I find myself undecided as to how to treat the Qatar World Cup. Boycott? Protest? Just enjoy the football?

The game is a mucky, mucky business at the best of times. The governing bodies are problematic, and club ownership is riddled with ethically questionable, if not outright dirty, money.

How Qatar was awarded the competition aside, there are many reasons to feel queasy about joining a celebration of the beautiful game there.

The country’s record on women’s rights falls short of 'acceptable', and its record on workers’ rights is appalling, despite claims to reform since the competition was awarded.

But how this differs for me from other collisions of sport and ethics is that in Qatar people are not allowed to be gay or transgender.

With the recent trumpeting by the authorities of initiatives to tackle homophobia and racism in the sport, in this country and internationally, this feels too much.

While I support England captain Harry Kane, Wales captain Gareth Bale and, hopefully, France's Hugo Lloris for wearing One Love armbands, it is hard to see this as using the tournament to make a great protest for change.

So what do I do? Knee surgery in the summer is probably what took me out of Southgate’s thoughts for the team itself, and my opinions on Antonio Conte’s Spurs, seen in these pages, haven’t had me headhunted for the England beat.

And the powers-that-be haven't come knocking with the Qatar dollar, as they have for David Beckham.

So my options are limited. In these pages we'll be happy to record how LGBT+ supporter groups, and other football fans, mark the Qatar World Cup. 

But, on a personal level, can I in good conscience join a celebration of football hosted by a country where people are outlawed for being themselves? 

I don't yet know.

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