FIFA has been monstrously corrupt since at least as far back as the 1970s (Havelange).
I backslid this year, but did completely boycott watching in 2018 and 2022. Russia is a pariah state and should never have been allowed to host, and Qatar was manifestly unsuitable.
The only difference this year is that the bribery and political favors were out in the open.
There are levels to it. Sepp Blatter was notoriously corrupt, but Infantino makes his "envelope full of cash under the table" style of corruption look amateurish.
> Whataboutism is a word invented to deflect any criticism of western hypocrisy.
Factually false. It's a logical fallacy, because you're attempting to manipulate the audience without actually responding to the claim.
> Like antisemitism, its overuse has rendered it toothless.
Also factually false. "Antisemitism" has no agreed-upon definition. "Whataboutism" has a very concrete and well agreed-upon definition: deflecting a an argument by responding with a counter-accusation that is intended to mirror the perceived accusation.
Your whole comment as manipulative, though, so it's not surprising that you would get the definition wrong.
Eh, Russophobia is also funny, as it is typically applied to those that hate Russia, as opposed to those that fear Russia.
"Putin's apologist" as a smear on those who reject the mainstream narrative about Ukraine war (even if highly critical of Russia/Putin) is a better match.
The US has used force to unilaterally remove two heads of state this year, and is enforcing a blockade on Cuba that is wreaking havoc in an attempt to remove a third head of state.
That Russia is worse should not shield the US from criticism.
I backslid this year, but did completely boycott watching in 2018 and 2022. Russia is a pariah state and should never have been allowed to host, and Qatar was manifestly unsuitable.
The only difference this year is that the bribery and political favors were out in the open.