World Cup Diary | Day Two

Blood on the Sand: Qatar 2022

World Cup Diary

Day 2: England v Iran, Senegal v Netherlands, & USA v Wales

Another day of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar and we woke up to the news that FIFA had threatened the European Football Associations that if they were to wear the One Love captain's armbands adorned with a rainbow heart, that they would receive sporting sanctions, including perhaps a yellow card for the wearer, suspensions from games or even points deductions for the nation.

Remember, the One Love armband had been planned for months, FIFA made a decision on the morning of matches featuring nations who had chosen to wear it.

And then in a move that made FIFA President Gianni Infantino look even more like Voldemort from the Harry Potter films, FIFA asked Belgium to remove the embroidered word “Love” from their shirts. Was not a shred of irony lost here? What is the problem with the word “Love”?

In fact, FIFA have a set of rules and guidelines for inclusivity and diversity, as well as football's role in society. “Football has to show social responsibility just as all sectors of society do.” That's not me saying that, that comes from FIFAs 2015 “Good practice guide on diversity and anti-discrimination”.

If you haven't read this 94 page document, I don't blame you, but it seems like Gianni Infantino hasn't either. And after making these decisions regarding the One Love armband and even the word “Love” itself –2022 Gianni Infantino is going to be absolutely furious when he learns what 2015 Gianni Infantino had to say.

“FIFA is demonstrating in word and deed that discrimination has no place in football” he said.

“The knowledge and expertise of our member associations is crucial in our commitment towards ensuring that football is for all. Only by working together can we ensure that this aim is achieved” he said.

“So speak out, lend a hand, take action. Safeguarding diversity in football is something we must all do.” he said.

Well, 2015 Gianni, I'm trying to speak out, to lend a hand, and to take action, as are the European Football bodies. Trouble is, 2022 Gianni Infantino is making it really difficult.

Anyway, while FIFA were focusing on important matters like erasing the word LOVE from existence, somebody had updated the FIFA ticket app incorrectly, deleting tickets for people using the app. When fans arrived at the Stadium for England v Iran they were told they couldn't get in, and they ended up queuing for hours while the ticket offices printed physical copies of tickets for the game.

It's going well isn't it?

With so many empty seats in the stadiums today, I did wonder why organisers didn't simply open the gates for all who were there. Who would go all the way to Qatar without a ticket? And even if they had, they were so easy to get a hold of.

It wasn't until FIFA released the official attendances of todays games that I realised why they couldn't just let any old person in. All of the games played in this years World Cup were actually over capacity.

That's right. Your ears are not deceiving you, your eyes were. At the opening ceremony there were 7,372 more people than there are seats, which is even more odd when you consider how many empty seats were visible. Across today's ga...