World Cup shows a universal truth – in sport, money talks

It feels somewhat fitting the most controversial World Cup in the history of the game should begin with the most spectacular of own-goals by Fifa president Gianni Infantino.

Any hope of the 2022 World Cup getting under way without further controversy was torpedoed by the man at the top of the game’s governing body’s decision to stage one of the most tone-deaf press conferences in modern times on the eve of the tournament.

Given we’ve had Barnard Castle eye tests, partygate, prime ministers galore and more cabinet ministers than you can count in this country alone in recent years it’s quite a statement to make to put Infantino in the conversation never mind at the top of the pile.

But for me, yes, his failure to read the room was as bad as it gets. Rumour has it even Matt Hancock was shaking his head in the jungle at it.

Infantino said Western countries should apologise for their own histories. People in glass houses, and all that.

While there are few countries with a whiter than white track record when it comes to human rights, Infantino sidestepped the most glaring truth of all – the money on offer from Qatar was too good for Fifa to turn down. That they are willing to turn a blind eye to everything else which comes from it is nothing new.

Sportwashing, for those who don’t know, is the term used to describe when regimes use sport to improve its reputation which has been tarnished by wrongdoing.

When it comes to Qatar, they are in a class of their own but they are not the first country to have a chequered past – or present for that matter.

Russia spent an estimated £11.69 billion ($13.9bn) for the World Cup four years ago.

Qatar has spent £185bn ($220bn) by comparison, 11 times more than the previous record £16bn ($19.1bn) held by Brazil.

Will that incredible sum of money do anything to change the perception of the country? Probably not but if nothing else you have to admire their effort.

Qatar has been criticised for its poor record when it comes to treatment of LGBTQ+ people and the much publicised migrant workers who died in the construction of stadiums for this event.

They are worthy of debate of course, but it is interesting the same publicity was not given to Russia four years ago or to China when it hosted the Olympic Games.

After all, their own respective records are hardly squeaky clean.

Comedian Joe Lycett did his utmost to shine a light on Qatar’s stance against homosexuality by threatening to shred £10,000 of his own money if David Beckham, who is reportedly being paid £10 million by Qatar to promote the World Cup and the country, did not withdraw from the deal.

If Beckham withdrew before the noon deadline from his deal Lycett pledged to donate the money to charity. Well, noon came and went and so too did the £10,000 pounds into Lycett’s shredder.

Lycett got everyone talking on social media but nothing has changed.

We have presenters such as Gary Lineker and Alex Scott discussing the nonfootball issues since the announcement the tournament was coming to Qatar was made 12 years ago.

But as the minutes ticked by it quietened and we still had an opening ceremony, featuring Morgan Freeman no less.

Dion Dublin spoke of how much he had enjoyed the build-up and expressed his hope for goals from the opening game between hosts Qatar and Ecuador.

His wish was granted and soon normal service was resumed with all the talk back on to the beautiful game and not the politics around it.

One suspects the Fifa president would have approved.

UP IN SMOKE: Fireworks in the sky during the opening ceremony of the 2022 World Cup at the 60,000-capacity Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor.