In 2018, FIFAThe Federation Internationale de Football Association is the world's highest governing body of association football. chose Russia to host the World Cup, just four years after the annexationIn 2014, Russia invaded and took over the control of the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine. It has occupied Crimea ever since.  of Crimea. In 1934, the competition was held in Italy under fascist dictator Benito MussoliniThe fascist dictator of Italy from 1922 to 1943. . In 2014, it was hosted in Brazil, where citizens rioted ferociously against a government they said was letting them starve.

The World Cup has never been afraid to court controversy. The historic football competition is held every four years, in a new host nation each time. And since it is the most prestigious association football competition in the world, the role of host is usually hotly contended.

Not so this time, as Saudi Arabia sails to the fore as 2034 host, against no competitors at all. Saudi Arabia will be the second nation from the Middle East to host the tournament, after Qatar staged the 2022 event.

The decision has sparked uproar. "How close could Fifa get to corporate manslaughter?" read one headline in The Guardian. "Saudi 2034 World Cup an outrage and a sham," declared The Times.

International rights groups have not hesitated to express their opposition. Amnesty InternationalAn international non-governmental organisation focused on human rights. published a report concluding that the tournament will put innumerable lives at risk. Human Rights Watch claimed the decision "exposes FIFA's empty human rights commitments".

The Gulf nation has a notoriously bad record on human rights, with international organisations highlighting its abuse of migrant workers, mass executions, allegations of torture and highly patriarchalA society in which adult men have a monopoly on power. In these societies, men tend to hold all political positions, and women and children are also expected to obey the men in their families. system of male guardianship. Freedom of speech is also highly repressed in Saudi Arabia.

The country claims that its stringentVery strict. laws are necessary to protect national security. But it has consistently ranked "worst of the worst" in American democracy organisation Freedom House's annual survey of political and civil rights.

And not for the first time, Saudi Arabia has been accused of "sportswashing", or using sport to attract positive attention and thereby shield itself from criticism of its human rights record.

It seems difficult to deny. The kingdom, overseen by de factoSomething that happens in practice, in contrast to that which happens de jure, or according to the law. ruler Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has been seeking to expand its influence in the global sporting sector in recent years.

Its sovereign wealth fundAn investment fund that operates on behalf of the state. PIF is chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is believed to have ordered the murder of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi. has invested billions into various sporting ventures such as boxing, golf, Formula One and e-sports, which are an essential facet of its "Vision 2030" strategy to boost economic growth, and it already hosts a range of glitzy sporting events.

But beneath the shiny veneer is a dark secret. According to a recent ITV documentary, as many as 21,000 Nepali, Bangladeshi and Indian workers have died in Saudi Arabia since Vision 2030 was launched around eight years ago.

How could the beautiful game ally itself with slaughter? Some say that we have forgotten the real meaning of football - the game that Brazilian football legend Pele described as being "about the people".

But others say this is a long time coming. Football is no longer just a sport - now, it is a multibillion-dollar industry driven by partnerships between the world's biggest economies, lucrative deals, advertising and sponsorships. It has long been a soulless venture - now, it may even be a murderous one.

Has football become an outrage and a sham?

Yes: The World Cup should be boycottedRefused to cooperate with or participate in an event, as a form of protest. immediately by anybody who has any concern for human life. Allowing Saudi Arabia to host, knowing how many migrant workers are likely to die in the process, is tantamount to FIFA having blood on its hands.

No: It is only fair that every country should have an equal opportunity to host the World Cup. Football should remain apoliticalOf no political significance, or not linked to politics., and that means letting countries host regardless of whether you agree with their dealings.

Or... The issue is not with football specifically, but with the commodification of sport. You can no longer just watch sport to enjoy it. It has to be about the grandest, most ostentatiousWith a pretentious or showy display. displays and investments. Of course that means that countries are willing to sacrifice people to come out on top.

Fifa - The Federation Internationale de Football Association is the world's highest governing body of association football.

Annexation - In 2014, Russia invaded and took over the control of the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine. It has occupied Crimea ever since. 

Benito Mussolini - The fascist dictator of Italy from 1922 to 1943.

Amnesty International - An international non-governmental organisation focused on human rights.

Patriarchal - A society in which adult men have a monopoly on power. In these societies, men tend to hold all political positions, and women and children are also expected to obey the men in their families.

Stringent - Very strict.

De facto - Something that happens in practice, in contrast to that which happens de jure, or according to the law.

Sovereign wealth fund - An investment fund that operates on behalf of the state. PIF is chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is believed to have ordered the murder of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Boycotted - Refused to cooperate with or participate in an event, as a form of protest.

Apolitical - Of no political significance, or not linked to politics.

Ostentatious - With a pretentious or showy display.