Denmark landed its easiest World Cup qualifying group in December, when it drew Austria, Scotland, Israel, the Faroe Islands and Moldova, but now a new opponent has raised its head – from within.
Over 5,300 Danes have already signed a citizens’ proposal to boycott the tournament in late autumn next year based on host Qatar’s human rights record.
But while the petition need 50,000 signatures to be sent to a vote in parliament, some football fans are already moaning in their claps – albeit a little too soon considering that a ball has not even been kicked yet!
MPs will discuss the matter next week
On 12 January, it was confirmed that Parliament would discuss the matter.
The Left Party SF is expected to lead the accusation during a consultation with the Minister of Culture Joy Mogensen,
It is expected that some MPs will argue that the DBU Football Federation and government are trying to find allies abroad in their attempts to put pressure on Qatar and FIFA.
No Ballon d’Or from French football
The world media notes with outlets in Scandinavia, the UK and other parts of Europe reporting the news.
“At a price: Denmark, a boycott of the 2022 World Cup?” asked France Football, the esteemed magazine that awards the Ballon d’Or, just last week.
Meanwhile, Casper Fischer Raavig, one of the organizers of the petition, has told tipsbladet.dk that interest from abroad has exceeded expectations.
If Coronavirus allows it, the 2022 World Cup is scheduled to start next year on November 21 – provided, of course, that the Danes do not persuade the rest of the world to boycott it.
Denmark is also opposed to Belarus hosting ice hockey worlds
The Danish ice hockey union opposes plans for Belarus to host the sport’s world championship with Latvia in May. The World Health Organization has not yet made a decision on whether Belarus can move forward in light of the controversial nature of the victory of President Alexander Lukashenko, a giant ice hockey fan, in the country’s parliamentary elections last year. Nordic colleagues Sweden, Finland and Norway reportedly support Denmark’s position, while the Danish union fears that most of its NFL stars will simply opt out. The championship is set to start on May 21st.
Cykelkvartet wins Denmark’s answer to the Sports Personality of the Year
The 4000 meter long pursuit cycling team, which broke the world record three times on its way to winning the world championship in February last year, has been named the Danish sportsperson of the year – an award given annually by DIF and Team Denmark. The team consisted of Rasmus Lund, Julius Johansen, Frederik Rodenberg and Lasse Norman Hansen, who won Olympic gold in the omniet in 2012. Badminton player Viktor Axelsen, who won the prize for the biggest sporting achievement of the year to win the All England Open championship, was shortlisted for the top prize. along with football player Pernille Harder.
Rodduo inducted into prestigious hall of fame
Denmark’s 2012 Olympic gold medal-winning rouduo Mads Rasmussen and Rasmus Quist have been inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame by DIF and Team Denmark. They join Eskild Ebbesen, the key member of the legendary Gold Four (golden four), as the only rowers in the esteemed company. Rasmussen and Quist, who also won the World Cup gold in 2006 and 2007 before finishing third at the 2008 Olympics, retired in 2016.
Bumper contract for Bjorkstrand at Blue Jackets
Ice hockey player Oliver Bjorkstrand, 25, has agreed a new deal of 164 million kroner with the Columbus Blue Jackets, who will keep him in the NHL club until the end of the 2025-26 season. Bjorkstrand has scored 65 goals and 68 assists in 246 games for the Blue Jackets since making his debut in the 2015-16 season.
Freediver smashes pedigree record with 200 meter jump
The Danish freediver Stig Severinsen, 47, has broken the world record for the longest successful descent into water on a mouthful of air. His grade of 202 meters off the coast of Mexico broke the previous record of 177, which was set in 2016. Severinsen can hold his breath under water for over 20 minutes, which is also a record.
The Dane, who played under Klopp in Mainz 05, takes over as coach
Bo Svensson, 41, has been named the new head coach of Mainz 05, the Bundesliga club, which Jรผrgen Klopp led for eight years before joining Borussia Dortmund in 2008. Svensson, who previously led the Austrian 2nd team FC Liefering, played under Klopp after signing. in 2007. Mainz 05 currently sits 17th in the Bundesliga table.
Kasper snatches dad’s record
Kasper Schmeichel, 34, has now played more matches for Leicester City than his father Peter did for Manchester United – the Danish record for a goalkeeper in a single club in Denmark. The landmark also leaves him a game away from completing 400 starts for the Foxes. However, Peter retains the Premier League record when Kasper’s first three seasons at Leicester were in the Championship.
Eriksen tipped for another move in January – PSG among the hunters
Christian Eriksen has been linked with relocations to former clubs Ajax and Tottenham as well as Paris Saint-Germain if he leaves Italian giants Inter this month. That would end an unfortunate year after his move from Tottenham last January.
Another Dane joins Atalanta
Right back Joakim Mรฆhle, 23, has left Genk to sign for the Serie A club Atalanta, where he can look forward to a knockout game in the Champions League against Real Madrid this spring. In 130 games for Genk, Mรฆhle scored six goals and delivered 22 assists. National teammate Andreas Cornelius plays for Atalanta, but is currently on loan at Parma.
Danish influence in Charlton apparently
The English League 1 club Charlton Athletic has caught the 31-year-old Danish striker Ronnie Schwartz from FC Midtjylland. The south-east London club, which was recently bought by the Danish businessman Thomas Sandgaard, hopes to return to the championship after relegation last season. It is currently sixth in the table.
Swap Superliga to Slavia
SรธnderjyskE right back Alexander Bah, 23, has moved to Slavia Prague for an undisclosed fee, which is rumored to be 13 million kroner. SรธnderjyskE has confirmed that the move has broken its transfer record. Bah, who has Europa League knockout football to look forward to, has agreed a four-year contract.
Astralis back on top of the world
The Danish Counter-Strike team Astralis is again number one in the world after its victory at the IEM Global Challenge, which saw it overtake the French rival Team Vitality. Astralis also raised 1.2 million kroner.
Source: The Nordic Page
