BACKLASH OVER ABUSE OF FOOTBALLERS
Z KOS MSc MEc BScEcon Hons MBA • 14 July 2021
The GARETH SOUTHGATE calamity saga ...
I’m shaken by today's headlines regarding online abuse of three black footballers on media platforms and am ashamed that even after 30 years in this country there are still large numbers of people targeting black players. I am a football fan myself and all that matters to me when I am watching football is the game, not politics.
If anything, it should be an escape from politics. Thus, I am upset that the game is being tarnished and seemingly thrown onto the frontlines of what seems to be a cold cultural conflict derived from the US. We must distinguish sports from politics as politics is inherently divisive and tribal, whereas the only thing that should divide fans is the badge on their shirts.
Taking a knee before the game is not the gesture all of us would support because of the negative connotations and connections with BLM as an organisation, not the 3 words themselves, as Lyle Taylor of Nottingham Forest has stated. Those at the top of BLM simply have views that are grounded in the 20th century. One example; a founder of the movement idolises Chairman Mao. Furthermore, the organisation’s lax view on violence and anti-police rhetoric is far too detached from reality especially in a British context. The idea simply is that the connection between the gesture and some of the worst factions in cultural politics is too strong and I feel not just myself but many others would simply like a gesture an act that is not divisive, that doesn’t in some way allow to be politically manipulated into pushing vile and extreme views.
Yes, it was refreshing to see the kneel at first and calling for actual change. However, taking the knee has lost its ability to bring people together to push for a unified message fighting racism. How many football teams in Europe and elsewhere are starting the game by taking a knee? Only a few in Europe and not even every US team are doing it anymore.
Back to the racial abuse of 3 English players who missed the penalty:
This has nothing to do with Priti Patel or Boris Johnson, this is a gesture of people who have not been raised in their families with healthy moral and ethical values. I’ve never voted for a Tory, nor do I like Boris, but the idea that it was these two that stoked the fire and made these disgusting people propagate those racist views lacks any legitimacy, and the claim simply exists to spread more division.
I feel this comes down to a lack of professionalism in the team, built up by Gareth Southgate, who has and always was a failure of a manager.
These players do their jobs (should do their jobs), they are paid for these jobs money that 99.99% of us could only dream about.
When you are having players being paid £80,000 to £320,000 per week, people find themselves disillusioned with these millionaires when they decide to lecture the working man wrongfully about who’s to blame. For example, Tyrone Mings having silly online spats with Priti Patel. The whole situation seems a bit pathetic on Twitter and takes away any salience that would otherwise go towards building bridges and bringing hope by showing how we as a country responded to these racist factions and talk of how we can better protect these players and communities from these factions.
Finally, going back to Southgate. It was Gareth Southgate who chose the players and not Priti Patel or Boris Johnson. Taking my politics hat off and my football cap on, people who know and understand football were all collectively shocked at the line up for penalties. Sancho and Rashford were both players who never even kicked a ball in the game, were left with one kick on the biggest stage at the most critical of moments. Also, Saka who had a great game was given the ‘final’ penalty as a 19 year old. Every football mind knows your most confident and experienced man should be taking a penalty that colossally important. My point is not that Southgate enabled the racist abuse, that would be very improper to suggest, but let me make it clear that he set that team up to fail, he let down his players.
You have been well beaten by old Italian geezers who have superb coaches in Mancini and Vialli who enable and show unifying character that brilliantly presents a patriotic spirit that does not give space or time of day to some Ultra Italy factions with links to fascism. The fight for every ball all around the pitch. England getting to the final with the squad like that for me is not a success at all, bearing in mind passing the semi-finals against Denmark with a penalty that many believe was a dive. Instead of taking advantage of this by winning the final, England failed and now some in the England rank are whining trying to make the point on the media against Priti and Boris. Priti and Boris do not have footballs at their feet 24/7 like he does and they are not paid like he is. Those two have a job and regardless if they do it well or not, they stick to that job (unlike Matt Hancock maybe).
Final thoughts, I believe and have for quite a few years that there has been a deterioration of professionalism and a quiet disregard to what actually needs to be focused on from both England players and the media. Ultimately, we need to find a new way to unite ourselves that doesn’t give space to extremist views!
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Loser always has an excuse like Kemi "to be honest". Well, the winner always has a plan and program what this new Labour government has which was not the case with previous 14 years of Conservative government.
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My grandma would win on the last 3 occasions if she would not be dead and be a manager of such a squads.
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24.06.2024.
It was more of a meeting of politically and morally failed leaders who are fighting to stay in power, except for the host, the Italian Prime Minister.
These are tough and serious times, where serious people are needed to solve them on legal and democratic way as much as possible.
Please forgive me, but I have to ask you as well: "Laura Trott, do you believe in all the crap which comes out from your mouth?"
Time for you Rishi to pack your coffers (your wife's and kids are already packed) and see you in California.
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Some 30,000 Georgians took to the streets Wednesday in the latest round of a weeks-long mass protest against a "foreign influence" law whose adoption by parliament has prompted a blizzard of international condemnation.
So far the mayor’s position in 3 the biggest cities in UK, Labour retain London where Sadiq Khan was elected for the 3rd time consecutive (impressive, despite congesting charge, Ulez,…) with 43.8% votes.
Question for PM: Do you really believe in all the crap coming out from your mouth and how do you sleep at night?
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"Too late, my time has come
Send shivers down my spine, body aching all the time
Goodbye, everybody, I've got to go
Gotta leave you all behind and face the truth ..."
You tried hard to give to whoever was watching you today impression infront of election on 2nd May 2024, but i believe this with all other antics and minx conservatives are doing lately will be a bit to less to late.
You want me to go further with you Kay Burley? Sky News are saying to be "Independent" News Channel. I very much doubt about this! I can disclose instantly minimum of 9 (nine) very questionable and dodge issues about your "independence".
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The incumbent thus emerges as the clear winner of the presidential election. There was no significant opponent.
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Oops! ... I did it again!
Rishi Sunak two by-election defeat, make no mistake, these are extraordinary results for Labour!
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Merry Christmas and Happy & Prosperous New Year 2024 from Mercator and Montana & Montana
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Rishi don’t worry about the catastrophic flooding in England after storm Ciaran.
We just won our case!
There were no small boats with immigrants over the channel!
Can you imagine Rishi, no new immigrants in the last few days since Ciaran visited us!
One of your pledges are coming realistic!
The defence rests!
He owns satellites, he owns internet services along with social media sites. He is increasingly one of the most powerful figures in the world.
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How stupid would this be?
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Well Mr Holden, 7.5 million followers of our blogs are more than happy that you are not mayor of London despite that 6.9 million followers are not from London. In their commentaries to your speech today concerning stabbing in Croydon they comment that only you – conservatives are flip-flopping on all issues and that the damage you done in the last 13 years will be with us for the next 2-3 generations.
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Do not forget that Rishi hold the office and number 10 being prime minister unelected, prime minister without a single vote, prime minister even from his own MP's, prime minister without mandate from people. All what he touch is not or will not benefit the British people!
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