So, this is Christmas…What have FIFA done?

So, it is World Cup eve. And for football it will be a Christmas like no other. A winter World Cup that has inflicted an insane number of games into an already tight domestic schedule.

Inevitably this has led to injuries to the likes of Paul Pogba and Sadio Mane, who will miss out on the chance to represent their countries on the grandest stage in football.

This is of course minor in the grand scheme of things. Qatar hosting the World Cup has plagued the world of football with issues surrounding bribery, human rights abuses and homophobia.

In 2010, the FIFA executive committee chose Qatar over established sporting nations such as the United States and Australia.

The explanation was that FIFA wanted to take football to new places, new markets and help grow the game.

It’s not a view that I disagree with. The USA, South Africa, South Korea and Japan have all held successful tournaments and created a legacy.

However, since that bidding process, 11 out of 22 that voted to award the world cup to Qatar have since been suspended from football, fined, or sent to prison.

While investigations didn’t find enough evidence to connect the awarding of the 2022 World Cup, the FBI found that bribes, undisclosed and illegal payments were a “common way of doing business at FIFA.”

This is exacerbated by Sepp Blatter’s recent vomit-inducing attempt to redeem his image by claiming that the decision to go to Qatar was wrong.

Again, investigations have found that Blatter wasn’t connected. But let’s not ignore the fact that he ran a multi-billion-pound organisation where corruption was rife.

Then we get to discrimination and human rights abuses. According to the Guardian, 6,500 migrant workers have died building stadiums and other infrastructure projects.

Many have complained of having their passports confiscated, working under unfair conditions and living in appalling accommodation.

A major talking point will be how gay people are treated in Qatar. Homosexuality is punishable by jail time and possibly even death if you are Muslim.

If FIFA truly believe that the “Football is for everyone” and works to “serve our game for the benefit of the entire world,” then why have they chosen to turn a blind eye to a demographic that will be unwelcome at this World Cup?

The Qatar organising committee have insisted that everyone will be welcome. However, this fell apart when one of its ambassadors, Khalid Salman, stated that “homosexuality is damage in mind.”

I’m no travel agent but I’m not sure that’s the reassuring message that gay supporters or journalists were looking for.

Still, if women and homosexuals feel unsafe during their stay, they can always visit one of the designated safe houses. I hear they are lovely in the run up to Christmas.

These questions are incredibly embarrassing for FIFA. An organisation hell bent on avoiding tough questions about culpability. This led to current president Gianni Infantino’s plea for us all to “focus on the football.”

Now, I could sit here and criticise another grey man in a rather expensive suit, but I suspect that is what’s going to happen.

Much like other World Cups and Olympics that have been steeped in controversy in the build-up - once the sport begins it all goes quiet.

I guess if I was less of a hypocrite I would boycott and not watch it at all. The truth is I love football and I love the World Cup.

I will try and watch every game including when Australia play Tunisia. With apologies to my wife, it’s the kind of big game you only get every four years.

I will buy the new England shirt at an exorbitant £75, wrap myself in a St George’s flag and sing ‘god save the king’ for the first time.

We will gather at homes and pubs across the country with friends and family and play ‘it’s coming home’ after every victory.

You see – football at its best brings people together. It doesn’t matter what background you’re from. All you need is a ball.

At its worst, the administrators that run the game have become power hungry and financially driven that they are now willing to discriminate and compromise football’s soul if it earns them enough profit.

We have seen this through the European Super League, increasing ticket prices and now sports washing.

Those whose identities aren’t intertwined with following their local club or national team would simply say to stop giving these people your time and money.

But we can’t. Because we love football.

I hope that come Christmas, I’m proven wrong. That football was the launch pad for change for everyone across the region.

That the families of those that died can be compensated and perhaps have a feeling that their loved ones’ lives were worth it.

Because if not, what have FIFA done?