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Monday 17 December 2018
Chelsea Fans Abuse Raheem Sterling
I'm not really a Football fan (Rugby is my game), but I've lived in two places that have rather good teams; Chelsea and Brighton. As such I've been a half-hearted supporter of both.
Just about everyone in the UK will have seen this very short video clip (below), and I expect everyone has been as horrified as I am.
I am disgusted that Chelsea fans, if only a few, should behave in such a way. I believe they now all face lifetime bans.
There is no place at any Football ground for such appalling behaviour. I'll leave you to imagine what was being shouted!
I should add that at Twickenham (the home of Rugby), we applaud ALL good play. Of course we like to see our own side win, but far more important is seeing a good game from BOTH sides.
The thing that got me was the ages of the perpetrators - they're considerably older than the fans around them, but are seen acting like aggressive animals.
I wonder what they were shouting. It might not have been racial, just because he's black. Automatically assuming it was racial is another form of racism in itself.
Ah. I'm not surprised it was elderly men who did the abusing. Most young people are better educated these days, and - amazingly - many of them hardly drink at all.
The 'fan' who's been in the papers allegedly called the footballer a 'black c**t'. He denied it, saying he only called him a 'Manc c**t'. Well, that makes it alright then doesn't it?! Despicable.
In my young days people who used that kind of language were looked down on as being illiterate louts who didn't possess enough language to speak normally. Now, sadly, such language has become commonplace.
I was brought up in Liverpool and I cannot pretend that there wasn't a lot of 'racism' (though not in the legal definition of today). The Catholics and the Protestants spent their lives using hate language towards each other. I know there was a problem at some time experienced by the the fairly large Afro-Caribbean and Jewish communities but having had friends and colleagues in both communities I can only ever once recal overt racism involving those two communities in my presence (and it wasn't, ironically, by a 'white' person).
My 'erstwhile' UK home town of Brighton has always been very cosmopolitan, with no ghettos. I suppose it's because it's such a liberal town that everyone gets on so well with everyone else. I've never felt any tension there; very 'live and let live'.
I remember taking my then 10-year old son to watch England play France at rugby in Marseille. We were both in our England shirts but ended up sitting in the middle of a bunch of French supporters who were making rather ribald but not offensive comments about the England fans. Suddenly my son's former baby-sitter called to ask who was winning so he had a whole conversation with her in French. They were stunned of course but he was raised here. He just turned round and gave them the thumbs up and they all roared laughing! Give me rugby any day!
I'm afraid that a certain amount of racism has always been a part of Football supporting. We have a lot of black players who play for our top clubs, and the Neanderthals think it OK to abuse them in order to upset them. Luckily they are in the minority, but it still happens quite often.
I regret to say that your post has done nothing for your overseas readers to further the understanding of the game of football and the passion of supporters. Please would you explain for their benefit that these supporters are not angry. Unless you are able to do this I will assume that you do not understand either.
I only understand what I see and hear. Bananas being tossed onto the pitch, etc, is not what I would expect from fans. A lot of the 'chants' are openly racist, and certain club supporters are known to be extremely hostile; even if they have black players in their own teams.
You won't find openly racist chants anymore. Chants are in unison and every ground would be shut if they did that. Fans are passionate about their teams even at your Brighton and Hove Albion. They are not angry.
Yes I know YOU didn't but at least one of your foreign READERS was clearly getting the wrong picture and I addressed my comment to you about that. We don't want them getting the wrong idea. Several million people watch football every weekend in a happy, law abiding manner, and with passion but not anger.
THE BELLS ..... THE BELLS ..........
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*I guess we all have good things and bad things about where we live. One of
the lovely things about where our house is, is that it's a stones throw
aw...
1 week ago
Optimistic Cro!
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This is a daily, optimistic, 'photos and comments' blog. I make no judgements (only occasionally), just notes. If you wish to comment in any way at all, please feel free. Everything and everyone (except the obdurate and dictatorial) is very welcome.
