This posting has nothing to do with the aesthetic elements of the sport. I don’t care if you think soccer players are the toughest players in the world (which I can argue, but on a different day), or if you consider them “sissies and gays.” Soccer is so much bigger than just a mere sport. It is so much more than just a mere game. And yes, I understand that I can make this claim for all sports. But with soccer, this claim becomes magnified, it becomes unique, and if you read on you will soon find out why.
Whether you love soccer or hate it, take the time to appreciate and respect how much the sport impacts the world, how it has roots in nationalistic, cultural and political conflicts, yet manages to unify a diverse world, bring fans together and establish new friendships.
Unlike American football, hockey, baseball or basketball, which requires a hoop, cement and a ball that actually bounces properly, soccer requires so little equipment to play. Just get a ball, or a soda can, or a rolled-up sock, and make a goal . . . a sneaker, a t-shirt, a book bag will do. Starving children in Africa and Asia play it to escape from their daily poverty and hopeless situations. Suburban rich American kids, driven by their “soccer moms,” play it for fun to socialize and to stay active. The 2006 World Cup alone, was watched by more than a billion people. An amazing feat, considering that more than half of humans in this world do not even own a television set.
Whatever one’s differences are, watching a soccer match can bridge distinct groups together. Iran, coached by an Iranian American no less, plays against the U.S. in the World Cup. Palestinian Arabs score goals for the Israeli National Team during key World Cup qualification races. North Korea comes out of isolation to play in the World Cup. We have truly come a long way in unifying people through the love of the “beautiful game.” Soccer even has the ability to temporarily stop wars. On Christmas Eve in World War I, the French, British and the Germans laid down their arms and played a match. As a result, this experience created such a stirring effect on the enemy’s humanity that it took generals from both sides weeks to instill a fighting spirit back into their troops to motivate them to continue fighting and killing each other.
Only a couple of days ago, yet another tragedy struck the soccer world. Bolton’s player, Fabrice Muamba, collapsed on the field during the game with an unknown heart defect. When his heart could not be revived on the field, the game was cancelled . . . despite the fact that Bolton is a mere point above relegation and that their opponent, Tottenham Hotspur, is in a close fight for qualifying for next season’s Champions League. Bolton’s manager went into the ambulance and into the hospital with his injured player. Bolton’s next game was postponed indefinitely, with the permission of their next scheduled opponent, Aston Villa.
Reaction around the soccer community was remarkable. One player for Juventus, Andres Pirlo, dedicated the goal that he scored for Muamba. Another, Chelsea’s Gary Cahill, revealed a shirt that said “Pray for Muamba” after scoring a goal; even though taking off shirts is an automatic yellow card, the referee did not issue one. Real Madrid’s whole team wore jerseys, half of which said “Get Well Soon, Muamba,” and the other half saying “Animo [get well] Abidal” (Abidal plays for FC Barcelona, the Real Madrid’s bitter rival, and he is getting a liver transplant).
Nelson Mandela once said, “Sport can create hope, where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of all types of discrimination.”
Soccer patches up our differences by admiring and respecting an individual for his or her soccer skills. Indeed, some of the major organizations against racism are led by soccer players. Barcelona and French National team striker Thierry Henry has teamed up with Nike to start “Stand Up, Speak Up,” an organization against racism, in which several prominent players made an appearance. At the Euro 2008 semifinals, each team captain spoke out against racism. England has worn bands against racism during some of its matches, and Holland, Portugal and Russia have recently given up their team colors for a match and instead wore black and white jerseys to highlight their resistance to bigotry. What other sport does so much to fight bigotry? What sport takes such public stands against hatred, universally supported by the majority of not only clubs and countries, but also players?
-Gary Gorny
CAS/SMG 2011
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A few typos: Andrea Pirlo (not Andres), “Ánimo Abidal” (with the accent) and it’s simply “Real Madrid” (not “the Real Madrid”).
In any case, a good article about the sport I love most.
Soccer is the first step to getting admittance to the Acting fraternity. It appeals to many because it is simple to play, no skills required.
Soccer is the first step to getting admittance to the Acting fraternity. It appeals to many because it is simple to play, no skills required.
I’ll tell ya what… If it’s so easy to play, Ted Thorne, I have abet for you. Play a professional soccer player, or even …any girl on the BU Vrasity Team, 1-1, 90 minutes. No timeouts, just one 15 minute break after 45 minutes. If you beat this person, I shall personally give you $1,000. But if you lose, you must give me $1,000.
Deal?