Qatar WC | Fans and Atmosphere Watch
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
There's some degree of xenophobia in my opinion though. "Hey look at those fake/paid Asian fans!"
Ah no. That’s mocking someone on the basis of where they come from. Taking the piss out of football fans for supporting nations that aren’t their own is purely on the basis of their behaviour. Nothing to do with race or nationality.
I think you’re probably literally correct here. Xenophobia being fear of the strange. And their behaviour is very strange to most football fans. Hence the silly conspiracy theory about them all being fake fans. Because the reality is so strange it’s hard to believe.
And to be clear, I’m conscious that Manchester United fans who aren’t from Manchester taking the piss out of this behaviour is a little ironic.
It wouldn't be strange when the games start. It is strange happening 9 days before first match and before any of the teams or players are there.
Why does it have to be racism? If I'd see some hardcore Germany "ultras" from Holland, I'd cringe too.
If a load of people in Cornwall suddenly start supporting Newcastle, I'd absolutely thin they were glory hunters, plastic fans and all the usual crap. This isn't a million miles away from that.
Who care what I think though, I'm not gonna stop them.
Maybe it’s a once in a lifetime trip so they want to make the most of it? Plus a proportion will already live in Qatar.
The beer story referenced above. Never expected them to openly sell beers, just surprised they said they would then changed so late. Got FIFA all wrapped up.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63674631
That would be like having a hardcore group of Liverpool fans from Salford! Unimaginable.
Nobody is travelling there 9 days before. They all live there already. It is a small country with very little to see and all the venues are extremely close to each other.
I am just happy that we've had enough "glory" to have glory hunters!
They don’t all live there already. We’ve heard plenty of stories about football fans from Kerala etc travelling over to support their team of choice.
Have we? We have heard general stories about football fans from Kerala. I haven't seen any stories or any argument why anyone would travel there 9-12 days before their team plays.
Not succesful enough and lacks star power I guess.
For the record, Mexican fans arriving in Qatar already getting in trouble with the authorities for trying to bring tequila in country
You sure it’s not Keralans already living in Qatar? There’s almost half a million of them.
They are basically budget Germans and they are usually quite generous against Germany at tournaments. So in a way it would be quite natural.
It feels a bit forced to go straight to racism and xenophobia, when people find it strange to see people from the other end of the world showing more enthusiasm than the actual countrymen and on some entirely different tangent of support. Maybe it's ignorance from the privilege of living in a strong football nation, but alleging anything mean spirited behind it, without pointing out concerete proof, seems a bit far fetched and looks like it's part of the other rather lazy deflections of criticism.
Facial hair today in support of Mexico.
(it didn't work unfortunately)
Holy shit it's Cheech Marin!
I think the Grauniad article linked up-thread talked to Keralans about their trip over?
Oh right I missed that.
Actually, I got that wrong. Just said they were from Kerala and I assumed they’d travelled from there for the WC.
Not everyone. About 3-5 posters here. and to be clear I'm against the WC being there.
That's a rare occurance. Probably a lot of paid people in Qatar for that
But a real example would be people from Kolkatta (city in NE India) being mad for the Brazil team for years.
Ya it is more likely that they are from Kerala, but work in Qatar.
They have fan pages on Insta and FB https://www.instagram.com/england_fans_kerala/?hl=en
Of course they would.
Qatar didn't demand anything. The world cup is rotated to increase growth and fill the pockets of corrupt officials. They paid the most bribes, which is how it's awarded. It's the reality of life, and why should they be punished for it?
I mean it sucks and shouldn't happen but they played by the rules that people from "countries that actually play the sport" set.
Hate should be directed at corrupt FIFA.
Given the fact that it's mid-season as opposed to during the Summer after a long season and as a consequence players will be fresher, there's every chance the games will be of higher quality than usual in World Cups.
We got bad press over paying you so now we're going to renege of the deal. That won't get us even worse press... Feckin geniuses
So all this is just about party? They just love football and would support pretty much everyone. Because it is hard, in my opinion, to be hardcore fan to multiple teams. Specially national teams. If you love your national team it feel strange to be hardcore (insert other nation name) fan just because your team didn't qualify.
Just so you know. I still don't think it is wrong. Just strange in my opinion.
I don't think you should have to apologise for finding it very strange.
If that's what they want to do then yeah fine, but I do find it odd.
If that's what they want to do then yeah fine, but I do find it odd.
The bit you forget is that their national team is absolutely shit and has no hope of playing in the World Cup anytime soon so there is no conflict
Besides I know tons of people who support multiple teams in different divisions, counties etc and now again these teams do end up playing each other in cup draws
Don't people follow PL clubs when their local teams are in some way lower divisions. Something similar to that. If their home nations were regularly in WC, then they would probably not be a fan of any other NT.
Why is it ironic?
It's the paid aspect I have an issue with, not that they're Asian. It's not the people I have an issue with, it's the government/PR.
It's very surface level from the Qatar government to make it appear like fans have actually travelled but everyone can see through it.
I'm fine with anyone supporting England that isn't from England, it's a bit weird but hey, if you want to, go for it. Being paid to do so is another matter though, the fakery is too much given everything else gone on. That's not on those being paid, that's on the Qatari authorities.
I don't doubt they're football mad.
I doubt the sincerity of them choosing who they support given they're being paid by the Qatari authorities to put on a show.
A great many of them will be diehard fans, a great many more will be told 'wear this, chant that, here's your money...oh wait, no, we're not paying you anymore'.
Yes, a great many do. I get your point.