Dr John Mohan Razu
Players and musicians in their own ways and styles communicate what they want to say. The issues they take up could perhaps be socio-political, religio-cultural or economic. The modes they communicate their messages vary from one to another. Some communicate in symbolic ways that enjoin symbolisms and narratives. FIFA-2022 in unique ways that people confront in their respective locales. Right from the start of the global mega foot-ball tournament, there have been a number of controversies surfaced. Prior to the kick-off, FIFA Chief Gianni Infantino had more than what he had to say offering scathing critique of Western ‘hypocrisy’.
In spite of military junta-ruled Argentina which it hoisted World Cup in 1978, or even Russia 2018 hosts, or China hosted 2008 Olympics sporting events keep going. For instance, allegations were ripe of dirty political deals and backroom transactions of Qatar’s winning bid for this world cup. When Qatar changed and thus banned in-stadia alcohol in the last minute huge furor by the Western media raising their ‘moral high standard. While on the other, Western countries such as France, Spain and Scotland have banned consumption of liquor in the stadium and there is no critical comment – two different yardsticks to measure.
One of the astounding gestures that we witnessed on the opening day wherein Iran’s World Cup team declined to sing their national anthem before their Group match against England on the opening day in support for anti-hijab protests back home. Their heads held high in pride, eyes steely and lips unmoving, the 11-Iranian footballers showed extraordinary courage on the biggest stage, braving the wrath of the authorities that could follow once they are back home. Prior to travelling to Doha, the team met hardline Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi and one of the players bowing him went viral.
Notably, in their first encounter at Qatar’s Khalifa International Stadium, thousands of Iranian fans had jeered them and made thumbs-down gestures as the music accompanying the anthem rang out, the entire crowd in thousands and lakhs the entire scenario had changed – shut their mouths by not singing. On the contrary, before the World Cup, in Europe, soccer federations who had planned to wear the ‘One Love’ armbands to make a statement against discrimination during the World Cup in Qatar were faced with “extreme blackmail” that led to dropping the planning action, the German Football Association said. However, the German football team before their match against Japan as a team posed their mouths closed with their hands symbolizing their protests in favour of LGBT.
The federations of England, Wales, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany and Denmark had said that they had been put under pressure by FIFA, who had threatened to issue yellow cards to any player wearing the multi-coloured armband. Homosexuality is illegal in the Gulf state. The DFB’s media director Steffen Simon said in German Deutschland funk radio that England was the first team to be expected to wear it, it had been threatened with multiple sporting sanctions. We do witness two gestures and narratives – one from the West had to fizzle out when there was clear directive from FIFA invoking multiple sanctions if the European football federations went ahead.
Symbolisms are important as they convey messages and solidarity. What is important is that the manner and timings in which protests they are communicated and thus executed. Even after having met the top powerful theocratic leader and also knowing the consequences the Iranian national football team showed its defiance to the ruling junta clearly conveying to them ‘all is not going well in Iran’. In recent times in sports such as lawn tennis and athletics showing their defiance on issues such as ‘women and black lives matter’.
Taking a position is one side of the coin, but acting on it at the right time is another. Though these two are enjoined – decision and action. For example, with regard to the European football federation, they did decide to show their protest in support of LGBTQ by wearing black hand bands in FIFA-22 in Qatar, but due to pressure from FIFA they had to withdraw. While on the other, the Iranian football team went ahead showing their solidarity with the anti-hijab protesters by not singing when their national anthem was played before lakhs of spectators.
Despite knowing the consequences would be dire, many stood by decision, except the German football team symbolically closed their mouths with their hands taking a clear position that human rights abuses were non-negotiable, others have fallen in-line with the dictates. Dissents and protests in sports be it in Olympics or in World Cups or whichever sport it may be are common as they convey and communicate clear messages. They have wider audience and so whatever they want to communicate reaches the global community. Their messages have serious ramifications. Symbolic gestures have meanings and essence.
We should observe the changing pattern and equations of the food-ball playing nations. FIFA-2022 has unfolded better chances for the African, Arabian and Asian nations. On the opening day, Saudis win over one of the top-notch teams and highly-favoured Argentina to win FIFA-22. A day later Japan’s win over Germany, another top team sent shock waves around the world. The pattern was similar as both Argentina and Germany scored their first goals via penalty kicks, followed by field goals by Saudis and Japanese displaying maturity in the game.
We have been witnessing the underdogs winning over the top overrated teams sending clear signals that World Cup is no more the sole prerogative of the countries of Europe and South America. Professionalism in football is gradually shifting to countries in Africa, Arabia, Middle-east and Asia. Equations are changing to blackish, brownish and yellowish landscapes and more surprises are bound to happen as FIFA-2022 unfolds in the coming days and weeks. The message is loud and clear. Running world football is no longer the sole preserve of Europe, as these victories must have rankled Europeans. FIFA-2022 has pushed many to think and forced others to come to realization that without the two-third world there’s no football.
