Cyprus-Forum.com

[Paphitis]

There's no doubt in my mind that they wanted to warn or punish Skripal about something and at the same time throw the blame on Russians.
The question is what's next??
I fear this year's FIFA world cup scheduled for mid June might turn out to be a very dangerous event.

Reh Paphiti please don't go. Cancel the damn tickets.

I might not be able to regardless.

My entire family might be migrants once again to an entirely different continent. And start from zero. Mixed feelings about it all too.

I'm pretty friggin stressed about that. World Cup is the last thing on my mind right now. Plus I think Australia is on the verge of announcing a boycott. I think a few countries are going to do the same but they are waiting to announce it only a couple of days before the tournament starts. That is going to be one heck of a chaotic World Cup if that happens.

Or they might not announce anything and do a no show. Which could result in FIFA suspensions too. They are comparing this World Cup to the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

I think there are legitimate security concerns as well due to the Russian Nerve Agent poisonings in Salisbury. I just can't see how the West is able to send Football teams to Russia that are worth 300 + million

Several countries have already stated that their Governments will boycott and no diplomats or dignitaries will attend. That is basically telling the Federations to not send their Football Teams so I think the boycott is inevitable.

And they are citing security concerns for the players, fans, and staff. No diplomatic or embassy assistance will be given to the teams either, as Government Officials are banned from attending the event. When you try and book tickets, they are giving the latest travel warning advice before anyone proceeds.

Insurance companies are also now canceling our insurance policies. I got a letter last week with a refund on my policy, which means no insurance for me now.

[Pyrpolizer]

The Russians should have cancelled it on the first place.
Let some other idiot undertake such responsibility in organizing it.
It's not only the threat from terrorist groups it's also the threat from from hostile state agents of other Countries.

[Paphitis]

8 countries have already announced Government boycotts.

And the USA isn't one of the 8 countries.

So far, the countries are UK, Sweden, Germany, Iceland, Poland, Australia, Japan, and Denmark.

If the above go through with it, surely Holland, France and USA will also follow.

Potentially this World Cup could be the biggest flop in history and the above countries could also face sanctions from FIFA too because they will lose millions.

You never know, Cyprus might get a World Cup qualification after all because no one else will go.

I bet these countries never thought this was going to happen during the qualifiers.

[Robin Hood]

8 countries have already announced Government boycotts.

And the USA isn't one of the 8 countries.

So far, the countries are UK, Sweden, Germany, Iceland, Poland, Australia, Japan, and Denmark.

If the above go through with it, surely Holland, France and USA will also follow.

Potentially this World Cup could be the biggest flop in history and the above countries could also face sanctions from FIFA too because they will lose millions.

You never know, Cyprus might get a World Cup qualification after all because no one else will go.

I bet these countries never thought this was going to happen during the qualifiers.

Personally, as football holds no interest for me I couldn't give a hoot if it went ahead or is cancelled. But it does show how completely the ant-Russian propaganda is soaked up by the uninformed or those incapable of seeing the wood for the trees.

I noticed today that the Russian whistle blower that created all the problems before the Olypic's for Russia ..... has been unable to prove ANY of the accusations he made before some sort of official hearing and is now back tracking! I don't think Putin will need Novichoc for this guy ...... the athletes he wronged will tear him limb from limb when they get their hands on him. Maybe Putin should arrest him and hide him away in Russia's witness protection program to protect his safety.

I feel far more anxious about what is happening in the West to try and discredit Russia at every opportunity. It could badly misfire, although I think we are safer here than in the UK or Europe in general.

[Paphitis]

No one boycotts a World Cup for the hell of it. Even Iceland is boycotting and they qualified for the first time. Denmark too as well as Poland and Sweden. Just goes to explain quite a lot.

The USA has announced nothing so far.

It means they are worried to take such drastic actions.

As for the Olympics, so many Russian Athletes got caught with performance enhancing drugs. Nothing was made up.

