My World Cup protest

The FIFA World Cup, which began June 14 in Russia, has long been on my must-see list of sporting events. So it may surprise you to learn that I have decided to abstain from watching the skill and fanfare that make soccer the “Great Game.”

I usually tune out the political noise surrounding sports — such as the NFL’s national anthem controversy.

But given that this year’s World Cup is being played in a country that treats America as an enemy, I am unable to experience the tournament as an escapist pleasure.

Russian President Vladimir Putin undoubtedly sees the World Cup as an opportunity to burnish his country’s image and increase his popularity.

But it would frustrate the autocrat’s public relations effort if the soccer tournament drew poor television ratings.

New Haven soccer fans can help make this happen by refusing to watch the games. The Kremlin surely deserves whatever push-back Americans can offer.

Putin, who recently rigged his own reelection, interfered in our 2016 presidential race and is widely suspected of planning similar interventions in Europe. Besides his electoral shenanigans, Putin’s laundry list of rogue activities includes having opponents murdered on foreign soil, illegally annexing part of Ukraine and propping up the murderous Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.

And he hates the United States so much, he signed legislation prohibiting Americans from adopting children from Russian orphanages.

In addition to denying Putin a platform to display the version of Russia he wants the world to see, a viewer’s boycott would let FIFA, media

outlets and advertisers know that there is a price to pay for dealing with bad international actors. A grassroots boycott of the World Cup would also give our politically divided country a much-needed, non-partisan cause to rally around.

Low viewer ratings from New Haven would be an especially strong expression of disgust with Putin, since the area has such a large “futbol” following.

If television personalities and other celebrities can be boycotted for controversial tweets and commentaries, the public can certainly agree to look away from a sporting spectacle overseen by one of democracy’s most dangerous foes.

Despite my call for a World Cup protest, I realize that soccer fans will have a hard time boycotting an event they have been waiting four years to see.

But even if bars around the country are overflowing with people reacting to every goal and offside call, I can take satisfaction in knowing I denied myself some pleasure to make an important statement — even if I am the only person making it.

I will miss the fun and excitement of soccer’s biggest showcase. But I would rather turn away from the World Cup than watch games that make a demonic despot smile.