Despite many people calling for a boycott of the event, I went to Doha to watch some of the Football World Cup. I realise this could leave me open to a charge of hypocrisy, because I decided to put my love of sport above the way I like my countries to behave. But as it happens, I had a great time, which begs the question of whether I was brain-washed by the Qataris’ charm offensive or I’ve become more understanding of another nation’s behaviour through temporary immersion in their culture. I’ll let you decide.
Sportswashing is the idea that autocratic states set out to gain international acceptance by hosting large sports events. For example, Hitler’s Germany hosted
