Eric Cantona has blasted David Beckham and those promoting this winter’s Qatar World Cup, judging their support as a “big, big mistake”.
The Frenchman has long been outspoken against Qatar 2022, labelling it “horrible” and “not a real World Cup”, as he believes this year’s tournament is only about money.
Now, as well as stating that he will not be watching it out of principle, the 56-year-old has given his thoughts on former teammate Beckham and co.
Speaking in an interview with The Athletic’s Adam Crafton, Cantona was asked if this is something he would ever do, to which he had a fairly simply answer: “I would not do it at all. I [would] do completely the opposite.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Harking back to his previous condemnation earlier this year, the Manchester United legend said that although he and any ex-players are obviously met with the opportunity for paid partnerships like this on a regular basis, he believes the backdrop to this tournament is simply unjustifiable.
Eric Cantona is boycotting the World Cup in Qatar and says he thinks David Beckham and others who promote it have made a big mistake.
Addressing the ambassadors themselves, he said that “it could be they don’t know what has happened there. Or, if they know it, I think they did wrong”.
ADVERTISEMENT
Either way, he believes their decision to sign on the campaign is “a big mistake. A big, big mistake.” Becks has undoubtedly been the biggest face promoting Qatar 2022.
Like many, Cantona made his feelings on the Qatar World Cup crystal clear back in January when he reflected on what went into putting this particular tournament on.
ADVERTISEMENT
“It’s only about money and the way they treated the people who built the stadiums, it’s horrible. And thousands of people died”, he told the Mail; “I understand football is a business. But I thought it was the only place where everybody could have a chance.”
The Gulf nation has been flagged by the likes of Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch for numerous abuses, including exploiting migrant workers to build the stadiums needed for Qatar 2022.
In addition to numerous low-paid workers dying on the job, women’s rights and freedom of expression are all infringed upon. Moreover, members of the LGBTQ+ community are also persecuted, with same-sex sexual conduct still illegal as it is across much of the Middle East.
While several countries like Norway and numerous members of the Welsh national team attempted to boycott the Qatar World Cup, it seems opposition wasn’t unified enough and we’re now just 55 days from the first game.
Nevertheless, all eyes will be on this year’s tournament regardless of the football.
Exciting new CGIs released of £500m Therme Manchester wellness resort as construction continues
Emily Sergeant
As construction continues on Manchester’s massive wellness resort, some new CGIs have now been released.
In case you need bringing up to speed, construction of the £500 million Therme Manchester wellness resort officially began last September after several years of planning, and now developers have released some exciting new CGIs – with an update on how construction is going, as a new milestone has been reached this week.
Set to open to the public in 2029, Therme Manchester will become one of the largest urban wellbeing resorts in the world.
Visitors can expect to make the most of a 10 pools – both lagoon and wave pools included – thermal bathing, multi-sensory sauna rituals, steam rooms, 18 water slides, affordably-priced luxury spa therapies, and health and fitness experiences.
Exciting new CGIs released of Therme Manchester have been released / Credit: Supplied
At the heart of Therme Manchester will be three distinct zones, each offering a different way to spend time at the resort.
Play will bring together water-based fun and attractions for families and visitors of all ages, and Restore will focus on thermal bathing and restorative experiences designed to help visitors unwind, while Relax will offer spaces for relaxation and wellbeing.
The latest CGIs showcase the design as it develops – including the resort’s extensive indoor and outdoor spaces, and its 53,000sq ft wellbeing garden.
Construction is still underway on the £500m wellness resort / Credit: Supplied
The plans also feature a new public plaza designed to strengthen connections between the resort and the Bridgewater Canal.
Professor David Russell, CEO of Therme UK, said: “We have taken the opportunity to refine the design, improve how traffic and parking are managed and create a more welcoming environment for everyone arriving at the resort.
“We are creating an even better experience for visitors while supporting more efficient and sustainable operations.”
Therme Manchester was initially touted as a £250m project that would complete in 2025, but it’s now up to £500m and is scheduled to complete it 2029.
It marks one of the most significant building developments to ever take place in the North.
Featured Image – Supplied
Sport
Manchester City release limited-edition Blossoms shirts exclusively in new flagship store
Daisy Jackson
Manchester City have released a limited run of special Blossoms shirts, which will be available exclusively at the new flagship City Store.
Etihad Airways has donated the front-of-shirt space for the special drop, which celebrates the Stockport band’s lifelong support of Man City and will fundraise forCity in the Community’s 40th anniversary.
The Manchester City x Blossoms collab features the band’s logo across the chest of the 2024/25 season’s away shirt – one of the Club’s most popular designs in recent years.
Profits from sales of the shirts will be donated to CITC to support its 40th anniversary fundraising, which empower healthier lives with city youth through football.
Blossoms have just secured their fifth UK number one album with their latest release, ‘Songs From The Wedding Cake’, and will soon be heading on an arena tour that includes two massive shows at the Co-op Live.
There’s a very limited run of the Man City Blossoms shirts, available in sizes small to large, which will exclusively be sold at the new flagship CityStore.
The shirts have dropped in-store this morning, with further drops to be released around the band’s tour dates this November and December.
As for that new City store – it’s a whopping 21,000 sq ft, three-floor space at Medlock Square, right beside the Etihad Stadium, and is the biggest shop in the club’s history.
The new flagship has opened today in collaboration with PUMA and Stichd, and features a new, interactive ‘Make It Yours’ customisation station as well as an expanded range of Manchester City products.
Danny Jones -
26th September 2022 
