The Embarrassing Problem of Racist/Geographical Chanting

It's the year 2013, and we are supposed to have flying cars, be living in a utopia and even chilling on Mars. Nah....I don't think any of those elements have come to fruition. It very much feels like things haven't changed....and sometimes as if things have gotten worse. I can't believe I am living in the millenium age and there is still a REAL issue with racism and other unsavory chanting at stadiums.

Capello came out and spoke of how an initiative of Juventus's went badly wrong. By putting in the youth at the sections where the infamous Ultra fans would be, it was ASSUMED that it would create a rare tranquil atmosphere. Seems though that the apple does not fall far from the tree, because the kids hurled chants at the Udinese keeper Zeljko Brkic. In the end, nothing had changed and the vicious cycle continued.


The great thing about going to a football match is about the atmosphere and the passion from the fans. You can't take that way...that passion. People go there to show their love for their team, and sing their hearts out for ninety minutes. There should however be a line that must not be crossed. There comes a time when taunts become far too personal, and hurtful to the recipient. This is when the passion must be curbed and kept in line.

It stems from those that take part in these taunts as feeling they are doing it in good nature, and "it's all part of the game." That is a dangerous road to go down, and it makes NO SENSE for you to still not enjoy yourself if you aren't insulting someone due to their race or where they are from. The Napoli president has talked of more to be done about the chants against those from the Naples area, citing it to be given the same level of importance as racism. In my opinion, racism precedes geographical insults, but they should all be put together because people have pride in their culture based on either race or their hometown. Once a player feels you are going too far, then it should stop. At the end of the day, it's only a damn sport and human values and so forth are of a much HIGHER importance than trying to get a ball inside a fishnet.

With UEFA in charge, nothing will change. You have a bunch of idiots in suits who could not care less about enforcing real change. Until there are those of a different race wearing the suits and making the decisions, we will continue to see chanting that leaps well over the line.
  Football needs to take a long and hard look at itself as it is the lone walker in the desert. No other major sport has this kind of problem and something is very wrong with THE global game that has an issue that continues to appear time and time again.


CHANGE!


HH