Ignoring the ignoble, excusing the inexcusable, defending the indefensible « Untold Arsenal: Arsenal News. Supporting the Lord Wenger; coach of the decade
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By Domhuaille
I have been a Football fanatic since I first discovered the joys of the beautiful game in High School. At that time, the biggest sports, where I lived, did not include the world’s most most popular game. However many ¨foreigners¨ played, and it was identified with the expatriate community’s desire to keep their old-country roots alive. My increasing exposure to the beautiful game’s intricacies, subtleties and addictive power added to my steadily expanding passion for the sport and culminated in my taking up officiating (my less than sterling football skills, or lack thereof were also a factor).
In that time of naive innocence and blind infatuation with all things Football, I mistakenly assumed that the passion, caring and fanaticism I saw mirrored in other fans of the worldwide game were as noble as mine were.
That passion and fanaticism is a double-edged sword. Today, after a long and rewarding career as a coach, manager, player, administrator and finally official, it has become more and more apparent that the game I love and cherish is in serious trouble. The litany of the beautiful game’s flaws is herculean;
*FIFA and EUFA, once renowned and esteemed as the protectors and defenders of this sacred trust, have proven themselves to be corrupted, banal and insensitive to the Games pressing failings and their member nations needs and wishes, all the while boldly denying anything is wrong.
*Players who once proudly and loyally wore the jersey of their nation and/or club have allowed their greed, avarice and egos to eclipse these values. The incessant scandals and bizarre behaviour of many so-called ¨stars¨ shames the Game and demolishes the proud role models that prior generations so effectively represented.
* Too many of my fellow Gooners, who rubbed shoulders with each other, home and away, in avid support of AFC have recently begun to turn into a baying mob, crying for the manager’s, the Board members’ and some players” heads and viciously attacking anyone who dares to question their rancour and vitriol.
* The Bastion of credibility and equanimity that the family of referees represent is now unjustly and incessantly under siege from all sides. Almost every decision is questioned, many actions are judged and often harshly condemned in the media. Referees lives and characters are assailed, demeaned, threatened, diminished and denigrated by media hooligans and club supporters, who attribute vile motives to any calls given against their club or country.
* The semi-annual circus that is the transfer saga distorts and mocks the true value of a footballer and his relationship to his current club. A very select number of Big Clubs determine how transfers are arranged and how much a ¨star¨ is worth, irrespective of the reality and the resources available, aided and abetted by the agents, the players, their selling clubs and the aforementioned FIFA. Barcelona. for one, have made a mockery of this entire process.
* Finally, we, as lovers of the Game, all too often shake our heads and turn our backs on this degenerating and crass monetary prostitution that is infecting the very foundations of Football worldwide. We choose to ignore the ignoble, excuse the inexcusable and defend the indefensible in the deluded conviction that its all part of the ¨game¨ and modern life.
Professional Football lost its virginity when it became ¨entertainment¨ in the North American sense of the word and those people chosen to defend its honour and integrity sold theirs for power, money and access to those who hoard it. The amateur game is safe and flourishing worldwide but the professional version is headed for a train wreck. These numerous lacunae and others need to be addressed aggressively and forthrightly if this trend is to be arrested. Capable leaders need to be found and empowered to redress the errors and failings of the Beautiful Game.
The story of the last time something odd went on.
And some recent stories..,..
Transfer Targets: no one is risk free
A closer look at Gael Clichy reveals something rather unexpected
A quick look at the fixture list
Why the pessimists are mistaken
The Cesc transfer saga, how they lied to us – part 1
The Cesc transfer saga, how the media finally shut up – part 2