However fanatical you are about the sport, it’s not more important than life. It should never be prioritised over other human beings and their right to feel physically and emotionally safe.
That ought to be the standard, but sadly, I’m not sure that reflects reality.
This week on social media, more attention has been given to discussing VAR than the allegations made against the crowd at the Manchester Derby.
Debates have emerged accusing officials of corruption, while comparatively little has been said about the chants directed at Phil Foden.
The irony is lost on some prominent YouTubers, who happen to support Manchester United, choosing to complain more about referees being biased than about Jack Grealish being slapped by a spectator.
This is precisely why content creators will never be regarded as journalists. They may claim that it’s the mainstream media feeling threatened or looking down on fan channels.
The truth is, while the BBC will report that a 20-year-old has been charged with assault, or Sky Sports will ask Pep Guardiola what he heard, the internet can generate headlines through conspiracy theories regardless of evidence or credibility.
The difference is that we can hear the songs sung last Sunday, and Greater Manchester Police have confirmed that Grealish was allegedly struck.
Shouldn’t that take precedence over something that can’t be proven?
It’s a sad reflection of society that such incidents, which once would have dominated the week’s talking points, are now no longer shocking.
They’re not accepted, but they’ve become so frequent that the public has almost become immune to these cowards.
Let me stress: Old Trafford happened to be the location on this occasion, but this article is not directed at any single club.
It’s been a long-standing issue across the UK—grown men and women behaving however they please within the supposed safety of their football bubble.
Some of them probably go to work and wouldn’t dare utter the things they shout on a match day.
I’m an avid Gooner. Arsenal are my greatest comfort and were my escape growing up.
I write regularly for this site. I even have a canvas of Thierry Henry in my kitchen!
But I’ve never stood at the Emirates and felt compelled to chant about someone’s family.
Arsenal have gone 21 years without winning a title—so it’s not like I’m unfamiliar with disappointment. Yet never once have I had the urge to physically or verbally attack someone.
But then, I’m educated.
I firmly believe this country must adopt zero tolerance towards this behaviour.
If found guilty, this young man should face a lengthy prison sentence, and his details should be made public so that his employer and loved ones know the kind of person he is.
We need to protect the next generation and teach them how to support properly.
They must learn that actions have consequences.
Too often, the world obsesses over nonsense and ignores the issues that truly matter.
If we genuinely want to improve the game, then stop worrying about officiating.
Worry about a fan striking a player, or a player hearing abusive chants about his mum.
What’s more important?
A referee making an incorrect decision—or a human being being mistreated?
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Great Article Dan.
Very important message
Yes. Some so called “fans” can be horrible. Football is about having fun for everyone and abusing both players and other fans is terrible
We need to have zero tolerance to this as you said.
Common decency would suggest that however one may be upset with a players performance, criticism stops there. Physical violence against player or slander against player’s family is an immoral no go zone. I think we had the situation with Xhaka’s wife receiving threats during his time at Arsenal. I was never a fan of his football but that type of behavior was totally disgusting.Get a life.
Football is not just any game, the minority who trys to tarnish the sport like that young man should indeed face a lengthy sentence, curupt oficials too should face some form of penalties than just a slap on the risk
Football in my opinion extends beyond mere entertainmen, Its a team sport that foster team work, discipline and resilience , it can also serves as a unifying force, bringing people together from diverse backgrounds, have live in country where this is the sport often use to unify groups of people at odds with each other.
The beautiful game as the one we watched on Tuesday night, has become a global phenomenon, with leagues and teams in countries across the world, As a direct result football has played a significant role in the process of globalization.
So whether you are a die hearted or a causal spectator, there is always something new to learn about the beautiful game,
Yeah.
Football is just a game because Arsenal won.
Hmmm
Most of those fans wouldn’t chant what they do in games if they were in their work place. Yes.
They are hooligans.
And most of those referees wouldn’t do what they do in games if they actually worked in their work place. True.
Thieves they are.
As for which is more important:
“A referee making an incorrect decision—or a human being being mistreated?”
I don’t have a photo of Mike Riley and Howard Webb on my wall.
I am an avid gooner . . .
A referee making an incorrect decision is humans being mistreated.
Safety for everyone should be the priority the Players, Supporters, Referees, Security, etc.
But also we need to understand football is more than just a game, a lot is at stake. It has the power to unite the whole country at times, for example the Springboks of South Africa (rugby). So the powers that be and the officials (Referees) need to be fair at all times, and the corrupt ones need to face the consequences.
There’s just no place for hooligans
I work with people where I see all kinds
Allot worse things go on in their life than their football team winning or losing
Trust me , there are people getting news today , having treatment where football very much is just a game
They are small people with even smaller brains. Low life.
Dan what a good article by your good self.
Now I know that football is important to us as fans of course it is. But it does amaze me how a football result can have such negative affects on certain fans. Yes it’s disappointing to lose, but to then let it ruin the rest of your weekend is mind boggling to be honest.
Some of the hate in the faces in the picture you show towards Havertz is truly sad in my opinion. Is this what football has become, a vehicle for such vile hatred between opposing fans. Now I’m no fan of Havertz, but I would certainly not abuse him or any other player for that matter.
I know that football is tribal to a certain extent, and there’s a lot of banter between fans, which is a perfectly good thing. But when it crosses the line to verbally attacking fellow fans or players and their family’s, then that completely crosses the line and needs to be dealt with by the appropriate authorities.
Just go and watch the game in whatever form and enjoy, but don’t then ruin it all by behaving in such a manner.
Football is there to be enjoyed, do just that and enjoy it for goodness sake.👍😉
“their right to feel physically and emotionally safe.”
