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World Cup 2018: MP dismisses Fifa President's claim Russia boycott would achieve nothing | World Cup 2018: MP dismisses Fifa President's claim Russia boycott would achieve nothing |
(35 minutes later) | |
The Labour MP Peter Hain has dismissed as “plain nonsense” the extraordinary claim made by Fifa President Sepp Blatter that “no boycott of a sporting event has ever achieved anything.” | The Labour MP Peter Hain has dismissed as “plain nonsense” the extraordinary claim made by Fifa President Sepp Blatter that “no boycott of a sporting event has ever achieved anything.” |
President Blatter was rejecting calls for a boycott of the forthcoming World Cup in Russia, made most recently by the Ukrainian President Petro Poroschenko. | President Blatter was rejecting calls for a boycott of the forthcoming World Cup in Russia, made most recently by the Ukrainian President Petro Poroschenko. |
“The World Cup will take place in Russia in 2018 for sure,” President Blatter said. “A boycott of a World Cup, or of any sporting event has never brought any solution to anybody.” | “The World Cup will take place in Russia in 2018 for sure,” President Blatter said. “A boycott of a World Cup, or of any sporting event has never brought any solution to anybody.” |
Earlier this week, Uefa President Michel Platini also claimed that “Boycotting never resolves the problem – never.” | Earlier this week, Uefa President Michel Platini also claimed that “Boycotting never resolves the problem – never.” |
Mr Hain, a South African by birth, was heavily involved in organising ongoing sporting boycott of South Africa under apartheid. | Mr Hain, a South African by birth, was heavily involved in organising ongoing sporting boycott of South Africa under apartheid. |
“That is simply plain nonsense,” Mr Hain told The Independent. “The boycotts of all white national South African teams - football, rugby cricket, the Olympics, athletics - achieved a great deal, as Nelson Mandela said as he was released from prison. | “That is simply plain nonsense,” Mr Hain told The Independent. “The boycotts of all white national South African teams - football, rugby cricket, the Olympics, athletics - achieved a great deal, as Nelson Mandela said as he was released from prison. |
“They were critical in the overthrow of apartheid. They actually helped propel south africa into isolation.” | “They were critical in the overthrow of apartheid. They actually helped propel south africa into isolation.” |
Fifa president Sepp Blatter | |
Several white South African sports stars of the time have spoken of their desperation to play competitive sport again during those long years. | Several white South African sports stars of the time have spoken of their desperation to play competitive sport again during those long years. |
During the years of the boycott, Nelson Mandela and other ANC leaders were in prison and the struggle against the apartheid were significantly weakened. | During the years of the boycott, Nelson Mandela and other ANC leaders were in prison and the struggle against the apartheid were significantly weakened. |
“The boycotts played an absolutely indispensable role, “ Mr Hain added. “When the boycotts were opposed in the early 1970s, his entire colleagues were locked up and the apartheid effort was quite weak. It carried on the struggle.” | “The boycotts played an absolutely indispensable role, “ Mr Hain added. “When the boycotts were opposed in the early 1970s, his entire colleagues were locked up and the apartheid effort was quite weak. It carried on the struggle.” |
To the contrary, President Blatter claimed that the World Cup would be a stabilising force.” | To the contrary, President Blatter claimed that the World Cup would be a stabilising force.” |
“In my opinion, the World Cup in Russia will be able to stabilise the region. I am sure that football is stronger than any other movement. When I am looking at the geo-political map today. Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, in all these countries where there are beligerent activities, football is being played.” | “In my opinion, the World Cup in Russia will be able to stabilise the region. I am sure that football is stronger than any other movement. When I am looking at the geo-political map today. Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, in all these countries where there are beligerent activities, football is being played.” |
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