Soccer, Sports and Politics - Part Deux

Dude, I’m trying to be serious here…

 

If we are going to try to understand each other, I think it's important that I do answer. At least Sounders78 had the wisdom to preface his statements by saying the following:

So, with that in mind, let me try to put a bit of a context on who we are, why we may not be 100 % objective (on the Nazi stereotype issue in particular) and what I'm talking about, by telling you a personal story, that I hope will help you guys understand where I'm coming from. Sometimes actual stories can be more helpful than statistics or facts, so I hope that this is the case here.

When I was a teen, one of my best friends was the son of a Basque immigrant. We became very close, as we had to share a desk all day for a couple of years during high school. His family had been opposed to Francisco Franco's Nationalists and they had fled from Spain to France when the Nationalists won. Then the French Vichy government came and his whole family was turned in by French collaborators and they were all massacred, except for his father and a sister who managed to escape to Argentina. His father found haven in Argentina, started a family, and that's my friend's story. Anyway, that is the story he told me about his family. I met his parents, I used to go to their house. They are real people, real victims of European Fascism. Alas, there are too many people and families like his in Argentina, I personally can tell you many similar stories, to the extent that such experiences have collectively become part of our national identity.

Now, this kid and I, being typical Argentines, would banter about soccer, with me being a Boca fan he would sometimes try to make fun of me by making ugly comments like "What are you doing being a Bostero, fans of Boca are all Bolivians and Paraguayans (as if that were an insult), sort of the same ugly thing that was and is still common in Argentina, the topic that we are discussing here, and that we agree that we need to eradicate.

Anyway, imagine if we were trying to talk to my friend, in an effort to get him to understand how hurtful and unacceptable those types of songs and comments are, and somebody (say a Frenchman) comes riding in his high horse talking smack about Peron and the Nazis going to Argentina in the 1940's.

Think about it, do you think that is going to be helpful in trying to get somebody from that background to see where he is being wrong? If he still defends Enzo and his teammates in what they did, or doesn't fully understand why they are making such a big deal, do you think that bringing up the nazis is going to be a constructive comment to advance the conversation or will it get in the way? (I don't know if my friend still does these things or has this point of view, I haven't spoken to him, but supposing he still does, as many others like him do, I don't think the Nazi card would be the right approach). Please try to understand the context, based on our identity, who we are, how we see ourselves, and where we come from.

To add more context, I think you all know if you follow my comments that I am not a Peronist, I hate much of what the Peronists stand for and what they've done to our country. But I have to also acknowledge that in Argentina Juan Peron is a figure revered by many, and there are admittedly good reasons why many revere him as their champion, particularly the poor and underprivileged classes. (If you are American, think Franklin Roosevelt to the 20th degree, that is how the working class and the poor in Argentina feel about Peron.)

Many of the sort of people who go to the soccer stadium to sing the reprehensible songs (and a few lucky ones who become top soccer players like Enzo Fernandez) are in fact the base of the Peronist Party. So, if I'm trying to get them to see the light, the last thing I want to do is start some stupid unnecessary smack about Peron. Please believe me, bringing up Peron as a Nazi sympathizer is going to most likely quickly put an end to any hope of a reasonable conversation right there and then, and is that what we want, if we are hoping to accomplish change?

Anyway, I'll let you guys think about it. I don't need you all to agree with me, but at least I hope you can understand a little better who we are and where we come from and why I'm saying what I'm saying. Peace!

 

This is what I posted in the Argentine forum:

 

Yeah, that was shameful. Honoring Fernandez at this time was definitely not smart, let alone what the fans did.

The Argentine media didn't let that one go. they called it shameful. For example, TN called it "repudiable” (reprehensible).

(The reprehensible attitude of a group of River fans during the tribute to Enzo Fernandez)

https://tn.com.ar/deportes/futbol/2...zo-fernandez-en-el-monumental/?outputType=amp

And a headline from La Nacion:

https://www.lanacion.com.ar/deporte...ancia-durante-el-homenaje-a-enzo-nid21072024/

(Fans of River sang the racist and homphobic song against France during the tribute to Enzo Fernandez)

It was all over the media, highliting the racist and homophobic nature of what happened. From what I heard this morning on the radio, sanctions against River are expected from the Argentine federation. I will take a wait and see attitude on that. Given River's power in AFA, I don't expect more than a warning, and maybe a token fine.

At least after the international scandal they are starting to report on this crap, lets see to what extent AFA will hold the club and its fans accountable.

 

They are saying in Argentina that Luca Langoni is being transfered from Boca to New England for about seven million. Luca is a great kid, he scored a number of key goals to help Boca win the 2022 title. Then he had a bad injury, and never fully came back, as with the arrival of Cavani and Merentiel he was relegated to the bench. But he should do well in MLS, he’s only 22, very quick and very talented.

 

Yeah, I think it's a risk. He was out for almost a year, with a muscular injury, and when he came back he reinjured himself. I'm surprised they were able to get that much money for him. But if he gets back to his 2022 level, he might be a bargain.