I was born just south of London, but for the past 50 years I've lived in S W France. I am a painter by profession, and writer by desire. Lady Magnon and I live between an ancient cottage in a tiny village in perfectly tranquil French countryside, and a bijou townhouse in Brighton UK. In France we have plenty of fruit trees, all situated amongst a view that takes the breath away, in the UK we have a handkerchief sized patio. We also have a Border Collie called Billy. I try to treat our planet with respect, and encourage others to do likewise (without preaching).
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The thing that got me was the ages of the perpetrators - they're considerably older than the fans around them, but are seen acting like aggressive animals.
ReplyDeleteAnd they look so 'respectable' too. Disgraceful.
DeleteIt's just not cricket.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately it IS Football; not everywhere, but it's still quite common.
DeleteManchester United's Eric Cantona's amazing karate kick. My favourite footballer for quotes. "My best goal was a pass."
ReplyDelete"When the Seagulls follow the trawler..."
DeleteI wonder what they were shouting. It might not have been racial, just because he's black. Automatically assuming it was racial is another form of racism in itself.
ReplyDeleteThey had a 'lip-reader' to translate. I believe it was just about as bad as it could get.
DeleteAh. I'm not surprised it was elderly men who did the abusing. Most young people are better educated these days, and - amazingly - many of them hardly drink at all.
DeleteThe 'fan' who's been in the papers allegedly called the footballer a 'black c**t'. He denied it, saying he only called him a 'Manc c**t'. Well, that makes it alright then doesn't it?! Despicable.
DeleteIt'll be a good thing when we're all dead hey.
DeleteIn my young days people who used that kind of language were looked down on as being illiterate louts who didn't possess enough language to speak normally. Now, sadly, such language has become commonplace.
ReplyDeleteI've seen 'Babygrows' with unbelievably nasty things written on them. No wonder it's in common usage!
DeleteI was brought up in Liverpool and I cannot pretend that there wasn't a lot of 'racism' (though not in the legal definition of today). The Catholics and the Protestants spent their lives using hate language towards each other. I know there was a problem at some time experienced by the the fairly large Afro-Caribbean and Jewish communities but having had friends and colleagues in both communities I can only ever once recal overt racism involving those two communities in my presence (and it wasn't, ironically, by a 'white' person).
ReplyDeleteMy 'erstwhile' UK home town of Brighton has always been very cosmopolitan, with no ghettos. I suppose it's because it's such a liberal town that everyone gets on so well with everyone else. I've never felt any tension there; very 'live and let live'.
DeleteI remember taking my then 10-year old son to watch England play France at rugby in Marseille. We were both in our England shirts but ended up sitting in the middle of a bunch of French supporters who were making rather ribald but not offensive comments about the England fans. Suddenly my son's former baby-sitter called to ask who was winning so he had a whole conversation with her in French. They were stunned of course but he was raised here. He just turned round and gave them the thumbs up and they all roared laughing! Give me rugby any day!
ReplyDeleteVery much my experience too, although I must admit that I have not been to many top class Football games.
DeleteI do not understand this anger ? stupid ? It is very sad.
ReplyDeletecheers, parsnip and badger
I'm afraid that a certain amount of racism has always been a part of Football supporting. We have a lot of black players who play for our top clubs, and the Neanderthals think it OK to abuse them in order to upset them. Luckily they are in the minority, but it still happens quite often.
DeleteI regret to say that your post has done nothing for your overseas readers to further the understanding of the game of football and the passion of supporters. Please would you explain for their benefit that these supporters are not angry. Unless you are able to do this I will assume that you do not understand either.
ReplyDeleteI only understand what I see and hear. Bananas being tossed onto the pitch, etc, is not what I would expect from fans. A lot of the 'chants' are openly racist, and certain club supporters are known to be extremely hostile; even if they have black players in their own teams.
DeleteYou won't find openly racist chants anymore. Chants are in unison and every ground would be shut if they did that. Fans are passionate about their teams even at your Brighton and Hove Albion. They are not angry.
DeleteI never said they were angry; just racist. And not ALL of them, obviously.
DeleteYes I know YOU didn't but at least one of your foreign READERS was clearly getting the wrong picture and I addressed my comment to you about that. We don't want them getting the wrong idea. Several million people watch football every weekend in a happy, law abiding manner, and with passion but not anger.
DeleteOh never mind. I don't suppose it is worth explaining anyway.
Delete