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As the on-field action continues at the FIFA World Cup, including Argentina’s shock loss to Saudi Arabia in one of the all-time great upsets, here’s what’s happening behind the scenes in Qatar on Day 3.
Saudi fans delirious after all-time upset
In the first of the overnight matches, Saudi Arabia pulled off a stunning 2-1 upset of Leo Messi’s Argentina side. As over the moon fans exited Lusail Stadium, some could be seen performing the ‘Siuuu’ celebration made famous by Messi’s long-time adversary Cristiano Ronaldo.
Watching back at home, one fan was so overwhelmed with emotion that he partook in what can only be described as an unorthodox celebration. That’s what it means to those long-suffering supporters.
These fans, whose side have only qualified for the World Cup for the sixth time and haven’t progressed past the group stage in 28 years, can now begin to dream of a magical run in Qatar, though tough tests are still to come against Poland and Mexico before they get too far ahead of themselves.
(Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
To put the win in perspective, according to Gracenote Sports it is the greatest upset in World Cup history, ahead of results such as the United States’ 1-0 triumph over England 72 years ago. The football stats company had Tuesday’s result as an 8.7 per cent chance of occurring.
Supermarket pulls sponsorship over armband ban
On the back of FIFA’s decision to ban the “OneLove” armband captains from seven nations – including Germany, England and Wales – were set to wear, German supermarket chain Rewe have pulled their sponsorship of the DFB (German football association).
REWE had been selling player card albums as a tie-in promotion with the World Cup, but the supermarket said it will be donating all revenue to charity.
FIFA’s decision, and the seven nations’ compliance, caused a huge storm on social media with fans and journalists criticising the teams’ lack of fortitude to go through with wearing the pro-LGBTQI armbands.
In the overnight matches, all captains complied with the new directive from the world governing body to wear its own “No Discrimination” armbands.
Legendary German midfielder Michael Ballack also took a shot at the teams, admonishing them for “caving in” on the armband issue.
“Without (the seven teams), we wouldn’t have a World Cup. They have the opportunity to make a statement,” Ballack added.
Meanwhile, sports apparel giant Adidas, whose logo adorns several teams’ kits in Qatar, urged “openness for all”.
“We support our players and teams as they work towards positive change,” said Adidas spokesman Oliver Brueggen.
“Sports provides a stage for important issues. It is essential to continue the discussion.”
After his bizarre pre-tournament speech, in which he said he was “feeling gay”, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has been conspicuously silent on this issue and broader restrictions on LGBTQI support in Qatar.
British legends in on-air clash
Roy Keane and Graeme Souness are hardly known for keeping their cool at the best of times in their work as pundits, so perhaps it’s no surprise that the two legends clashed on-air during British public broadcaster ITV’s pre-game coverage of the Argentina-Saudi Arabia clash.
As discussion turned to off-field matters, the Scotsman qualified the social issues in Qatar that have been amplified with the eyes of the world on the Middle East nation by saying that we “don’t live in a perfect world”.
“The World Cup shouldn’t be here,” Keane immediately replied.
The former Manchester United star then referenced the death of migrant workers who built the World Cup Stadiums, as well as the outlawing of homosexuality, as reasons why Qatar didn’t deserve to host the world’s biggest sporting event.
Souness moved on to the topic of foreign ownership of English Premier League clubs and “sportswashing”, bringing up Saudi investment in Newcastle United as evidence that England had to look in their own backyard as well.
“The bottom line: we’re talking about common decency, how you treat people. Let’s get back to basics – we’ve got to treat people with decency,” Keane concluded.
The BBC have also been critical of FIFA and the Qatari regime, refusing to broadcast the opening ceremony and instead allowing Gary Lineker to have at it with an unflattering monologue.
Crusaders invade Qatar
England fans had plenty to cheer about after their opening game rout of Iran, but it has emerged that some fans caused a stir with local fans and officials by dressing up as crusaders.
The group of fans, dressed in chain mail and Knights Templar robes and carrying foam swords, reportedly sang ‘God Save the Queen’ and posed for selfies with amused onlookers, but the locals weren’t as impressed with the fancy dress.
Unconfirmed reports on social media claimed the would-be knights were turned away from the Iran clash at Khalifa International Stadium and even detained by officials.
One crusader, speaking to TalkTV, complained about real supporters being priced out of football’s showpiece event in favour of “corporates” who “help financially in the background”.
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