[Londonrake]

St Petersburgh isn’t pushing this stuff anymore nowadays. Which I suspect is why RH is floundering a bit. No guidance. Time to move on?

[Pyrpolizer]

No one boycotts a World Cup for the hell of it. Even Iceland is boycotting and they qualified for the first time. Denmark too as well as Poland and Sweden. Just goes to explain quite a lot.

The USA has announced nothing so far.

It means they are worried to take such drastic actions.

As for the Olympics, so many Russian Athletes got caught with performance enhancing drugs. Nothing was made up.

Boycotting and not letting the teams participate are two totally different things.
Nobody cares if the President of the English FA Prince William will boycott the event by not been present.
Btw notice that most of those who decided to boycott the event are the exact same who got furious against the UK accusing her that she mislead them regarding the Skripal fiasco to withdraw their ambassadors from Russia.

I am not holding Russia responsible for this boycott. Russia is not responsible for been the victim.

However with so many machinations having already taken place against it, I feel one more such fiasco is very likely to happen, and in that case there will be innocent football fans paying the price.

I imply to you that so far there is not even one National team who said they won't participate

[Paphitis]

No one boycotts a World Cup for the hell of it. Even Iceland is boycotting and they qualified for the first time. Denmark too as well as Poland and Sweden. Just goes to explain quite a lot.

The USA has announced nothing so far.

It means they are worried to take such drastic actions.

As for the Olympics, so many Russian Athletes got caught with performance enhancing drugs. Nothing was made up.

Boycotting and not letting the teams participate are two totally different things.
Nobody cares if the President of the English FA Prince William will boycott the event by not been present.
Btw notice that most of those who decided to boycott the event are the exact same who got furious against the UK accusing her that she mislead them regarding the Skripal fiasco to withdraw their ambassadors from Russia.

I am not holding Russia responsible for this boycott. Russia is not responsible for been the victim.

However with so many machinations having already taken place against it, I feel one more such fiasco is very likely to happen, and in that case there will be innocent football fans paying the price.

I imply to you that so far there is not even one National team who said they won't participate

Not one FA has said yet that they are going to boycott, but when the Government announces a "government boycott, then the FA is placed under considerable pressure. If they go, and something happens, the FA is on its own and will be criticized.

All these FA's are considering boycotts and they have stated this. They are discussing this with their respective Governments.

In addition, it is the FAs of each of these countries that is important. If they boycott, thrn the World Cup is going to be a complete disaster for Russia. It will also be a financial disaster for the FAs that are boycotting and a financial disaster for FIFA. Potentially, these countries could also be banned by FIFA but I don't think they are worried about that either.

Bottom line is, FIFA will be in complete turmoil too.

[Pyrpolizer]

No one boycotts a World Cup for the hell of it. Even Iceland is boycotting and they qualified for the first time. Denmark too as well as Poland and Sweden. Just goes to explain quite a lot.

The USA has announced nothing so far.

It means they are worried to take such drastic actions.

As for the Olympics, so many Russian Athletes got caught with performance enhancing drugs. Nothing was made up.

Boycotting and not letting the teams participate are two totally different things.
Nobody cares if the President of the English FA Prince William will boycott the event by not been present.
Btw notice that most of those who decided to boycott the event are the exact same who got furious against the UK accusing her that she mislead them regarding the Skripal fiasco to withdraw their ambassadors from Russia.

I am not holding Russia responsible for this boycott. Russia is not responsible for been the victim.

However with so many machinations having already taken place against it, I feel one more such fiasco is very likely to happen, and in that case there will be innocent football fans paying the price.

I imply to you that so far there is not even one National team who said they won't participate

Not one FA has said yet that they are going to boycott, but when the Government announces a "government boycott, then the FA is placed under considerable pressure. If they go, and something happens, the FA is on its own and will be criticized.

All these FA's are considering boycotts and they have stated this. They are discussing this with their respective Governments.

