England’s priority in Qatar remains simple – bring the World Cup home! It’s time

Emir we go!

IT’S time.

No more virtue-signalling talk, comedians burning ten grand or childish rants by men called Infantino.

Today England begin their latest World Cup odyssey.

And we can begin to dream of what really matters: A Harry Kane hat-trick, Pickford triumphant in a penalty shoot-out and, maybe, redemption for Harry Maguire.

Because one thing is clear.

All the greed, corruption and contempt behind the decision to hand Qatar the World Cup Finals cannot ever destroy our love of the Beautiful Game.

Most fans are sick of being powerless in the debate over Fifa awarding the world’s biggest tournament to one of the world’s most closed societies.

They just want to watch matches in pubs where pints of Budweiser will be freely sold and joyfully sunk.

England’s stars, led by Kane wearing the rainbow armband, will make their own disappointment clear.

But their priority remains simple: Bring it home!

Jesse Owens didn’t flinch in front of Hitler’s racists in 1936.

He went out and won four Olympic gold medals.

Similarly, there will be no greater message in Qatar than a total victory for an open, free and tolerant nation.

A Land of Hope and Glory. So come on England!

It’s time.

Swiss barmy

DOWNING Street yesterday rushed to stamp on the idea they’re planning a Swiss-style relationship with the EU.

Good. What’s troubling is that very senior figures at the heart of Government are even suggesting it.

A Swiss-style relationship would mean signing up to EU rules, without any say over how they are made.

It would hand back control to Brussels and, in time, even free movement would be back on the table.

In short, it would be a betrayal of Brexit and amount to a suicide note in the Red Wall seats.

Covid has, understandably, held the Government back when it comes to maximising the benefits of leaving.

Rishi Sunak is a true Brexiteer.

Now he needs to deliver – and make sure his Chancellor is in no doubt about the importance of the mission.

Award-whiner

IT was hurtful enough when Harry and Meg went on telly to accuse senior Royals of racism without any evidence.

That they should then agree to accept an award for their “heroic” stance against “structural racism” from the Robert F Kennedy Human Rights Foundation in New York is sickening.

RFK, a former US Attorney General, was a lifelong seeker of truth.

Something that is in short supply when it comes to the Sussexes.