World in emotion

FOOTBALL and politics do mix when FIFA awarded the most controversial World Cup in history to Qatar, an authoritarian Gulf state accused of buying the tournament to whitewash its reputation.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s meltdown might be funny if abuse of migrants, safety of LGBT fans and persecution of dissenters were not serious issues that deserve to be tackled.

Infantino can shut his eyes, put fingers in his ears and follow a code of omerta if that is how he wishes to play, but everybody else is entitled to say what they think.

Supporters back home or the few in Qatar are equally entitled to get behind their teams and England and Wales will enjoy noisy, vibrant enthusiasm when they kick off today against Iran and the USA respectively.

Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions taking the knee at the match against Iran, a team with members who have voiced solidarity with women treated monstrously by a violent theocracy, is another sign that football and politics mixing can send a positive signal.