Football in Canada exists on a smaller scale than the rest of the world. Football or soccer as it is referred to by North Americans is without doubt the most popular sport in the world. However the game is not strongly rooted in Canada, most Canadians are more interest in Hockey, the countries unofficial national sport.
Why is this? Surely the cost of enrolling into a soccer league is not the issue; it is one of the cheapest sports play. Perhaps because Canadians are not dominant in Football they are ignorant towards the sport. Nations with a deeply rooted Football history such as England, Italy and Spain have leagues and teams that have been established for more than a century! The tradition, rivalry and passion have been passed down through many generations.
Major League Soccer (MLS) is North America’s professional soccer league; the caliber of play is not as high as top flight leagues in Europe, but it has given Football the attention it needs to grow in North America. Canada was recently granted a franchise, the Toronto Football Club (TFC) it has been a hit among Torontonians, sell out crowds of diehard fans are not an unlikely sight at BMO field (Home field of TFC) Youth development programs have been implemented on behalf of the club in an attempt to develop the sport in Canada from a grass root level. These are positive signs that indicate Football In Canada is in fact growing.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Football Hooliganism
Football hooliganism has existed long before the sport became organized. The earliest forms were sporadic bursts usually targeted towards referees and authority. Since the 1960's, there has been intensive growth in organized hooliganism amongst British supporters. This trend gradually spread across many European nations especially Italy, Holland and Germany. By the early to mid-1970s, the major European teams had extremist supporters producing intense and persistent club rivalries. Club teams experience more support due to their localized disposition. Fans believe that regional clubs "represent" them more intimately. Notable rivalries include: Millwall vs. West-Ham United, Celtic vs. Rangers and Boca Juniors vs. River Plate. On the international stage, feuds are usually fuelled by concurrent political issues. The most prevalent rivalries include England vs. Argentina, Brazil vs. Argentina, Scotland vs. England and Mexico vs. Honduras.
During the mid-1980s, Italian Ultras (ultra fans) pioneered what was considered to be fanatical or hooligan support. Their organized theatrical (often illegal) methods involve chanting, displaying massive banners, breaking seats, fireworks, smoke bombs and even releasing small explosives, were all done at pivotal points of a match. Ultras would transform matches into spectacles but at times their behaviour would advance to violence. Many clubs have been penalized for the violent actions of their hooligan supporters, whether it paying a fine or having points deducted in certain competitions. Most nations have strict security measures which have reduced hooliganism outside of the stadium, yet it still exist.
Hooligan groups are driven by various motives. Some express neo-Nazi and racist tendencies, frequently done to shock the enemy team and to produce a more hostile environment. With the World Cup being played in South Africa this June there is a possibility of hooliganism, but extreme precaution is being taken. Regardless of the individuals or organizations reasoning for engaging in this act it is barbaric, and therefore has football hooliganism has no place in any aspect of the beautiful game.
During the mid-1980s, Italian Ultras (ultra fans) pioneered what was considered to be fanatical or hooligan support. Their organized theatrical (often illegal) methods involve chanting, displaying massive banners, breaking seats, fireworks, smoke bombs and even releasing small explosives, were all done at pivotal points of a match. Ultras would transform matches into spectacles but at times their behaviour would advance to violence. Many clubs have been penalized for the violent actions of their hooligan supporters, whether it paying a fine or having points deducted in certain competitions. Most nations have strict security measures which have reduced hooliganism outside of the stadium, yet it still exist.
Hooligan groups are driven by various motives. Some express neo-Nazi and racist tendencies, frequently done to shock the enemy team and to produce a more hostile environment. With the World Cup being played in South Africa this June there is a possibility of hooliganism, but extreme precaution is being taken. Regardless of the individuals or organizations reasoning for engaging in this act it is barbaric, and therefore has football hooliganism has no place in any aspect of the beautiful game.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Racism in European Football
Racism in European Football has been a lingering issue within the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) for quite some time. It appears to have become more prevalent in recent years as more non European players, mostly African, have made their way to Europe to play in the world’s most prestigious leagues.
The ridicule the non European footballers face is not only wrong and unjust, but worst part about it is that the abuse is coming from their own so called supporters! These non European players are constantly bombarded with racist chants, animal sounds, and antics such as throwing bananas on to the pitch, as they consider these non european players to be monkeys. The local supporters dishing out the abuse on foregin players have associated themselves with a particular football club for years and tend to have a Eurocentric attitude; they believe Europeans are the best footballers, and therefore only players of European descent should be allowed to play for professional football in their country
FIFA's governing body has implemented anti-racism campaigns in an attempt to eliminate the problem from European Football. In some instances, fans have been banned from specific matches and teams are forced to play "behind closed doors". Some player’s have even launched their own independent campaigns protesting against racism in European Football, but to no avail. It is truly a shame that the "beautiful game" is under scrutiny for an issue that should not be an issue at all, racism in European Football.
The ridicule the non European footballers face is not only wrong and unjust, but worst part about it is that the abuse is coming from their own so called supporters! These non European players are constantly bombarded with racist chants, animal sounds, and antics such as throwing bananas on to the pitch, as they consider these non european players to be monkeys. The local supporters dishing out the abuse on foregin players have associated themselves with a particular football club for years and tend to have a Eurocentric attitude; they believe Europeans are the best footballers, and therefore only players of European descent should be allowed to play for professional football in their country
FIFA's governing body has implemented anti-racism campaigns in an attempt to eliminate the problem from European Football. In some instances, fans have been banned from specific matches and teams are forced to play "behind closed doors". Some player’s have even launched their own independent campaigns protesting against racism in European Football, but to no avail. It is truly a shame that the "beautiful game" is under scrutiny for an issue that should not be an issue at all, racism in European Football.
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