Is soccer like that? – Jorge Garris Mozota
The long-awaited match between Spain and Morocco lastly arrived, which ended as many people thought with the defeat of Spain; sure, on penalties, which thus appears to be extra the results of likelihood than the rest, however everyone knows that it really isn’t only a matter of luck.
The standard and topical phrases of the group that loses a recreation, nearly at all times by the voice of their coach, are these of “soccer is like that”, “we deserved to win”, “we had extra alternatives”, “we had dangerous refereeing” and different mandatory excuses to take away duties. However however this time it was completely different, and I’m not going to breed the phrases of the till now coach of the nationwide group, referred to as by some “the crimson one”, with the subliminal intention of linking it to this or that political choice, unaware that the crimson shade has been the one which has at all times represented the Spanish troops from the tercios; that’s, centuries in the past and lengthy earlier than sure ideologies appeared.
Many will say that it’s only a soccer match, that it doesn’t have an effect on relations between residents or between nations in any respect, however for a few years, soccer has been way more than a sport; Because of this, along with the nationwide anthems, to which by the way in which respect ought to be proven, to all with out exception, heads of state, presidents of presidency and different political and sports activities authorities attend.
Soccer, bread and circus for the lots, can be the preferred sport that emulates the battles between armies of a lifetime; the ways, the factions, the songs, the person actions, and so on., every part appears to precise the better or lesser energy of a rustic.
And whether or not we prefer it or not, that is so. When a rustic doesn’t have a excessive self-awareness and appreciation of itself, when nationwide identities are tried to be erased or lowered to the minimal expression, when it isn’t very clear for whom and for whom it’s performed, and it’s understood {that a} soccer group shaped by nationalized foreigners, generally nearly all of its gamers, is identical because the one shaped by natives, every part finally ends up being nonsense. We’ve got examples on this World Cup as in different competitions, there are disciplined, ready and motivated groups, and others aren’t.
Soccer, in worldwide and world competitions with nationwide groups, has at all times been supposed to be an illustration of id, unity and energy, and simply because the leaders have used it for this, they’ll additionally use it to convey weak spot, sorrow and defeatism. Because of this, in latest days, so many Africans have taken to the streets to rejoice the victory of Morocco and, in some instances, insult Spain and the Spanish, particularly by vociferous younger individuals within the warmth of their quite a few gangs.
It was just one match, nevertheless it was performed on a big day for a lot of Spaniards and at a crucial time when every part appears to be happening the drain in a short time. The information, the victories, the deeds, the defeats, the humiliations, all of this influences the collective temper.
