The game in Britain has been marred this week by actions from supporters. Adults who wouldn’t think twice about behaving in this manner at their place of work or out shopping continue to think being inside a stadium for 90 minutes gives them a right to act like a different person.
What is scary, is that in 2018 there are those who still find grey areas in terms of coins being thrown or pitch invasions. In terms of the incident in the SPL in midweek, Neil Lennon is being questioned if he brought it on himself? Maybe if he didn’t celebrate? Maybe if he stopped all banter? Maybe if he sat down in away games? With the benefit of hindsight there’s always things you can do to prevent a situation. My fear is by doing that you’re giving an excuse /justifying a criminal act. That’s how black and white it is.
If a police officer caught you throwing an object at another person, you would be arrested, saying that individual was winding you up is not going to make a difference. For the education of youngsters, it’s crucial they see the majority have a zero policy to this type of behaviour. Forget kids, clearly grown men and women also need to be educated.
How many problems have there now been at the London Stadium? On radio phone ins and on social media, West Ham blame the stewarding, their owners, even how their own players react to pitch invasions. At what point do any of those Hammers look in the mirror and question themselves?
Sure, Neil Lennon would be safer if he stayed out of view. Jose, Klopp, Conte, etc could be accused of provoking fans the way they celebrate? Mike Ashly wouldn’t get verbally abused if he stayed away? Maybe Zaha should cut out diving to avoid being threatened on the Internet? Or maybe fans should get some perspective?
If Salah scored in the 90th min tomorrow, I’m not going too appreciate him running to my seat to rub it in….. yet it wouldn’t enter my head to break the law. Because I’m an adult and, there are numerous examples in the week where things don’t go my way or wind me up. Someone pushes in the queue? I’m not allowed to hit him over the head with my shopping basket? I read some comments recently that concerning the abuse Zaha has suffered on Twitter it couldn’t be any gooners because we are not like that. Grow up ….
Zaha wrote: “For all the people taking it one step further and being racist and wishing death on my family I wish you and your families the best too x p.s my life is still very good despite your hate.”
The Crystal palace winger hasn’t specified what fans he thinks the messages are coming from. That won’t concern him, his family or our legal system.
Cut out the tribalism. What colour shirt you choose to wear doesn’t make your values unique. Life is still about right and wrong. We need to educate all fans on that.
Dan Smith