This article was published at Alternative Right four years ago, at the time of the 2010 World Cup. Although the soccer references may be slightly dated, the points made are more relevant than ever.
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| Balotelli and banana. |
Soccer and the Campaign for Anti-Racism
by Colin Liddell
For most of those interested in it, the World Cup exists on two levels. First, there is the intense partisan connection that all supporters feel for their own national team—some of the deepest and occasionally darkest feelings known to man. Then there is the wider interest in the game—a more generous and objective love of the skills and stories generated by the competition, such as Germany's remarkable ability to destroy teams on the break, Diego Forlan's incredible shooting accuracy, Maradona's touchy- feely management style, and, of course, Paul the Octopus.
Typically the earlier stages of World Cups are experienced mainly on the first level, while in the latter stages—after most of the teams have been knocked out—supporters tend to broaden their appreciation and enjoy the game in a more general sense.
In my case, as the supporter of a country (Scotland) that failed even to qualify for the World Cup finals, my interest has been on the second level, except for a passing interest in seeing my country's traditional rival (England) knocked out—an aspiration that has thankfully come to pass.
Typically the earlier stages of World Cups are experienced mainly on the first level, while in the latter stages—after most of the teams have been knocked out—supporters tend to broaden their appreciation and enjoy the game in a more general sense.
In my case, as the supporter of a country (Scotland) that failed even to qualify for the World Cup finals, my interest has been on the second level, except for a passing interest in seeing my country's traditional rival (England) knocked out—an aspiration that has thankfully come to pass.