In addition, it is the FAs of each of these countries that is important. If they boycott, thrn the World Cup is going to be a complete disaster for Russia. It will also be a financial disaster for the FAs that are boycotting and a financial disaster for FIFA. Potentially, these countries could also be banned by FIFA but I don't think they are worried about that either.

Bottom line is, FIFA will be in complete turmoil too.

The UK Govnt already said what it's boycotts will be. The prince Oh.oh, oh, of Alice in Wonderland oh,oh will not attend. Who cares?
Members of the parliament won't attend... Who cares?

Don't fantasize please. No FA is discussing anything with their governments...

My concern is whether the UK or some other proxy of the US stages something in Moscow once again...
Russia proved very passive and unable to figure out how the west thinks/acts/promotes it's interests.
I am also concerned about a real terrorist attack.

[Paphitis]

No one boycotts a World Cup for the hell of it. Even Iceland is boycotting and they qualified for the first time. Denmark too as well as Poland and Sweden. Just goes to explain quite a lot.

The USA has announced nothing so far.

It means they are worried to take such drastic actions.

As for the Olympics, so many Russian Athletes got caught with performance enhancing drugs. Nothing was made up.

Boycotting and not letting the teams participate are two totally different things.
Nobody cares if the President of the English FA Prince William will boycott the event by not been present.
Btw notice that most of those who decided to boycott the event are the exact same who got furious against the UK accusing her that she mislead them regarding the Skripal fiasco to withdraw their ambassadors from Russia.

I am not holding Russia responsible for this boycott. Russia is not responsible for been the victim.

However with so many machinations having already taken place against it, I feel one more such fiasco is very likely to happen, and in that case there will be innocent football fans paying the price.

I imply to you that so far there is not even one National team who said they won't participate

Not one FA has said yet that they are going to boycott, but when the Government announces a "government boycott, then the FA is placed under considerable pressure. If they go, and something happens, the FA is on its own and will be criticized.

All these FA's are considering boycotts and they have stated this. They are discussing this with their respective Governments.

In addition, it is the FAs of each of these countries that is important. If they boycott, thrn the World Cup is going to be a complete disaster for Russia. It will also be a financial disaster for the FAs that are boycotting and a financial disaster for FIFA. Potentially, these countries could also be banned by FIFA but I don't think they are worried about that either.

Bottom line is, FIFA will be in complete turmoil too.

The UK Govnt already said what it's boycotts will be. The prince Oh.oh, oh, of Alice in Wonderland oh,oh will not attend. Who cares?
Members of the parliament won't attend... Who cares?

Don't fantasize please. No FA is discussing anything with their governments...

My concern is whether the UK or some other proxy of the US stages something in Moscow once again...
Russia proved very passive and unable to figure out how the west thinks/acts/promotes it's interests.
I am also concerned about a real terrorist attack.

Yes the Royal Family. But what the UK Government has announced is what they are calling 'Government" boycotts. Therefore, no politician, dignitary, consular staff, ambassador or other Government Official will attend. by default that will include the Royal Family. They are part of the UK Government or System. Not just that, but they are part of the Australian Government as well as Australia's Head of State.

Practically, what this means is that the FA's are on notice. They are separate from Government as they are private enterprise and they will want to go. Just like many citizens from boycotting countries may travel to Russia. The difficulty and risk for them is that if something happens to them, they might find themselves in a lot of bother and probably will not get much help from the Government either. These are the things the FA will need to weigh up and they are considering their options. the other thing they will need to weigh up is insurance. If insurance companies are now refusing to ensure travelers, then they will not insure the Football Teams. Some of the players are worth $30 million to their teams. Now imagine if there was a terrorist attack and some of them get killed. Their clubs in Europe will have something to say about that.

Once a country like Australia issues a travel warning, insurance companies are reluctant to insure Australian travelers. The Australian Government has issued travel warnings urging its citizens to not travel to Russia on account of anti Western sentiment and security concerns.

They have to ask themselves whether they should go when their Government is boycotting.