With the World Cup being played this year during off-season in Qatar, the first time the tournament is being held in the Middle East, and amid reports of the country’s poor human rights records for women, manual workers, and the LGBTQ+ community, we asked readers if big money is influencing sports institutions like FIFA or the NBA to the detriment of professional sports.

 

“No, I don’t think it hurts the sport. You know why? Because Qatar in the summer has very hot temperatures, so that’s why they switched it from the summer to November. November, right now, in Qatar it’s beautiful weather and they’re holding the World Cup there. But I think everybody is happy there right now. I think that this is, like, the first World Cup held in the fall season. I don’t know if that’s a big problem for the players or the fans. Everything is going well. I’m a Morocco fan. They’re good and their next match is against Belgium.”

Ayoub ElBouhyaoui,

Morris Park

“Yes, I do think money is having an impact on sports; it’s negative. The World Cup wasn’t supposed to be in Qatar because it’s not a site that’s open to everybody. So, I think FIFA should organize the World Cup somewhere else, where everybody can be accepted and everybody can be welcomed, and that doesn’t happen in Qatar. They have a lot of human rights issues. So, I think a lot of money was involved for the event to take place over there. It does have a negative impact on the sport because people are going to start to think that money can buy everything, and that can put some doubt in the results at the end. So, we’re going to wonder if it was a legit end or was money involved again. We’d never know. I’m still watching, I don’t watch every day because I work long hours. I must watch Brazil because that’s where I’m from, so I watch my country. I think they’re doing good. I think they’re going to win.”

Mario Souza,

Parkchester

“Well, it’s definitely all about money, you know what I’m saying? Everything revolves around money. The more money you make, the better players you have on your team, the more spectacular you can make the stadium, so people will want to come. So yes, I think the game could be stolen, just because they want the money that’s circulating. I’m rooting for France. Sometimes you’ve got to go on faith and that’s basically what I’m doing.”

Chandler Monroe,

Yonkers (visiting Kingsbridge Heights)

“I think big money is detrimental to a variety of things in the way that global capitalism has adverse effects on most of our lives. In the case of sports, we see it in concentrated wealth, generated mostly, thanks to the players, in the hands of a minority of rich owners, a small number of rich teams or a handful of developed nations. In the case of the World Cup, a small group of individuals at FIFA, many of whom are banned from soccer, in prison, or dead, likely took bribes or lucrative agreements in exchange for their support on Qatar’s controversial bid. FIFA took the money and none of the players belong to, or are employed by, FIFA. They would be associated with their respective national federations. I’m not rooting for one team. I think a team from South America is due for a win.”

Juan Escalante,

Hartsdale, Westchester

“If it was up to me, I would have protested where the games were held. I do think teams stack the deck by paying players so much, for example the Yankees. I’ve noticed on “True Housewives of Qatar” on Bravo, they try to make you think the women live such an extravagant, care-free life and that they have freedom like women here do. The show only portrays the rich, and you never see a maid or any common people, and where they shoot, the restaurant is usually empty. I think USA will beat Iran three to one.”

Lisa Meyer,

West Islip, NY

Editor’s Note: The Netflix documentary “FIFA Uncovered” describes the origins and trajectory of the organization, and the apparent bribery that took place over the years in respect of the bids by various countries to host the World Cup.

USA won their last Group B game against Iran (1-0) on Nov. 29 to advance to the next stages of the World Cup 2022, held in Qatar, while England saw off Wales (3-0) in the same group, and also advance to the next stage of the tournament. 

Despite a win (2-1) win over Saudi Arabia on Nov. 30, Mexico exit the competition based on goal difference and finished in third place in Group C, behind Argentina (1st place) and Poland (2nd place). 

In Group F, Morocco and Croatia advance to the next stage of the competition, as Belgium and Canada exit. In Group A, the Netherlands and Senegal advance while Ecuador and Qatar exit. In Group D, France and Australia advance while Tunisia and Denmark exit the tournament.

Groups H, G and E each still have to play one more game before it will be known which two teams emerge from their respective groups. 

On Dec. 9, The NY Daily News reported that U.S. sports journalist, Grant Wahl, died at the age of 48 in Qatar during his coverage of the World Cup.