(SOMETHING INSIDE) SO WRONG?
“We’re gonna do it anyway. We’re gonna do it anyway. We’re gonna do it anyway. We’re gonna do it anyway.”
As a meme for our times, the crescendo of Barry from EastEnders’ version of Labi Siffre’s (Something Inside) So Strong at the 2014 World Indoor Bowls Championships remains unsurpassed. People of influence and power will carry on with their power and influence regardless of the dissent of the commoner and the reasoning of so-called experts and Fifa is no different in this regard, with Don Gianni Infantino set to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
That the expected winning bid for 2030 takes in three continents, six nations and yet more air miles means that Saudi Arabia, as sole bidder, is nailed on for 2034. Unlike that day in 2010 when Russia and Qatar were handed the Ethics and Human Rights World Cups in a glitzy Swiss ballroom, this ceremony will be online only. Infantino will hide away from scrutiny behind a screen with the winning bids accompanied by “applause”, rather than votes, boos or anything less palatable. Perhaps Infantino, the big showman, will use a clap-o-meter in the style of Hughie Green on Opportunity Knocks.
Does anyone fancy stopping this? Well, the Norwegian FA has at least broken ranks to declare it will vote against the awarding of hosting rights for the 2030 and 2034 World Cups by acclamation, adding that it has written a letter to Fifa criticising the process. English FA officials, meanwhile, are ‘mindful of concerns’ over Saudi Arabia’s human rights record. However, some are also wary of suggestions of hypocrisy if the FA declines to endorse the tournament, but then participates in it. Heaven forbid anyone in football ends up looking like a hypocrite.
Sir Keir Starmer was pressing the flesh of Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) just last weekend, hoping for a return visit where “the leaders would be able to watch a game of football in between meetings if he took up the offer”. The chances of MBS and Starmer heading down to watch Leyton Orient together are about as remote as this email can imagine. Though perhaps still not as unlikely as football suits and governing bodies truly embracing the human rights concerns attached to a Saudi World Cup.
A Big Website investigation earlier this year found “evidence of high numbers of unexplained deaths in Saudi Arabia of migrant workers from Bangladesh, with at least 13,685 dying in the country between 2008 and 2022. More than 1,500 Bangladeshis died in 2022 alone – a rate of more than four a day.” Lessons learned from the first Human Rights World Cup? Not many. More from Big Website: “A long-awaited Fifa report on whether it should compensate migrant workers who suffered severe labour abuses on projects linked to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Despite a recommendation from its own subcommittee on human rights and social responsibility that it do so, Fifa’s answer was, in effect, a resounding no.”
LIVE ON BIG WEBSITE
Join John Brewin at 5.45pm (GMT) for updates from Girona 0-2 Liverpool, while Luke McLaughlin will be on hand with a Bigger Cup clockwatch at 8pm.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
Learning to walk again has been an incredible challenge. My appreciation of support from family, friends, colleagues, supporters, and medical professionals has been profound. I’ve been able to cycle in the Peak District, and swing golf clubs at the driving range, although my follow through needs some work (I’ve not fallen over yet!). Although my prognosis is still uncertain, believe me that positivity and laughter can prove the best medicine as I experienced with old friends from school on a canal narrow boat on my birthday. There is always light somewhere ahead – new possibilities, new challenges” – Nigel Pearson reveals how his life has been affected by a “neurological situation” in the past 13 months and speaks of his gratitude for those who have helped him on his journey.
FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS
A propos your comments about the extortionately high ticket prices at MUFC (yesterday’s Football Daily), this may be the exact moment to refresh the fact that nearly 20 years ago, in May 2005, 6,000 Manchester United supporters walked away from top-flight football and formed FC United of Manchester. Our new club serves as the biggest consistent weekly protest against the Glazers, the debt burden unfairly placed on United, and the extraordinary amount of money that has ruined the top-flight game. It’s been a rollercoaster ride since then, but our ethos of low matchday ticket prices still persists, with tickets at £13 for adults and juniors are £3. Season tickets are priced on a ‘pay what you can afford’ basis. Here’s a wonderful video (there are loads similar out there on YouTube) summarising the club’s reason for existing. We’ve a Christmas home game coming up on 26 December and could really do with the publicity to encourage all the many disaffected ‘Big United’ fans to roll up and try us out” – Jonathan Kendal.
With Spursy all but guaranteed to grace the Oxford English Dictionary by 2025, it seems only fair to speculate which other football-inspired adjectives might follow. Surely Fulhamy deserves a nod – perfect for describing someone who never does anything remotely exciting, much like Fulham’s fixture list often seemingly comprised entirely of mid-table opposition. Then there’s Bournemouthy (no relation to ‘born mouthy’), ideal for those who somehow thrive just when you’ve written them off entirely. As for Arsenaly and Unitedy, perhaps we should let the season play out a little longer before committing to definitions. After all, it’s only fair to give Arsenal time to implode spectacularly or United time to convince us they’ve finally turned a corner … again” – Phil Hearn.
Send letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s letter o’ the day winner is … Jonathan Kendal, who wins a copy of the new David Squires book, Chaos in the Box. Terms and conditions for our competitions can be viewed here.
RECOMMENDED LOOKING
It’s David Squires on … Big Sir Jim’s attempts to make Santa’s grotto more efficient.
And David’s latest tome is out now, now, now! You can order your copy of Chaos in the Box at a £3 discount here. Need any further persuading? We’ve got an exclusive extract for you to get a taste, too.
This is an extract from our daily football email … Football Daily. To get the full version, just visit this page and follow the instructions.
