Soccer’s World Cup has winnowed its field to the final four teams, with a display of world class political football along the way.
Argentina and Croatia meet in one semifinal game Tuesday. France and Morocco play their semifinal Wednesday.
You might have read an earlier post here about the histrionics regarding this World Cup, held in Qatar with its policy of not being gay friendly, among other sins.
As suggested then, and reiterated here, if people have a problem with any of this and feel it is an intolerable situation, do the right thing and refuse to play. Don’t show up wearing arm bands or T-shirts and think you are striking a blow for the oppressed while not sacrificing anything yourself.
Meanwhile, the English side took its pregame kneeling ceremony into the World Cup, ostensibly as a protest against racism. How this has any effect on racism, beyond the typical gobbledygook about raising awareness, is not clear.
What is clear is that the celebrated English team blew it against France. With France leading 1-0, a penalty kick was awarded and converted that got the English level.
France took a 2-1 lead and yet another penalty kick was given. Harry Kane, the notable English footballer who had converted the first try, kicked this second try into the low stratosphere instead of on goal.
If only he’d have taken the kick while kneeling, maybe it wouldn’t have gone so high over the net.
Historically – in warfare, not soccer – England tends to get the better of France. From the Plains of Abraham and the Battle of Quebec in 1759, to Waterloo in 1815, France lost the big ones and basically stopped trying against England.
The French also managed to fare badly in a couple of World Wars, and only survived due to the kindness of England and the United States.
It was only by teaming up with the United States in our Revolutionary War that the French were able to best the Brits.
France’s opponent, Morocco, becomes the first African team to advance this far in the World Cup.
In a historical repetition, they did it by besting Spain and then Portugal in knockout play, two countries from the Iberian Peninsula once overrun by Moors in 711 and ruled for about 800 years give or take.
Now, with each Moroccan win, riots ensue in European cities by emboldened Muslims. One social media influencer has proposed a bet with France President Emmanuel Macron to rescind that nation’s law against face coverings in public and “cease all that Islamophobia” should Morocco prevail.
And if Morocco should lose? No mention of that.
That’s the crux of being a social justice warrior, all potential gain and no downside – no personal skin in the game.
This brings us to the death of soccer reporter Grant Wahl. Wahl made news when he tried to cover a game wearing a rainbow T-shirt in support of gay rights and got detained by the Qatar authorities.
Wahl had been all over social media after that noting that he was working too hard, not getting enough sleep, and predictably had come down with bronchitis or something similar.
It turned tragic when Wahl collapsed while covering the Argentina-Netherlands game and, despite treatment, died
His gay brother, proclaiming himself to have been the reason for the rainbow T-shirt, rushed to social media to proclaim Grant Wahl had been murdered. The posting since has been taken private, but it was duly noted and recorded by people.
No word on whether the brother has been banned from social media for spreading unsubstantiated disinformation.
Historians would recall that the Moorish incursion of Europe ended when they tried to enter France and were repulsed by Charles Martel. Dare the French dream of history repeating on the soccer pitch?
I’m not sure what historical/political baggage the Croatians and Argentinians will carry into their game. But I’m sure some social media keyboard warriors will let us know after the fact.
Can’t we all just get along?
Not likely.
Sam Ross Jr's site 