When are sports stars and organisations going to stop plying their trades in countries with appalling human rights issues. It’s not just China. Murray and Radacanu to play in Abu Dahbi. It’s ok as long as it doesn’t hit the players and organisations pockets. Making all this about China only. Stinks in my view.
I thought Ken Bigley's death would serve as a stark reminder what you're up against in these nations. It will happen to a celebrity eventually.
I'm in two minds about this. Whilst I see the arguments in favour of boycotting such places entirely, why should the general public in these places be denied the chance to see top musicians or sports stars in action? It hardly seems fair to punish regular people for the actions of their government.
So, just continue handing their government a free pass to carry on abusing those citizens? Other governments around the world won't hold them to account; but there is a way for us, celebrities and sporting organisations to do some good - don't give them our tourism and don't give them our skills and talents.
I think it's slightly different if a sports star is directly being abused or at risk of harm. Although having watched athlete A the good old US of A doesn't come out too well on the sexual assault from those in authority front either.
It's ironic we are not two minutes at criticising others for acceptance of work in countries with appalling human rights but yet we are happily sat watching our own rights and institutions and services been watered down and in most cases not a whimper of protest....strange isn't it...
Sorry, but comparing the covid response to people being "disappeared", murdered and imprisoned is a garbage comparison.
I see the arguments, but I'm not entirely sure that something like Coldplay refusing to play in Beijing would have much of an effect on the Chinese government's behaviour. Refusing to hand them big sporting events would definitely have an effect I think, especially bearing in mind the international prestige associated with such things. But with the tournaments already taking place there, would it be reasonable to then expect the individual athletes to boycott them?
Its a difficult one, really you need to have the government support for this kind of action, if the government aren't boycotting these places and are happy to take their money and business, why's it on an individual to stand up to them? I think similar with the SAUDI takover of Newcastle, its not the fans fault or the staff at the club, its the fact the owner was allowed to sell the club to them and the premier league said it was ok, and the government didn't object. Why's it now Billy's fault who sits in the Gallowgate for not policing international finance and human rights?
