i am never going to get tired of fighting for football in Argentina to become a family show, where...
everyone can go to the stadium and have fun, enjoy themselves and cheer for their team.
I do not want to diminish the passion real fans bring to the game, but i just want to ensure a safe environment for all wanting to attend.
When a few days ago a Deportivo La Coruña ultra was killed, after a fight between them and the Atlético Madrid “Frente Atlético” was arranged via social media prior to their game in the Spanish capital, an old problem resurfaced in Spain.
For many years, Spanish clubs have been working hard to detect, and evict problematic “fans” (most clubs, at least). Real Madrid has done a great job of it, so much so, that its President´s life, has become difficult through the threats that he has and keeps receiving from the punished people.
This new incident, has opened the eyes of the footballing family, and new stricter meassures have been discussed and are being arranged, in order to further dissipate doubts that zero tolerance is the only way.
Amongst the rules discussed and hoping to be implemented, it s that even songs or shouts containing insults and swear words, will be investigated and action against the culprits may be taken.
Obviously, it remains to be seen what is going to be considered an “offensive song or word”, but it is a positive reaction.
Things that Spain, and Europe in general see as unacceptable, unfortunately, in Argentina are rife.
Most if not all songs emanating from the terraces, are either discriminatory, racist, xenophobic, homophobic, insulting and there is this culture of acceptance that it is not bad to sing those choruses.
My problem with that is, that it affects everybody. People who are not racist or homophobic, get engulfed with the passion of the game and end up singing along with the ultras (barrabravas).
For example, there is a team associated with the jewish community (Atlanta), against whom songs naming atrocities that Hitler did and should have done are sung at all times and accepted as a “joke” by all.
Same happens against Boca, who are “accussed” (as if it was something really bad and deminishing) of being Bolivian (bolitas) or Paraguayan (paraguas)
Then songs against Brazil, refering to them as “black and gay” as if it was again a bad thing.
All songs include swear words, and i know it is difficult if not impossible to erradicate them all. But it is important to decide on what is accepted and what isn´t, and then act upon it.
Argentina´s violence in football, is chronic, and is based on the power that clubs, and politicians have given these barrabravas to do what they like, as long as they vote for them, or attend their electoral campaigns.
But the other problem we have in South America, is that the continental federation (CONMEBOL) is not as forceful and decisive like UEFA (even if many criticise the European Federation, they take measures to show resolve to eradicate the problem), in fact the opposite, it is very permissive and it turns a blind eye to everything.
I admire the way England sorted their hooliganism out, and how they are still relentless today in making sure that there is no going back to what it was.
Spain are now trying to do the same, so that they can look ahead to a brighter future.
Life dictates that it always take a tragedy to react, but we are now in front of a good opportunity to take notes and do as well or better than the rest.
It is time that Argentinian authorities pout some real effort to change the situation and make football the spectacle that it is meant to be,..if only....
I do not want to diminish the passion real fans bring to the game, but i just want to ensure a safe environment for all wanting to attend.
When a few days ago a Deportivo La Coruña ultra was killed, after a fight between them and the Atlético Madrid “Frente Atlético” was arranged via social media prior to their game in the Spanish capital, an old problem resurfaced in Spain.
For many years, Spanish clubs have been working hard to detect, and evict problematic “fans” (most clubs, at least). Real Madrid has done a great job of it, so much so, that its President´s life, has become difficult through the threats that he has and keeps receiving from the punished people.
This new incident, has opened the eyes of the footballing family, and new stricter meassures have been discussed and are being arranged, in order to further dissipate doubts that zero tolerance is the only way.
Amongst the rules discussed and hoping to be implemented, it s that even songs or shouts containing insults and swear words, will be investigated and action against the culprits may be taken.
Obviously, it remains to be seen what is going to be considered an “offensive song or word”, but it is a positive reaction.
Things that Spain, and Europe in general see as unacceptable, unfortunately, in Argentina are rife.
Most if not all songs emanating from the terraces, are either discriminatory, racist, xenophobic, homophobic, insulting and there is this culture of acceptance that it is not bad to sing those choruses.
My problem with that is, that it affects everybody. People who are not racist or homophobic, get engulfed with the passion of the game and end up singing along with the ultras (barrabravas).
For example, there is a team associated with the jewish community (Atlanta), against whom songs naming atrocities that Hitler did and should have done are sung at all times and accepted as a “joke” by all.
Same happens against Boca, who are “accussed” (as if it was something really bad and deminishing) of being Bolivian (bolitas) or Paraguayan (paraguas)
Then songs against Brazil, refering to them as “black and gay” as if it was again a bad thing.
All songs include swear words, and i know it is difficult if not impossible to erradicate them all. But it is important to decide on what is accepted and what isn´t, and then act upon it.
Argentina´s violence in football, is chronic, and is based on the power that clubs, and politicians have given these barrabravas to do what they like, as long as they vote for them, or attend their electoral campaigns.
But the other problem we have in South America, is that the continental federation (CONMEBOL) is not as forceful and decisive like UEFA (even if many criticise the European Federation, they take measures to show resolve to eradicate the problem), in fact the opposite, it is very permissive and it turns a blind eye to everything.
I admire the way England sorted their hooliganism out, and how they are still relentless today in making sure that there is no going back to what it was.
Spain are now trying to do the same, so that they can look ahead to a brighter future.
Life dictates that it always take a tragedy to react, but we are now in front of a good opportunity to take notes and do as well or better than the rest.
It is time that Argentinian authorities pout some real effort to change the situation and make football the spectacle that it is meant to be,..if only....