I don’t particularly enjoy watching sports - except for tuning in with friends. This time around, even that little affirmation of solidarity has had the joy stripped out of it - mostly because the USA is making the sport a uniquely horrid “spectacle”. Capitalism is taking the opportunity to normalise all the oversized tickets, environmental damage, racist policing, and God knows what else. So, what is our community’s view on watching this horrorshow play out? Is it something we should be boycotting this time? I can only see this tournament being a way for the US elite to yet again brag about their privilege, to put it mildly. And I can’t imagine that would be good for football as a sport.

Quick edit: I think the question now is not whether we are boycotting it but how we will resist this sportswashing as spectators

Edit: I changed the post title due to the need to convey the message.

  • micnd90 [he/him,any]@hexbear.netEnglish
    4·
    5 days ago

    I’d consider watching a game or two (pirated of course) if Luka Modric is in the semifinal/final. International football tend to be different than club football, they have less time to train on just doing pressing drills. In the last couple of international tournaments, individuals shone through (Messi in Qatar, Yamal in the last Euro). But I agree with your general sentiment, club football last year was absolute dross.

    • Lussy [he/him, des/pair]@hexbear.netEnglish
      4·
      4 days ago

      I still follow club football (I unfortunately love watching the sport), but yeah there’s something rotten at the core of the game. To be honest, team play is probably the finest it’s ever been and do quite enjoy but the technical flair is really missing. The Brazilians have abandoned us and been absorbed by the lifeless borglike bullshit of the Europeans. Guardiola-thought has taken the color out of the game.