Nerve agent in Salisbury

There's suggestions that NATO could be called into play to work on a response.
While I'm not suggesting a military response is on the cards we may see a number of extra NATO led sanctions or diplomats being kicked out of NATO countries. We will also see a huge spike in surveillance of anyone suspected of working for the Russian secret service and a stepping up of cyber security across the board with GCHQ being a prime mover on that.

Johnson has suggested we (England) might boycott the World Cup. Yeah.

Headed past the site earlier today, camera crews everywhere, helicopter hovering above, and a few bored policemen standing about not doing much.

It was a little annoying to be honest, as it meant i couldn't get across to Tesco.

Hyperion wrote:Johnson has suggested we (England) might boycott the World Cup. Yeah.

What’s the point of that? They are only going to play 3 games anyway.

Moggy wrote:

Hyperion wrote:Johnson has suggested we (England) might boycott the World Cup. Yeah.

What’s the point of that? They are only going to play 3 games anyway.

More importantly, the england team panini stickers have probably already been printed.

Hyperion wrote:Johnson has suggested we (England) might boycott the World Cup. Yeah.

Classic.

Moggy wrote:

Hyperion wrote:Johnson has suggested we (England) might boycott the World Cup. Yeah.

What’s the point of that? They are only going to play 3 games anyway.

Also wouldn't England get kicked out of UEFA and FIFA for political interference if the government decided to boycott the World Cup?

No more World Cups? No Euros? No Champions League? All those companies that want to sell things on the back of those competitions?

Yeah, good luck with that Boris.

Moggy wrote:

Moggy wrote:

Hyperion wrote:Johnson has suggested we (England) might boycott the World Cup. Yeah.

What’s the point of that? They are only going to play 3 games anyway.

Also wouldn't England get kicked out of UEFA and FIFA for political interference if the government decided to boycott the World Cup?

No more World Cups? No Euros? No Champions League? All those companies that want to sell things on the back of those competitions?

Yeah, good luck with that Boris.

Why would they do that?
Not taking part in a world cup because the government of the host country sent assassins to kill people who live in the UK sounds pretty reasonable and rather limited in response to me. Sure FIFA and UEFA may be upset but the US has boycotted Olympics in Russia before with zero effect in retaliation by the IOC so why should football be so upset about England not playing in a world cup.
They have other teams who can attend just as Denmark did when Yugoslavia was kicked out.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17757335

Peter Crisp wrote:

Moggy wrote:

Moggy wrote:

Hyperion wrote:Johnson has suggested we (England) might boycott the World Cup. Yeah.

What’s the point of that? They are only going to play 3 games anyway.

Also wouldn't England get kicked out of UEFA and FIFA for political interference if the government decided to boycott the World Cup?

No more World Cups? No Euros? No Champions League? All those companies that want to sell things on the back of those competitions?

Yeah, good luck with that Boris.

Why would they do that?
Not taking part in a world cup because the government of the host country sent assassins to kill people who live in the UK sounds pretty reasonable and rather limited in response to me. Sure FIFA and UEFA may be upset but the US has boycotted Olympics in Russia before with zero effect in retaliation by the IOC so why should football be so upset about England not playing in a world cup.
They have other teams who can attend just as Denmark did when Yugoslavia was kicked out.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17757335

Because FIFA and UEFA have rules that don't allow government interference in football.

They might overlook a lot of things, but I would imagine they would be furious if the UK government told England to drop out just a few months before the tournament.

Hasn't he just suggested that the UK government might not send representatives (such as hooligan police specialists etc) to Russia, rather than the football team not being allowed to go? He's an idiot, but I think this one may have been taken out of context.

Once again, I think it's come down to the Foreign Office to confirm just what exactly he means when he says words

Preezy wrote:Hasn't he just suggested that the UK government might not send representatives (such as hooligan police specialists etc) to Russia, rather than the football team not being allowed to go? He's an idiot, but I think this one may have been taken out of context.

It’s rather worrying that the man in charge of U.K. relations with the world can never be understood.

Moggy wrote:

Preezy wrote:Hasn't he just suggested that the UK government might not send representatives (such as hooligan police specialists etc) to Russia, rather than the football team not being allowed to go? He's an idiot, but I think this one may have been taken out of context.

It’s rather worrying that the man in charge of U.K. relations with the world can never be understood.

Its actually ingenious, if someone doesn't like what he says the foreign office simply issue a statement saying "Nah mate, he actually meant..."

Brilliant.

Ironhide wrote:

Moggy wrote:

Preezy wrote:Hasn't he just suggested that the UK government might not send representatives (such as hooligan police specialists etc) to Russia, rather than the football team not being allowed to go? He's an idiot, but I think this one may have been taken out of context.

It’s rather worrying that the man in charge of U.K. relations with the world can never be understood.

Its actually ingenious, if someone doesn't like what he says the foreign office simply issue a statement saying "Nah mate, he actually meant..."

Brilliant.

It’s not so ingenious if you end up with extra years inside an Iranian prison because of the floppy haired strawberry floater.

Moggy wrote:Because FIFA and UEFA have rules that don't allow government interference in football.

They might overlook a lot of things, but I would imagine they would be furious if the UK government told England to drop out just a few months before the tournament.

While they may sanction the England team (I doubt they would) there's zero chance of them doing anything to English club teams in Europe as they make so much money for the global football brand it would be utter insanity. Also I would think the club sides would have a legal case for loss of income as they have zero control of what the England team does so punishing them would be amazingly unfair.

Peter Crisp wrote:

Moggy wrote:Because FIFA and UEFA have rules that don't allow government interference in football.

They might overlook a lot of things, but I would imagine they would be furious if the UK government told England to drop out just a few months before the tournament.

While they may sanction the England team (I doubt they would) there's zero chance of them doing anything to English club teams in Europe as they make so much money for the global football brand it would be utter insanity. Also I would think the club sides would have a legal case for loss of income as they have zero control of what the England team does so punishing them would be amazingly unfair.

I’m not saying it would happen, I am saying it could happen.

English teams have been banned from Europe before.

FIFA suspended Guatemalan teams a couple of years ago: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-37371254

UK politicians stopping England from joining the World Cup at the last minute would have serious consequences.

I don't think we realise the extent of Russian interference in the west, I think they have been quite advanced in their techniques in undermining Western culture to seed instability and divided politics.

The West needs to get very aggressive with sanctions to isolate Russia as best we can. At this point, sadly, they need to be treated as a rogue state.

EDIT: The England team are not going to boycott the world cup, Boris was referring to logistical support.

I think I'm going to that Zizzis on Monday - shall bring along a food-taster.

Mini E wrote:I think I'm going to that Zizzis on Monday - shall bring along a food-taster.

Yes, let me recommend Mr Pladimir Vutin, he will sort you out.

Moggy wrote:

Mini E wrote:I think I'm going to that Zizzis on Monday - shall bring along a food-taster.

Yes, let me recommend Mr Pladimir Vutin, he will sort you out.

You might want to take your own tea set too.