All whites and ROI Under 22s walk off

[NZBoro1]

Two matches abandoned after alleged racist abuse

Two international matches, New Zealand v Qatar and Republic of Ireland U21 v Kuwait U22, are abandoned on Monday following allegations of racial abuse.

www.bbc.com

Haven’t seen much on this yet, let’s hope it’s the start of something.

The thoughts over here are that FIFA will sweep it under the carpet given the opponents.

 

[Druss_The_Legend]

Brave move by the two young teams.
I 100% support the stance they made and hope senior international teams follow this in the future.
Racism and any other such discrimination whether it be somebody's religion, skin colour or nationality has no place in any society. Although the horrible things which have happened in the past can't now be changed we as a species, one species need to learn from the past and build a better more tolerant future for our kids and grandkids.

 

[Caesium137]

Good on them.

Compared with the big boys teams stopping wearing the rainbow armband to not risk offending an Arabic nation, then starting to wear it again immediately after.

 

[h_m_boro]

FIFA will no doubt throw their book at the accused football authorities - $7k fine should just about do it. That and $2m backhander to look the other way .......the fooking useless, corrupt b*stards.

 

[TeaCider]

Good on them.

Compared with the big boys team stopping wearing the rainbow armband to not risk offending an Arabic nation, then starting to wear it again immediately after.

Agreed that it's good on them, but FIFA were threatening points deductions for any teams that wore the armband, it wasn't because the teams wanted to protect bigots' feelings, it was because they feared getting knocked out of the World Cup over it.

Obviously that's its own form of moral cowardice, and I wish England had held their nerve, but I don't think the situations are the same.

 

[Caesium137]

Agreed that it's good on them, but FIFA were threatening points deductions for any teams that wore the armband, it wasn't because the teams wanted to protect bigots' feelings, it was because they feared getting knocked out of the World Cup over it.

Obviously that's its own form of moral cowardice, and I wish England had held their nerve, but I don't think the situations are the same.

That's the point though, when it mattered to them, they didn't act, the situations are sort of the same. Something against the inclusive nature that the sport is meant to embrace occurred, the players made the decision to stand with their minority team mate and not take part.

All of the nations should have simply worn the armband.

Make FIFA make a decision and try and enforce it, with sponsors pulling out and masses of international bad press.

As you say, moral cowardice from the individual FA's, or just a lack of morals. Talk a good game of inclusion and diversity, until it might effect our chances of qualifying for the next round, then it doesn't matter enough to make a stand.

It was pathetic.

 

[Norman_Conquest]

That's the point though, when it mattered to them, they didn't act, the situations are sort of the same. Something against the inclusive nature that the sport is meant to embrace occurred, the players made the decision to stand with their minority team mate and not take part.
- that's all it is about
All of the nations should have simply worn the armband.

Make FIFA make a decision and try and enforce it, with sponsors pulling out and masses of international bad press.

As you say, moral cowardice from the individual FA's, or just a lack of morals. Talk a good game of inclusion and diversity, until it might effect our chances of qualifying for the next round, then it doesn't matter enough to make a stand.

It was pathetic.

Money, money, money - that's all it is about. A few slapped wrists, players attending a Racism class and all will be well with Infanino's world of football.

 

[Malaguena]

As you say, moral cowardice from the individual FA's, or just a lack of morals. Talk a good game of inclusion and diversity, until it might effect our chances of qualifying for the next round, then it doesn't matter enough to make a stand.

Exactly this - if England had any ba11s about them they'd have worn the armbands in Qatar until they were deducted points and kept on doing it until they were thrown out of the competition - the impact would have been enormous, far more than the gesture politics they're happy to do until it affects them personally

 

[TeaCider]

That's the point though, when it mattered to them, they didn't act, the situations are sort of the same.

But these were two friendlies at U21 level, as opposed to the biggest tournament in the world.

I'm not so sure either team would have walked off if there was anything riding on it, though I'd hope they would and my respect for them would be enormous if they had (not that I don't have respect for them for walking off in these friendlies).

 

[Caesium137]

But these were two friendlies at U21 level, as opposed to the biggest tournament in the world.

But that's my entire point? When it means a sporting or financial hit, the football means more to them than the diversity and inclusion.

So what's the point of empty gestures and lip service?

I'd have probably respected them more, or been less annoyed if they had stopped wearing the 'pride' armbands all together after the WC. The fact they immediately went back to wearing it is worse IMO.

It is the same nonsense in F1, race as one, inclusion and diversity. Unless we're in Hungary, then Seb can't wear a T-shirt, or the FIA try to change the drivers conditions to prevent them making 'political' statements when interviewed. After Lewis and Seb had been rather negative after being asked about Saudi.

 

[NZBoro1]

But these were two friendlies at U21 level, as opposed to the biggest tournament in the world.

I'm not so sure either team would have walked off if there was anything riding on it, though I'd hope they would and my respect for them would be enormous if they had (not that I don't have respect for them for walking off in these friendlies).

Just to be clear, they were friendlies but only the ROI one was under 21, the AWs wasa our full blown team.

As a small nation in football I can't see anything happening here.

There was a big discussion on the pitch with our captain and the referee when it happened, but nothing was done. They went off for half time, had a discussion in the changing rooms and decided not to come out.