World Cup Football - The Iranian dilema

[William]

This could be rather interesting:

The thorniest dilemma facing Germany as it prepares to host the World Cup is what to do about Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran’s hardline President, if he insists on coming to watch his team play next month.


Germany is obliged to admit the head of state of a participating nation, and the tournament’s official motto is “A Time To Make Friends”. But Mr Ahmadinejad has demanded Israel’s destruction and has repeatedly denied the Holocaust — a crime in Germany.
NI_MPU('middle');Iran’s first match is in Nuremberg, used by Hitler for his mass rallies, and German neo-Nazis are planning a march in support of Mr Ahmadinejad. Israel, Iranian exiles and German politicians are demanding he be kept away. “The question is whether Germany as host can prevent the visit of a head of state who has shown himself to be a repulsive and embarrassing anti-Semite,” Ehud Olmert, the Israeli Prime Minister, said.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...163656,00.html

[Marmite the Dog]

Hopefully someone will put a bullet through his head.

[colourful-era]

He should certainly be able to come and watch Iran play.

The World Cup is about football , not politics.

[aging one]

Then duck tape his fucking mouth shut, as a condition to attending the match. With the beard he has, it would hurt like hell taking the tape off.

[colourful-era]

I remember last World Cup (I think) there was the match of Iran v. USA

That would be even more interesting now.

If I remember correctly it was 1-0 to Iran.

[aging one]

1998, 2-1 Iran.

[colourful-era]

^cheers AO

Iran v. Israel would be interesting!

[William]

C-E, they'd never allow it. That's why Israel plays in a different qualification group (Australia or Europe, cannot remember which)

[colourful-era]

They may not allow it in the qualification stages but surely they couldn't avoid a possible encounter in the World Cup itself.

Still , not sure if either or both teams have qualified anyway.

[ChiangMai noon]

Iran qualified.

[machangezi]

What has politics got to do with sports?

[britmaveric]

Iran/USA, Iran/Israel makes no difference - footie players could care less. Iranian people are rather pro yank - unfortunately the govt/mullahs are not.

[Troubled]

C-E, they'd never allow it. That's why Israel plays in a different qualification group (Australia or Europe, cannot remember which)

Israel plays in the european qualifyers.
Australia up intil this World cup played in the Oceania (i think) qualifyers but last year thay applied and were granted membership of the Asian federation and will play in the Asian qualifyers for the next world cup

[Troubled]

What has politics got to do with sports?

In general i agree but in practice i am not so sure.
USA-Russia in Olympic Ice hockey was not just sports.
Gunmen at Munich Olympics
Jesse Owens - Berlin Olympics

Australia versus Israel in footie a few years back and the australians played the German national anthem..

Then on the other hand Yugoslavia, remember them, had a great soocer team made up of all parts of the country with no apparent problems.

Finally for me the best example is that of the Irish rugby union team which throughout "the troubles" has been made up of players from the north and south protestants and catholics with one objective "stick it to the english"

Sport can not take place in a vacuum - shame though

[aging one]

Sport and politics should not meet. Two Olympic games were screwed up by then Moscow by the USA, and then LA by the former Soviet Union.

Stupid. But keep your mouth save sports!!

[Troubled]

Sport and politics should not meet. Two Olympic games were screwed up by then Moscow by the USA, and then LA by the former Soviet Union.

Stupid. But keep your mouth save sports!!

perhaps should not but sport can not exist in a vacuum

[aging one]

Agreed mate, but boycotts due no good at all except end an athletes hopes after so many years of training. What good does the politics do?

[Marmite the Dog]

Shall I move this to issues?