Hang out the flags and save hot air for things that matter

THE World Cup is nearly here! Do you have the fever? Everyone has the fever! Fever, fever, fever.

Unfortunately I have no room for World Cup fever as I am currently afflicted by a different fever – hayfever.

As I write this I am squinting out of my puffy bloodshot eyes, breathing out of my mouth due to a blocked nose and apprehensively glancing out the window at the invisible clouds of plant “passion” that are slowly killing me.

However, for those whose sinuses are not currently at war with pollen, World Cup fever has firmly set in.

Next Thursday hosts Russia will be taking on Saudi Arabia in what is set to be a ding-dong battle to see who can treat homosexuals worse (and score goals).

In the blue, white and red corner we have Russia, who want to ban LGBT people (or, as they are defined in Russian law, “non-traditional sexual relations”) from promoting their agenda among young people.

In the green corner we have Saudi Arabia, who will simply sentence them to three years’ detention and 450 lashes (the fate of a 24-year-old man for “promoting the vice and practice of homosexuality” in 2014).

No-one will be feeling the World Cup excitement more than Cardiff’s pubs.

Even though Wales sadly missed out on qualification, the dozens of games at this massive sporting spectacle still offer ample opportunity for the Brains to flow and profits to be made.

Pub chain Greene King was in full fever mode as it put up bunting all over some of its pubs, including many of its Welsh establishments.

This bunting showed the flags of the 32 nations that will be taking to Russian football pitches.

However, some people apparently did not want to get on board the banter bus.

Following complaints, the pub chain has opted to remove the Saudi Arabia flag from its bunting.

A Greene King spokeswoman said: “To celebrate the World Cup we have been displaying the flags of the participating nations to promote what we hope will be a great tournament for all.

“Following feedback from some customers in London about displaying the Saudi Arabia flag in a pub, we understand it was inappropriate as it contains the religiously significant Islam Shahada in Arabic and so we have removed it.” Wait, what? So just to clarify, because a brutal theocracy opts to have the shahada (an Islamic declaration of faith) on its flag Welsh pubs (which sell alcohol) have to be subject to its blasphemy laws?

It’s hard to know where to begin with this, and 800 words is scarcely enough space to tear apart how ridiculous this is (especially when half the piece is simply the word “fever” and talking about pollen).

Firstly, the idea that you have to curtail anything you are doing because it may offend any religion is worrying. Organised religion in all forms makes some pretty strong claims about the world and your place within it. You should be able to question anything and everything about it – providing you are not attacking individuals or inciting hatred/violence.

Secondly, it is patronising to Muslims and feeds the bigots.

As journalist Chris Sloggett put it better than I ever could: “It’s the infantilisation of Muslims and the assumption both that they cannot be expected to deal with something they find offensive and that they all think alike.

“It’s the blurring of the distinction between bigotry and standing up for the most fundamental principle on which a free society is based.

“It’s the phenomenon which gives anti-Muslim bigots the legitimate grievances they crave.”

The idea that Muslims will be so “offended” by the proximity of the flag to alcohol stretches credulity.

I find it offensive that the Union Flag is displayed in shops that sell cucumber (which is actually the devil incarnate) but I don’t expect delis to not fly it. I’m being tongue-in-cheek, of course, but you take my point.

Thirdly, it is the fact that complaints from “some customers in London” can lead to nationwide changes in bunting is a gross overreaction and hypocrisy.

Let’s face it. In Cardiff the flying of the English flag in pubs is likely a far greater blasphemy than anything else.

It is like having a Lannister flag at a House Stark buffet.

However, the fact that some Welshman is offended by the English flag is no reason at all to remove the cross of St George from bunting.

Offence is something you take, not something you give.

Ultimately there is a lot more to get angry about at this World Cup than having the Saudi flag on bunting.

The fact that homosexuality is punishable by death in Saudi Arabia, the fact women need chaperones, don’t have equal access to education or can be stoned for adultery should potentially elicit some anger.

Not that I am advocating not having the Saudi flag on bunting because of these reasons.

Sport has a great ability to break down barriers and celebrate what we share, not our differences.

However, I am saying that the removal of bunting is a gross overreaction and does far more harm than good.

Right, off to buy some Piriton.