This is a very nice plan. Trying to think through my own as well and finding the right balance. I get why people would want to boycott and pass no judgment. It’s just this is the biggest spectacle in the soccer world and it’s almost impossible to ignore.
I really appreciate your clear headed and historically grounded unpacking of the issues at play here - the villain is almost always empire, whee - but I still think I'm going to sit most of this World Cup out, I just don't think I'll be able to enjoy it, precisely because (as you noted eloquently) these issues aren't going away, if anything, they're getting worse [I still remember the stories of worker treatment from the Brazil World Cup in 2014]
Look, I see and understand the hypocrisy of, say, enjoying a Champions League game and feeling revulsion at this World Cup. Money has completely won when it comes to professional sports, and I still, alas, love sports. But I dunno, at some point you have to draw a line in the "no ethical consumption" sand and say yeah I'm not gonna like, vocally approve of where we're going anymore, and rearranging the entire footy calendar so that a few incredibly wealthy and reactionary people can show off to the world is I guess where mine is.
Not judging any of you who will watch and enjoy it, mind. And, all that said, I can't fucking wait for Grace's recaps of previous World Cup winning sides!!!!! Delightful idea. Loved the Maradona ones.
Since I am boycotting watching any of these matches on humanitarian and political grounds, I need to rely on the kindness of others to find out what is happening. Looking forward to Grace's commentary.
Thanks for the memory of the Brazil-Netherlands game from the 1994 WC. I saw the Dutch in person in the DC match against Saudi Arabia and the first KO match against Ireland in Orlando. I tried to get a ticket to the Dallas game against Brazil but none were to be had at a reasonable price. My dream of seeing an Orange clad team hoist the trophy was crushed again.
Hello Grace, Looking forward to all your world cup coverage! Quick question- Just wondering, does the 20% off apply to existing subscribers as well as in could I renew for an additional year with the discount applied or is that new subscribers only? Thanks!
This is a very nice plan. Trying to think through my own as well and finding the right balance. I get why people would want to boycott and pass no judgment. It’s just this is the biggest spectacle in the soccer world and it’s almost impossible to ignore.
I really appreciate your clear headed and historically grounded unpacking of the issues at play here - the villain is almost always empire, whee - but I still think I'm going to sit most of this World Cup out, I just don't think I'll be able to enjoy it, precisely because (as you noted eloquently) these issues aren't going away, if anything, they're getting worse [I still remember the stories of worker treatment from the Brazil World Cup in 2014]
Look, I see and understand the hypocrisy of, say, enjoying a Champions League game and feeling revulsion at this World Cup. Money has completely won when it comes to professional sports, and I still, alas, love sports. But I dunno, at some point you have to draw a line in the "no ethical consumption" sand and say yeah I'm not gonna like, vocally approve of where we're going anymore, and rearranging the entire footy calendar so that a few incredibly wealthy and reactionary people can show off to the world is I guess where mine is.
Not judging any of you who will watch and enjoy it, mind. And, all that said, I can't fucking wait for Grace's recaps of previous World Cup winning sides!!!!! Delightful idea. Loved the Maradona ones.
Great article! Excited to read your coverage!
Sean Ingle did WHAT 😡
Since I am boycotting watching any of these matches on humanitarian and political grounds, I need to rely on the kindness of others to find out what is happening. Looking forward to Grace's commentary.
Thanks for the memory of the Brazil-Netherlands game from the 1994 WC. I saw the Dutch in person in the DC match against Saudi Arabia and the first KO match against Ireland in Orlando. I tried to get a ticket to the Dallas game against Brazil but none were to be had at a reasonable price. My dream of seeing an Orange clad team hoist the trophy was crushed again.
Hello Grace, Looking forward to all your world cup coverage! Quick question- Just wondering, does the 20% off apply to existing subscribers as well as in could I renew for an additional year with the discount applied or is that new subscribers only? Thanks!