While some readers say Qatar shouldn’t have hosted in the first place, others say the reaction has been hypocritical.

What do you think? Don’t forget to give us your opinion…

■ The news that pubs and bars are not broadcasting World Cup matches in Qatar in protest at the country’s human rights record is welcome (Metro, Thurs).

Qatar shouldn’t have won the bid to host the tournament in the first place. Their discrimination against the LGBT+ community, their human rights abuses, and their abysmal job security should have stopped them. Alan Jensen, Westhampstead

■ Our condemnation of LGBT+ laws in Qatar is a missed opportunity and deep hypocrisy. Unacceptable as they are, shouldn’t we ask ourselves why gay male footballers in the UK dare not come out? Ian Niven, Watford

■ Regarding pubs and bars banning World Cup matches in protest of Qatar’s human rights record and anti-gay laws.

Surely this information was known when the offer took place. If we are so concerned about these issues, why are we allowing Qatar to invest in UK supermarkets and banks?

And the last World Cup was in Russia, which bombed Syria, but nobody said anything. Anvar, London

■ Some pubs say they will not show the World Cup in protest at human rights in Qatar. Who cares? People will go elsewhere. Are we assuming these pubs don’t use Chinese made goods? Or import energy from countries like Saudi Arabia? Mudher Al-Adnani, Harrow

■ We often see copious amounts of physical hugs, hugs or even kisses in moments of pure joy and rejoicing when goals are scored in all games, especially football. And among male gamers, this is nothing new and not uncommon.

It will be very interesting to see how this is treated and handled during the Qatar World Cup. Are all these actions cut off and muted? Megan S, Ashford, Kent

■ The farce of Qatar 2022 is upon us. I find it scandalous that this tournament is taking place. It is obvious that Qatar won the tournament purely for money. Shame on Fifa for allowing a country with such appalling human rights abuses to host them.

I have a feeling it will end in shambles. One can only hope that Qatar doesn’t score a single point and are eliminated from the group stage. Alfie Mullin, West London

■ Regarding the man selling a calendar celebrating English footballer Jack Grealish’s calves (MetroTalk, Fri). It’s all very good, but I have to ask – is it right that young footballers, or footballers at all, are being encouraged to play without shin guards? This not only puts them at risk of injury, but also serious infections from the surfaces they play on. Roy Rodger, Wirral

■ Wouldn’t it be better to create a calendar of your best swan dives? I don’t know how anyone can see their calves because they’re always rolling around the court. December, Essex

The devil is in the details of well-known ghost letters

■ If you’re bored with the ghost stories printed here, as Bored Of Non-stories says (MetroTalk, Fri), here’s a tip for you – don’t read them. Ash, Sussex

■ Regarding Simon from Bromley (MetroTalk, Fri) speaking of a tall, blue man crouching through doors. Growing up in Bromley, I have memories of a spooky tall figure ducking through doors. I don’t suppose that was Cambridge Road, was it? Alan, via email

■ Biblically speaking, spirits are Satan’s invention to deceive people that there is no specific destination when we die. How does he achieve that? His demons lay on the body of the dead and show themselves to people who help advertise them.
Moses Adio, evangelist and Bible teacher

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