Football in Syria

Day -396 WorldCup2018

This month, leading up to June 3rd, is my self-declared 'football is happier than politics' time. However, I have to take a detour into reality today. I came across a fantastic report into football in Syria and how politics is, sadly, definitely a big part of it. Give yourself 10-15 minutes and read the link below.

I have been saying this for a long time, that how, despite the miracle of Syria making it so far in World Cup qualifying, it is all just another part of the regime's propaganda machine. And i'd be happy to not see the completion of the Syrian 'miracle'.

This very extensive report goes into how not only has the Syrian government killed and tortured footballers and their families, and how they have used football as part of the reign of terror. It also details how Fifa have been complicit and have done nothing to not encourage what President Assad is doing.

Fifa has many times in the past suspended member federations because of political interference in the country. Despite there being proof that stadiums and football clubs were being used as military bases to launch attacks against civilians, Fifa said it was am issue outside of their remit. When a former Syrian player living in Sweden took a report to Fifa detailing the atrocities committed by the government and the complicity of the Syrian FA, Fifa told him to lodge a complaint with the Syrian FA.

And then there's the coach of the national team using a press conference to sing the praises of Assad, and the players wearing t-shirts with pictures of Assad on them, and the players who play for Syria because they are frightened of the consequences if they don't, and the players forced to join government rallies. And a lot more. Read it.

http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/19343630/how-syrian-government-brought-soccer-campaign-oppression