So we all have a kick-about on Christmas Day. Then back to war.
I highly doubt anyone who will be playing for Russia or Ukraine will be fighting in any war. If we were to stop the World Cup everytime there was a war on it would never happen.
The "keep politics out of sport" notion is in theory a good idea. however, it is somewhat impractical.
Most of the world was very quick to shout for sanctions against Russia, but let's say we keep politics out of economics. While we are at it let's also keep politics out of business, well in very short order there are no sanctions really are there?
Sanctions are designed to disrupt a Nations ability to exist in a state of normality and therefore apply pressure on that nations leadership to engage is dialogue and find solutions.
You cannot say it's ok to have Vlad out of work because the factory where he works cannot get the raw materials to operate or that Irina's job at the bank is on hold because the International monetary system has frozen them out, but it's ok for sports stars to continue to earn mega money because their business is exempt from sanctioning.
Sport and Politics stopped being separate when Governments either directly or indirectly started acquiring sporting clubs and teams. If banning Russian competitors, whether teams or individuals creates any extra pressure or not is open to debate.
The "keep politics out of sport" notion is in theory a good idea. however, it is somewhat impractical.
Most of the world was very quick to shout for sanctions against Russia, but let's say we keep politics out of economics. While we are at it let's also keep politics out of business, well in very short order there are no sanctions really are there?
Sanctions are designed to disrupt a Nations ability to exist in a state of normality and therefore apply pressure on that nations leadership to engage is dialogue and find solutions.
You cannot say it's ok to have Vlad out of work because the factory where he works cannot get the raw materials to operate or that Irina's job at the bank is on hold because the International monetary system has frozen them out, but it's ok for sports stars to continue to earn mega money because their business is exempt from sanctioning.
Sport and Politics stopped being separate when Governments either directly or indirectly started acquiring sporting clubs and teams. If banning Russian competitors, whether teams or individuals creates any extra pressure or not is open to debate.
The actions of Russia as a Nation, are not.
It's not impractical at all. There have been nations with worse regimes allowed into world cup before. Pinochet's Chile and Kim Jong-un's North Korea to name two.
If our government was serious about sanctions they would have already seized the assets of all the Russian oligarchs who seemingly own half of London including Chelsea FC. The sanctions currently in place are a token gesture same as the totally ineffective sanctions put in place when Russia took Crimea though obviously they are going to be better prepared for them this time.
Sports stars will continue to earn money as long as people pay to see them. Anyway players don't earn their wage for playing international football. Do you think it OK an individual who has devoted his whole life to being good at a sport gets banned from competing because of the actions of the person who controls the country he happened to be born in? I certainly don't. I take it you were campaigning for British sports people to be banned after Blair decided to invade Iraq?
Should Chelsea, Newcastle and Man City or maybe even the whole EPL should be cancelled?
I'm not going to debate that no but I'm sure there are plenty of people who have been stopped from speaking their own language, had their churches seized and who have been getting shelled by Ukraine's forces for the last 6 years, in the peoples republics of Luhansk and Donetsk who would be happy to have that debate with you.
Wow so by your last paragraph then the Invasion is justified eh? Because Donetsk and Luhansk are in a squabble over devolution and separatism Russia is right to go in.
Well by that rationale Spain or France could each invade the other claiming to be freeing the people of Catalunya whos area straddles both sides of the border including Barcelona and Perpignan, or how about Germany invades Northern Spain to free the Basques.
Politics and sport are inextricably linked especially since Putin has used sport often to showcase Russia. Although dragging it into disrepute with State sanctioned doping programmes was always going to be a bit of an own goal.
Well it would appear that FIFA and UEFA have now found a pair and have banned Russian teams from its competitions indefinately.
International Ice Hockey has followed suit, and Basketball will probably do the same. The IRFU have already indicated that they will not be accepting any Russian teams, F! have pulled the plug and I would imagine it would take a very brave federation to stand alone and continue to support Russian participation in its events.
Comments
Most of the world was very quick to shout for sanctions against Russia, but let's say we keep politics out of economics. While we are at it let's also keep politics out of business, well in very short order there are no sanctions really are there?
Sanctions are designed to disrupt a Nations ability to exist in a state of normality and therefore apply pressure on that nations leadership to engage is dialogue and find solutions.
You cannot say it's ok to have Vlad out of work because the factory where he works cannot get the raw materials to operate or that Irina's job at the bank is on hold because the International monetary system has frozen them out, but it's ok for sports stars to continue to earn mega money because their business is exempt from sanctioning.
Sport and Politics stopped being separate when Governments either directly or indirectly started acquiring sporting clubs and teams. If banning Russian competitors, whether teams or individuals creates any extra pressure or not is open to debate.
The actions of Russia as a Nation, are not.
Or is it your anti-English stance coming through
I might engage in a bit of sporting banter but I am not anti English in the slightest.
My partner of 15 years is from Cheshire ffs.
If our government was serious about sanctions they would have already seized the assets of all the Russian oligarchs who seemingly own half of London including Chelsea FC. The sanctions currently in place are a token gesture same as the totally ineffective sanctions put in place when Russia took Crimea though obviously they are going to be better prepared for them this time.
Sports stars will continue to earn money as long as people pay to see them. Anyway players don't earn their wage for playing international football. Do you think it OK an individual who has devoted his whole life to being good at a sport gets banned from competing because of the actions of the person who controls the country he happened to be born in? I certainly don't. I take it you were campaigning for British sports people to be banned after Blair decided to invade Iraq?
Should Chelsea, Newcastle and Man City or maybe even the whole EPL should be cancelled?
I'm not going to debate that no but I'm sure there are plenty of people who have been stopped from speaking their own language, had their churches seized and who have been getting shelled by Ukraine's forces for the last 6 years, in the peoples republics of Luhansk and Donetsk who would be happy to have that debate with you.
Well by that rationale Spain or France could each invade the other claiming to be freeing the people of Catalunya whos area straddles both sides of the border including Barcelona and Perpignan, or how about Germany invades Northern Spain to free the Basques.
Politics and sport are inextricably linked especially since Putin has used sport often to showcase Russia. Although dragging it into disrepute with State sanctioned doping programmes was always going to be a bit of an own goal.
Well it would appear that FIFA and UEFA have now found a pair and have banned Russian teams from its competitions indefinately.
International Ice Hockey has followed suit, and Basketball will probably do the same. The IRFU have already indicated that they will not be accepting any Russian teams, F! have pulled the plug and I would imagine it would take a very brave federation to stand alone and continue to support Russian participation in its events.