24/10/2020
Those who actually know me, will be aware that I'm not a fan of the game of football. Whilst I understand that it is a hugely popular sport, I just don't actually enjoy watching it.
I also find it quite a repugnant sport, in several areas. The worst aspects, in my opinion, are:
the ugliness shown by many of the fans; racist chants, threatening behaviour and violence amongst them; and
the disgraceful lack of respect shown by players, and sometimes coaching staff, towards referees and other match officials.
I remember chatting with a friend about football and he mentioned that he had once been arrested at a football match; completely without justification, in his opinion. When I pushed him for details as to what he was arrested for, he said that all he had been doing was singing a song. I asked for more information and he admitted that the 'song' he (and others) were shouting (not singing) was an extremely aggressive chant, threatening violence against the opposing team's fans. On further discussion, it became apparent that this was hours after the match had finished and, as a result of the crowds still outside the ground and their thuggish behaviour, the fans of the other team were being kept within the ground by the police.
This friend was a respected businessman, husband of a respected councillor, someone who was extremely respected in his community and who regularly undertook charitable acts and was recognised for his community service.
I can recall telling him that he deserved to be arrested and should have received both a large fine and a lifetime ban from attending football matches.
I also remember discussing the abuse that football players repeatedly throw at match officials with my father, who was an avid football fan. He defended it, saying that it was evidence of the passion they had for the game. He went so far as to say that players who didn't verbally threaten the referee probably shouldn't be playing the game.
I loved my father dearly, but really couldn't agree with him. If you look at rugby players and their on pitch behaviour, you could hardly claim they lack passion. And yet, when talking to the ref, they speak respectfully, usually calling them 'Sir' (assuming it's a male ref).
Many football 'stars' have appeared to me to be pretty unpleasant people; self-obsessed, greedy and lacking in moral fibre. I realise that this is rather a sweeping generalisation, but it is rare to hear of positive stories about such people.
So, I really am impressed with the character shown by Marcus Rashford. Having won a small victory earlier in the year, getting the free school dinners program extended beyond term time during the period of the lockdown period, he might have been forgiven for thinking he'd done his part and deciding to focus on himself and his own family.
However, he showed that he really is a decent, or even a fantastic, person by continuing to campaign for
COVID-19 has brought out the worst in so many people. Let's celebrate that fact that Marcus Rashford has shown us all how to demonstrate positivity in these difficult times.
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