In some ways the damage has already been done. The dead workers, the repressive nature of the state, these things were all known about 12 years ago. There could have been action to refuse to play, but money speaks.
I personally support actions for civil rights, within proportion, and think sport is a great opportunity to highlight this, but many want to play it on easy mode. I am happy for them to take the knee, but it’s no more than a gesture. There is not much societal cost. It doesn’t make them civil rights activists in the manner of Rosa Parks, who faced real consequences for her activism. As soon as any consequence makes their gestures harder, they shrink. They couldn’t do the bare minimum because they feared a yellow card.
Those Iranian players showed greater bravery. They would know there is a real risk to their family back home for their action, and the consequences are far more severe than a yellow card. The England squad have set themselves up as supporting such causes, but when causes get even moderately tough they run away.
