Posted on 06/11/2018 3:51:17 PM PDT by BBell
There are countless reasons to feel uneasy about the fact that in less than 72 hours, a World Cup will kick off in Russia. There is the inevitable racism. The expected, state-encouraged homophobia. The oft-discussed hooliganism that threatens to mar the greatest sport’s greatest spectacle.
There are broader reasons, too, why Russia’s hosting of the 2018 World Cup is problematic. But it only seems right to begin an article on the topic with the nagging question: How did we get here?
How did Russia, a nation so utterly undeserving of global sport’s biggest showpiece, manage to land it?
The answer still evades us. But any rational observer or skeptic is convinced that answer includes some sort of shenanigans. Something untoward. Something illicit.
A retrospective FIFA investigation into the matter, released publicly last year only after it was obtained by an investigative journalist, found no evidence of Russian wrongdoing. But it found, among other things, that computers belonging to the Russian bid team had been destroyed. It did very little to dispel suspicion surrounding a 2010 vote that has been shrouded in controversy. On the same day Qatar won the right to host the 2022 tournament ahead of the U.S., Australia, Japan and South Korea, Russia beat out England and two others. In the eight years since, there have been too many bribery allegations to keep up with. There has been a massive FIFA corruption scandal that can be traced back to 2010, to Russian suspicion, and to the man behind the now-famous Trump Dossier.
All of which is to reiterate the point: Russia probably didn’t deserve the World Cup then, just as it doesn’t now. FIFA’s inspection team rated its bid the riskiest of the four for 2018. And yet here we are.
(Excerpt) Read more at sports.yahoo.com ...
Indeed. Don’t look for any logic or reason in this. There is none.
Thanks for the list. I didn’t know which countries were in; I just knew that we didn’t make it.
Poland will be a good country to pull for. I will also be pulling for Serbia. (Don’t get me started about the war.)
I can also pull for Croatia and Japan.
This won’t be popular with certain freepers but I would like to see Russia do well because I have some Russian heritage.
I just wish that the US hadn’t melted down. It’s strange how the US women’s team is successful but the men’s squad consistently underachieves.
“I can also pull for Croatia and Japan.”
—
My granddaughter is in Croatia now——she sent pics—said it is BEAUTIFUL.
.
The libtards started their war against Russia when Russia cracked down on homosexual propaganda and halted the American adoptions of Russian children.
The left also hates Russia for fighting against the Chechen monsters. The left always sides with radical Islamics.
Simply put, Russia is too politically incorrect to suit the left.
I’m jealous of her!
I’ve seen pics of Croatia and it does look stunningly beautiful. I hope to travel to that part of Europe one day.
I think it’s a clash of hooligans. Putin on one side and everyone else on the other.
There’s still room for them on the Trump train to peace and prosperity!
Trolls are running the boarding passes.
When 0bama was elected I read or re-read 3 books. 1984, Fahrenheit 451 and Brave New World. I figured all 3 were more relevant than they ever had been before. I also read A Clock Work Orange for the heck of it.
The Top Four will be Germany, England, Brazil and Argentina.
Odds say it will be a Germany vs Brazil rematch in Moscow on July 15.
Germany heavily favored to retain the championship.
The problem is that the cities are so far spread out. Outside of Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia really is not a very good place for foreign tourists.
I’m rooting for Poland, and of course, nothing would be more satisfying to a Pole than winning it on Russian soil.
Ha ha.
Good time to pull off another Coup.
Lots of people getting beaten up by drunks. If you’re ignorant enough to travel to Russia, I can’t feel sorry for you.
Wonder if the folks at Yahoo did this kind of story about Brazil when they hosted the World Cup?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.