When did people gain the *right* to feel emotionally safe? This sort of phrase gets thrown about and rarely challenged, and I don’t understand why. No one has this right because, among other reasons, everyone is different, and I can’t necessarily help if something I say offends you, any more than you can help if something you say offends me. I can also claim to be upset by practically any opinion someone gives because it makes me feel “unsafe”, whether that’s true or not – so how can that be fair? Beyond that, enabling this to be legislated simply gives more power to the government and police who can decide who we go after, and continue broadening the range of things they can use against people – not a good idea.
Physical abuse is assault and isn’t allowed and obviously shouldn’t be.
I would agree people have the right not to be physically assaulted, but don’t have the right to feel safe – how can they have a right to a feeling? Doesn’t make sense
That shows your lack of understanding mate
There are various forms of abuse
So you can physically abused as in someone hits you
Or emotionally abused as in someone chants something about your family
That’s the whole point . You should be able to feel safe at a football ground , like children should feel safe to play outside or it should be safe to walk home at night
Fact that’s alien to you means society has let you down
I do understand your meaning and can agree that’s desirable, I’m rejecting your calling it a right as I can’t control how another person feels (I can feel unsafe walking the street – doesn’t mean it’s a logical fear), and rights imply legislation. Just look at what they do and are planning to do in countries like China. Give an inch on speech and they take a mile, and unfortunately we’ve already given more than that inch in the UK.
And I find it very hard to believe people can decide to do something where they will become famous like top level football, and expect to have no negative or even abusive words come their way. It’s beyond naive and the only solutions are to grow thick skin/ignore it, or do something else.
Yes and there’s literally legislation in place
Go read the Huma rights Act and Equality and Diversity Act , any kind of Safeguarding act
You literally have a right to go to a stadium and feel safe hence why let’s say the Emirates , they will get inspected in that their stadium provides that
Hence why when that doesn’t happen clubs get fined , supporters charged , etc
I see the phrase “right to feel safe” when looking that up specifically, but nothing I’ve seen in the text actually protects it as a right, because it’s not possible. They say people have the right not to be abused, or not to be discriminated against in various ways, which I suppose is a means towards the ends of “feeling safe”, but feeling safe can never be guaranteed because of those rights.
I do also see freedom of expression as a human right, though – but they seemingly interpret that how they wish because it’s not feasible to allow freedom of expression and not allow things to be said that some people find offensive and “make them feel unsafe”. The two don’t work together – so the actual right is subservient to the perceived right, in effect…
I won’t defend other people’s interpretations (including governments – like I said, we’ve already let the cat out the bag) – but simply put, it’s not possible to make everyone feel safe, so how can that be a right?
The human right to feel safe is a fundamental principle, encompassing the right to be free from physical and psychological harm, as well as feeling respected and valued. This right is protected by international and national laws, such as the Human Rights Act 1998 in the UK, and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. It includes protection from torture, inhuman or degrading treatment, and ensures access to a safe environment and adequate support for those at risk.
So it’s legally a right
Doesn’t matter if you disagree – that’s on you
It’s fluffy nonsense, Dan. Like I said, if freedom of expression is a right, and that means having to hear things people don’t like, it all falls down. Someone’s rights must be infringed.
It’s also not a right, it’s a principle, like you said, so not covered by law. All the stuff around it is, but you can’t ensure everyone feels safe, respected and valued – people don’t work like that and neither does the law, it simply can’t.
The Human right law is a ….law lol
Fluffy nonsense?
Okay I think I’ll stop this debate for you own sake
Our moral compass is very different clearly
I can ensure you freedom of expression does not give you the right to chant whatever you like
There are laws against it both legally and in Footballs own laws
I’ll leave it there because I’m worried why you seem so keen to defend the right to chant what you want and for people not to feel safe
That’s fine but notice I’ve only made points on principle (something being called “human rights” doesn’t automatically make it a good btw, ministry of truth and all that), whereas you are implying bad things about my character which makes me feel degraded and unsafe 😂
On freedom of expression – the law shouldn’t prevent the chanting, because that is infringement on freedom of expression (which literally is a human right!). The clubs probably should for their own sake, and they can make a moral argument, or a financial one, or wherever they like. But they couldn’t fine or imprison people for the things they say, only prevent them from coming in, which is fine.
I think racial chanting , tragedy chanting , any chanting that is discrimination your find laws on them
Laws are literally being brought in as well to crack down on this
You not agreeing that human rights is good doesn’t matter , it’s the law , not what you agree with
It might be bewildering to you but some have been practicing that for a long time.
I am in authority: my desire is law; my fantasy is principle; and my words are fact and truth.
That syndrome!
And so: if I feel you are wrong – you are wrong.
The right to feel safe is the reason The PGMOL, for instance, will back their clowns.
You can’t deny the destruction when the beneficiaries brag about it.
Having more of such laws is certainly financially beneficial to a certain entities . . .
So — expect more and more and more emotional dribble attempts, unfortunately.
Be on guard.
Football microscopally mirroring the deceits of the larger world.
We move nonetheless.
Wow Dan! Once again fantastic observation and education for the who listens. The golden rules of any religion I presume also teach us to treat and comfort others in the way we would like to be treated. My observation in different sporting events is some people are cowards when alone but in the companion of others as in the stadium they suddenly turn out to be ‘brave’ and dare devils. What compounded the problem is the measures taken are little hence do not have deterrent effect. If you see the problem from the side of what you call BAME people it gets worse to say the least. Putting ourselves in others shoes before we utter words or do certain things helps us to feel human. Some words have far reaching consequences like insulting the whole family or race of the player. Dan thanks!
Cheers mate