fischerw
12 Apr 2007, 09:23 PM
Check out Frank Deford's "viewpoint", which sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer have up on their main site:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/frank_deford/04/11/big.ones/index.html
Really, Deford only talks about soccer in the first few paragraphs, then the rest of the article...has not much to do with the beginning.
BUT, for once I might actually agree with something Deford had to say about soccer. In the article, he blames football violence in Europe not on the nature of the game (as other soccer-hating boneheads come close to doing), but on the fact that soccer is so primary in many European countries. We in the US are generally fans of many different sports, and we have our preferred teams in each sport. Although basketball, or hockey, etc, may be somewhat popular in various European countries, soccer is FAR AND AWAY top dog. Die hard supporters of various clubs, like Roma, or ManU, probably aren't also die hard fans of any team in any other sport.
So, while in November I could say, "Damn, the Tigers lost the World Series. Oh well, the Red Wings and the Pistons are getting underway now!", some guy in Belgrade might say, "Red Star have lost! I have nothing to live for now. I want to beat up some fans of the other team!"
Well, now that I've written that last bit, Deford's argument seems a little far-fetched. But I still think it might at least partially explain the violence that occurs in stadiums in Europe--there aren't enough venues in which fans can vent their sports angst.
Other factors are certainly involved. For example, Supporters' groups are often political in nature, which could add to the tensions that create the violence.
But, anyway, what do you think of Deford's point here? Maybe someone with more firsthand knowledge of European supporters groups (of which I have none, really) can opine.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/frank_deford/04/11/big.ones/index.html
Really, Deford only talks about soccer in the first few paragraphs, then the rest of the article...has not much to do with the beginning.
BUT, for once I might actually agree with something Deford had to say about soccer. In the article, he blames football violence in Europe not on the nature of the game (as other soccer-hating boneheads come close to doing), but on the fact that soccer is so primary in many European countries. We in the US are generally fans of many different sports, and we have our preferred teams in each sport. Although basketball, or hockey, etc, may be somewhat popular in various European countries, soccer is FAR AND AWAY top dog. Die hard supporters of various clubs, like Roma, or ManU, probably aren't also die hard fans of any team in any other sport.
So, while in November I could say, "Damn, the Tigers lost the World Series. Oh well, the Red Wings and the Pistons are getting underway now!", some guy in Belgrade might say, "Red Star have lost! I have nothing to live for now. I want to beat up some fans of the other team!"
Well, now that I've written that last bit, Deford's argument seems a little far-fetched. But I still think it might at least partially explain the violence that occurs in stadiums in Europe--there aren't enough venues in which fans can vent their sports angst.
Other factors are certainly involved. For example, Supporters' groups are often political in nature, which could add to the tensions that create the violence.
But, anyway, what do you think of Deford's point here? Maybe someone with more firsthand knowledge of European supporters groups (of which I have none, really) can opine.