With Qatar tho’, the Mail/Express are over a barrel. On the one hand, it’s Islamic and denies its people many rights enjoyed by westerners. But on the other, it’s non-woke. So any criticism of the country leaves the paper open to criticising itself and its editorial line. Anti-LBGTQ? Hoorah! Tough and repressive on law n order? Hooorah? Misogynist? Hooorah? Tax-free? Hooorah! Death penalty? Hooorah, Right-wing media praising right-wing leaders and cancelling the left? Hooorah!
How could the Tory press argue with any of that? So a non-story/stunt involving sword-bearering fans being refused entry to the stadium is its limit.
