Xenophobia trumps racism for Brits at Euros

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All week I’ve been telling myself that it is a healthy thing that discriminatory chanting has come under the spotlight prior to Euro 2012.  The world needs to focus on those who are unable to find an outlet for their testosterone without picking on the vulnerable.

We know all about discriminatory chanting in Scotland, you could say, we’re up to our knees in it, so I’ve been slightly uncomfortable at the tone to some of the reporting about Poland and Ukraine.  It feels a bit like we’ve decided, ‘They have it too, let’s talk about them.  Not us’.  When I say “us”, I don’t mean you, of course.

Fair enough, I thought, let’s bring this issue out, but at the start of the second half between Netherlands and Denmark when BBC commentator Jonathan Pearce reported “We haven’t heard any racist comments here today.  Not when the young, black, Dutch left back got the ball, or at any other time” I figured this is more about xenophobia than racism.  Xenophobia about Eastern Europe.

We’re no wiser about how to deal with our testosterone-fuelled under-achievers with a purpose to find than anyone else.  In fact, we’re worse for allowing our intellectuals to indulge in the last refuge of the scoundrel.

My money is on the Polish and Ukrainian fans emerging from this tournament with a better reputation than some of their Western European counterparts.

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  1. Eyes Wide Open on

    Thats a fairly deep topic to be posting on a Saturday evening Paul!!

     

     

    This place will be fairly interesting come 10pm id say!

  2. Ten Men Won The League

     

     

    You are right. It’s like England vs Argentina, let’s suppose in 1984.

     

    The Russian supporters want marching on June 12th in Warsaw. This is the day

     

    of the game. They want to match with banners, flags, including USSR symbols on main street going from the centre to the Old Town.

     

    President of Warsaw told them: Yes, if you want to march, you can march. We will help you to prepare all documents to make it legal.

  3. fanadpatriot on

    blantyretim

     

    What’s the matter with you,I have attended mass,and on to my second bottle of red.

  4. fanad

     

    god knows, didn’t have a drink last night either….

     

     

    nurse……

  5. Back from Mass, I see the candle I lit for the Dutch to score 2 in the second half was pointless!!

  6. Vigil mass attended, check

     

    Pizza in oven, check

     

    Football on a Saturday night and I’m getting the big telly as well as the company of my 2 big Bhoys, check

     

    red wine almost at room temperature (by the way, isn’t it ALWAYS room temperaturre?), check

     

    Bets placed on Germany at -1 and -2,check (although likely to be the kiss of death given my recent lack of form).

     

    CQN purring over in the background, check

     

     

    Life is indeed good!

  7. “The smoker you play,the drinker you get.”

     

    The Firesign Theatre circa1969 I think. Appropriated by Joe Walsh.

     

    Anyway,you get there round about closing time.

  8. tommytwiststommyturns

     

     

    Thanks, I got it. Will do what you say after this.

     

     

    Earler I wrote about none story in UK media. They reported that 50 hooligans in Lodz beaten English and Russian speaking fans in pub. Police confirmed that thsi thing has not happened.

     

    Officilal report says that Polish police intevend 16 times so far due to the Euro things. Mediacl help was given to about 300 people, mainly to drunk people.

  9. soal

     

    the have the electric candles so HT doesn’t take more than he pays for…

  10. BT

     

     

    You can wind up your PP tomorrow for leaving straight after Communion today at the new Bishop’s Ordination in Edinburgh!! :-)

  11. I’ll put me cards on the table – am up for germany tonight. After recent dissappointments they changed football in their country root and branch_ a passing game, low entry prices at clubs, academies, national team managers working with club managers on tactics and style, a published intention to play in a style which national and youth teams agreed to play by.

     

     

    Viel gluck Deuthscland

  12. •-:¦:-•** -:¦:- sparkleghirl :¦:-.•**• -:¦:-• on

    I always fancy the portuguese ;)

     

     

    I cried when they lost the final against Greece. It was the last chance for some great players to win something.

  13. HT

     

     

    those on here who know Fr Lamb will know that I would be best to leave it alone.. o))

  14. Jobo

     

     

    I hear ya.

     

     

    Golf

     

    Fitba

     

    Chinese Takeway

     

    Fitba

     

    Beer

     

    Canny beat it!

     

     

    Mass the morra tho….

     

     

    Enjoy!

  15. Germany for me this afternoon.

     

    Portugal depend too much on a couple of individuals.

     

    Germany will nullify Nani and Ronaldo and dominate possession.

  16. Jobo

     

     

    Advice from TET last night was to put some ice in your red wine!!

  17. Hi All,

     

    Just got my new Samsumg Galaxy S3, does anyone know where there is a link so I can download the four horsemen banner, would love to have it as a screensaver.

  18. Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo on

    EDB,

     

     

    How very dare you. I am a very agreeable chap I will have you know. ;-)

     

     

    HH

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