posted Mar 4, 2008

One i s forced to ask themselves who really runs these african countries the people of kenya voted out a president britain said no he does'nt have to go they can be power sharing, and now they think they can help zimbabweans by inflicting more pain on them all to the amusement of mugabe, lets have a rethink on our former conial state(s), other former colonial powers do not treat their former colonies like that

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Mar 4, 2008

these guys were not sacked but resigned in protest

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Mar 4, 2008

Whilst banning Zimbabwean sportsmen and women is not an ideal solution, the like of Australia have been allowed to cancel tours to Zimbabwe in the past, yet when the English team wished to do so previously, they were threatened with fines etc.
If one country is allowed to act in such a manner, then others should be as well. However it should be each sports ruling body in each country that makes the decision, not the government.


As for Israel, whilst it's completely off-topic, I can't stand by and read someone defending their actions as being merely protecting their own citizens and not speak out - they invaded Palestine and have attempted to annex parts of it, that's why they keep getting attacked by the Palestinian people.
Israel itself is not an illegal state but their actions certainly contravene all kinds of international laws.
Israel has a significant number of UN sanctions against it and yet is allowed to carry on as it pleases. They commit acts state sponsored terrorism as well, it's just that the perpetrators are wearing army uniforms is all.

And, no, Palestine are not the barrier to progress, it's Israel - if they were to leave the areas they have settled, then it would all be over much quicker.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Mar 4, 2008

Brtain and the USA also gave power to Hamas, Bin Laden and Saddam.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Mar 4, 2008

Like I said, Isreal isnt perfect. There is much it could to improve relations. Like moving out of settlements, and sticking to a road map to peace. All USA has to do is say "Isreal, stick to this peace plan and all is ok. Deviate WITHOUT provocation, and we will withhold spare parts for your F16s, Apaches, Bradleys etc" Things would rapidly improve. But, trouble is, Hamas and Hezbollah are continuously provoking a response. They dont recognise Israel. And seek to destroy it. Much like Iran seeks to achieve.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Mar 4, 2008

I think the government needs to come up with something better to deal with Mugabe than banning the cricket team from playing in England. They must be COMPLETELY out of ideas.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Mar 4, 2008

A ridiculous idea. It's just a cop out, to be seen to be doing "something". Punishing people who have no control over the Zimbabwe government isn't going to change anything...

Gordon Brown is a mug.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Mar 4, 2008

The ban on Zimbabwe can't be justified given our past and current record on sports and cultural exchanges with other countries, which incidentally went on throughout the Cold War, never mind contacts with other undemocratic and despotic states.
The exception was South Africa where the policy of apartheid was directly imposed on sport itself. To save the sport from political interference, which denied the sport to so many, a world-wide ban was instituted.
Zimbabwe skirted near to this situation when whites appeared to be out of favour for selection. A huge row developed and white players resigned. But this led to talks with ICC etc and pressure was applied. The situation has improved.
Gordon Brown seems to want to undo all that good work by bringing politics back into the sport.
If there was a return to racial deselection he might have a point but the sport should be encouraged to be fair and above board by competing at the level it deserves.
As far as I am aware Test status was withdrawn from Zimbabwe, so we are only talking about the one-day games.
Zimbabwe with all its abuses isn't the worst country in Africa. What about Kenya? What is going to happen to its cricket team? Where do we start or stop?
A number of the cricket playing countries could be in line for a ban. Pakistan has had a dictator for many years and might again in the future.
Unless the sport itself is defiled by being divided on religious or racial grounds, it shouldn't be banned.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Mar 4, 2008

It's harsh to pick on the cricketers, i'd fully back if the players themsleves decided not to play but not the ECB, which is a sporting organisation, not a politcal one and it should remember that.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Mar 5, 2008

very true mate

add comment | complain about this comment