AuthorSports Billy So this past week or so has seen Hollywood movie plot-like drama play out in Salisbury, England, of all places, with poisoned former Russian spies, nerve gas and alleged Russian involvement in it all. This has sent politics in to overdrive both here and around the world in condemning Russia for their alleged actions, as well as plenty of discussion around what sanctions are to be potentially imposed on the perpetrators. Given this is a World Cup year and it just so happens that Russia is hosting this year’s edition, it’s been suggested that the England footy team should boycott the tournament in response to what’s happened. I am personally not in agreement that the national football team needs to “sit out” this competition in order to send a signal to Russia, as this has the potential to open a whole can of worms around this type of thing. If England/the FA take a stance on this, then this leaves a minefield in terms of reasons for why we should and shouldn’t go to other future tournaments (not to mention the potential for FIFA getting involved to stop “political interference” in the sport by the government). For example, the next Euros are going to be the new expanded version which will be hosted continent wide. I’m sure some of the countries involved could have some sort of questionable human rights record or dodgy involvement with something that a certain group of people won’t be in agreement with, so will England be called on to skip this tournament too? And what’s after that? Qatar 2022 of course (if indeed it goes ahead)! To say that this competition has been controversial is an understatement and the country’s human rights record leaves a lot to be desired, so this will be the logical next event for England to not participate in. Now I’m sure there are many long suffering football fans that may agree that England taking the moral high ground and boycotting competitions is the ideal way to avoid yet another summer of underwhelming football disappointment! But what I’m trying to get across here is that once politics and sport are mixed and a stance is made on one matter, precedent is then set - England will be world champs at being the moral compass! And why should this sort of boycotting stop with England and major tournaments? Modern football as we know it is a cesspit filled with obscene wealth, owners of clubs failing “fit and proper persons” tests and a governing body that has proved itself in recent years to not be fit for purpose.
All levels of football has been infiltrated by unknown owners with shady backgrounds, questionable sponsorship deals and agents wielding immense power over players, clubs and managers. None of this is ideal and most of the modern mechanics of the beautiful game are rotten to the core, which leaves quite the dilemma for the average fan. Most of us just want to go to the footy on the weekend after a hard week at work and immerse yourself in the escapism of supporting your team through the highs and lows of a 90 minute game. There’s enough drama during those two halves, plus a robust discussion in the pub afterwards with mates about the games talking points, without questioning whether you are a bad person or not for loving a side who’s owner has links to a political regime with a less than perfect human rights record (for example) and ultimately wondering should you boycott supporting your local club?! Where should the line be drawn for things to object to in Football? Or should fans be able to separate the game from the background workings of it? Anyways, back to England and major cup competitions. As a response to the alleged nerve gas attack by the Russians it’s been announced by the Prime Minister that there will be no politicians or royals attending the upcoming World Cup in Russia. That will tell them! |
AuthorsJust Some Fans Writing About Football. Archives
June 2018
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