What an intelligent comment. So intelligent! Did you read the entire sentence up until the word Intolerance? Did you know that racism is a form of intolerance? Substitute the word "racism" with "intolerance" and maybe you'll get it a little better
Your values are in the right place, but what do you propose FIFA to do? Have every WC in the Netherlands? LBG intolerance is pretty much everywhere because religion and insecurity is everywhere.
It's not necessarily straightforward that Russia will be a controversial host when 2018 rolls around. For instance, Spain was awarded their WC during Franco's rule. By the time 1982 arrived he was long dead. Regardless, FIFA has nearly never involved itself in politics in the 80+ years it's handed out World Cups. The only exception was South Africa during apartheid.
If it escalates to full international sanctions it is out of FIFA's control. Right now we are only at the level of sanctions against individuals. But, if it rises to economic sanctions against Russia proper FIFA will have to move the event because breaching the sanction would be a violation of Swiss and international law. It's not there yet, but it's getting close.
Well, by the looks of it, some of the Russian population has embrassed the anti gay laws put in place. Even if Putin leaves, it's likely the laws will still be around...
What sanctions would these be? There's obviously zero chance any UN sanctions are imposed, so it'd have to be unilaterally imposed by the EU and US.
I don't view it as culturally, historically or socially within Europe the quotes were just empathizing that point. But Ukraine hosted well in 2012 so maybe Russia can too.
The South Africa ban was an exception only because there are probably around 60 or so FIFA votes from countries with a majority black population. It wasn't because FIFA is against intolerance.
True plus the whole world paradigm against South Africa shifted against it by the late 60s and early 70s. FIFA, IOC, UN and every other multinational/international organization just jumped on board.
Yet everything to do with football in Russia is in Europe. Yes a vast land, but how do you see them outside of Europe?
See my other posts I already explain it. If 2018 must be in Europe I would prefer England, benleaux nations.
petition to dismiss Russia as host... https://www.change.org/petitions/fifa-dismiss-russia-as-host-of-the-2018-world-cup
2018 didn't have to go to Europe, it could of gone anywhere, but thats how it panned out with nations pulling out to make 2018 European so they would have a better shot at 2022. Russia is a European football nation, yes it may expand into Asia, but Russia hasn't chosen any Asian cities to host games...... would have been cool if they did!
Yekaterinburg is east of the Urals. The border between Europe and Asia is somewhat vague but most people use the Ural range as the border.