FOOTBALL CAN BRING CHANGES TO ARABIA
I HAVE always been a believer that sport and politics shouldn’t mix.
But before those Sunday Mirror Sport readers with long memories remind me that I once got fined for celebrating a goal by stripping down to a T-shirt with a message of support for striking Liverpool dockers, I am also of the opinion that the global pull of football means it can be a powerful force for positive change to people’s lives.
That’s why I didn’t have any issue with Qatar hosting the World Cup last year – and why I think Saudi Arabia will stage a tournament to make the game proud in 2034.
Having spent four months in Saudi last year as manager of Al Qadsiah, I can assure you the country is football crazy.
We averaged crowds of 7,0008,000. The four biggest clubs in the country regularly pull in attendances of 50,000-plus.
Interest in the game is only going to grow – and hosting the World Cup will be a huge factor in that.
Obviously, I didn’t like the way my tenure at Al Qadsiah came to an abrupt end – but that’s a separate issue.
Of course, there are huge cultural differences between the Middle East and the West. These should be questioned and challenged.
But if FIFA are serious in trying to use the game to bring down barriers, then they are right to insist that any member nation has the right to stage the biggest tournament of them all.
The World Cup shines a light on these issues. I have become a regular visitor to that part of the world – and change is happening.
Those changes might not be happening at a pace that will pacify everyone – and dissenters have every right to hold that opinion – but I have seen for myself how the United Arab Emirates is moving forward, for example.
It’s clear to me that Saudi Arabia wants to be a part of that process.
Having been blessed with huge natural resources, countries in the Middle East are looking for new investment opportunities to develop their wealth in readiness for a time when the oil and gas runs out.
I don’t want to be seen as a cheerleader for Saudi Arabia’s World Cup bid.
But if football can help to foster progress on a wide range of human rights issues, then surely that’s a good thing?
Every country has its own culture. It is the responsibility of visitors to respect that – just as we would expect from tourists coming to the UK.
I know many supporters weren’t happy about the way the Qatari government reneged on an agreement with FIFA to allow alcohol to be served in fan zones on the eve of the last tournament.
Booze is even more taboo in Saudi and maybe the organising committee should be clear what their country’s stance is on that.
What I would add is that the tournament is still over a decade away and I believe positive change will move forward in Saudi Arabia between now and then.