Asharq Al-Awsat (English)
·Jul 2026
Between the Seriousness of Sport and the Absurdity of Politics
Examines how political tensions increasingly shape international sports, highlighting historical and contemporary examples of boycotts, bias, and political interference in events such as the Olympics and the FIFA Club World Cup. Notes growing polarization linked to U.S. immigration policies, alleged favoritism toward certain teams, and decisions influenced by political leaders. Connects these developments to a broader decline in global political seriousness, citing instability in Western democracies, strained alliances, and rising geopolitical tensions that blur the line between genuine governance and spectacle.