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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BBC TV commentators are a predictable joke. You can almost feel Lawrenson’s brain whirring whilst the main commentator is speaking, trying to come up with yet another pun or lame joke.
Are they contractually obliged to mention England or their Premier League every few minutes?
This would give fitba’ a bad name.
Awe Naw
It’s a technical term for the density and constitution of sawdust. Please keep up :-))
Germans need to get Mueller into the game.
HH
Rory has the bumble bee strip on tonight at the golf..
Is it wrong to pine for the X-factor, The Voice or even Britain’s Got Talent. Can’t believe I used up a batch of brownie points to get the big TV for this one.
Wee Leo Messi equalises for Argentina
Argentina/Brazil live on ESPN now
Zbyszek,
UEFA have already came out and commented on the chants by way of confirmation (that the chants took place). They cannot intervene directly unless an official complaint is made (presumably from the Dutch association).
The argument that no one has officialy done so, therefore questioning the validity of claims that offensive chanting took place is ‘fair game,’ doesn’t sit right with me.
It is dissappointing that it has taken place and as I stated earlier, I hope that the tournament is remembered for the welcome that decent fans like yourself offer than for any further unsavoury incidents.
HH
.
Brazil Argentina on ESPN now, 1-1 Messi just caused. Be a better game than the Euros.
2-1 Messi
Glorious finish from Messi
2-1 Argentina
bt –
Just checked that on Sky Sports 3. Brilliant!
I’m quite enjoying the cut and thrust of this game (yes I’m watching Germany v Portugal) – I’m also watching on t’internet i.e. english-speaking commentators but NOT epl commentators.
Looking forward to the second half.
Yawn. Gonna get ma paint oot and watch it dry……
i have seen more football in 5mins at Argentina/Brazil, than i have watching the Euros game
Brazil must be struggling for players if Rafael is getting a game
10men
is he not a ninja turtle?
blantyretim
‘is he not a ninja turtle?’
He sure plays like one :)
Portuguese subs line dancing.
Thanks Btim….!!!
67 heaven
7.45 Celtic park time..
Bad night for Big Vic as Kenya lose 1-0 to Namibia in a WC qualifier
But better news for ol’ Mo Bangura as Sierra Leone get a 2-2 draw away to Equatorial Guinea
Evra ? Terry ?
Evra needs locking up for racially abusing himself…
Caution: Bad Language !
Evra has a wee rant in 2004
German boss picking his snout & eating it there. Boak
Germany and Portugal cancelling each other out, bring on Klose for goals.
Comment on the BZ ticker that “live streaming of a bingo game in an old folks home would be more exciting than this match” Too true!
Ten men…
Rafael? You mean the defender or the keeper? I’m no a fan o either (especially the keeper, which I reckon is Santos weakest link. Always). However, as the Olympic squad needs to be made up from U-23’s that’s why they’re there.
No a bad game though. Pity (for me) that Aguerro was drapped in favour of Soso. Still I suppose I’ll get my money back on Argentina to win 3-1 with Aguerro first scorer.
Been watching this guff since 1630 ….interspersed the first game with the SA rugby , that was quite enjoyable
Fitba has been mince today
sectarian and racist chanting is totally disgusting and for the single minded ! our so called government should hang their heads in shame at letting the former be allowed to be rammed down our throats with every walk! can anybody imagine the uproar and quite rightly so if they sang about being up to their knees in n****r blood !! 1 country many cultures !! i beg to differ !! hail hail
Mark Lawrenson, somehow every time he opens his mouth I think of Les Dawson in curlers and a hair net, standing clutchin his bag to his bosom, bitchin to his wee pal.
…right, phone’s just rung. That’s me off to the pub to watch the rest of the game. Which probably means there’ll be a few goals scored afore I get there.
Pfayr
That’s unfair tae mince. Its quite tasty wi a wee bit broon sauce.
At last!
Right well, that’s me in profit so far then. Mario Gomez.
Interesting article Paul. I agree with your comments about xenophobia being part of the reason for this media coverage, perhaps coupled with the English media’s continued dismay at the corruption in world football bodies that caused England’s world cup bid to disappear up the lum?
It was interesting that pre match on the BBC Gary Lineker – a pundit I usually think is not bad – made a comment about the German’s having arrived early at the stadium and how that may have been so they could get their towels down. Funny how the beeb, who have made headline news out of the “racism scandal at the Euros”, seem content for that kind of lazy stereotyping to be repeated.
Double standards? Casual digs based on tired stereotyping of people? Shurely not eh?
Goal germany
Great goal from Gomez…….!!
Gomez first goal ……get in ,,,,,!!!!!
A goal at last. Woo hoo!
67heaven. Cmon germany!