I feel I must start with an apology – or at least an explanation. How, at a time of such acute distress, can I be writing a piece about something as fundamentally trivial as football? I well remember the quote: “Some people believe football is a matter of life and death… I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.”
Well, there may be many who still believe this to be true. And there is no doubt as to the influence the football world has on its followers. That is why the actions of the national game are of importance and require critical attention.
It gives me no pleasure to clearly state that the top end of English football is increasingly driven by greed, commercialism, vested interests, posturing and double-standards. This is clearly apparent in the reaction to the murderous attack on Israel, including the torture and abuse of women and children.
The Football Association, Premier League and its clubs, have been conspicuously silent or tardy in condemning these atrocities. This is in stark contrast to their reaction to other tragedies over the last few years. For the FA chief executive to say, “We haven’t had that meeting yet” on Tuesday, and that its focus is elsewhere, is an insult.
The Royal Family, Government, Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition all managed to address this matter speedily and properly. The FA’s statement, finally issued on Thursday, has been dragged out of them. It is too late and has all the characteristics of a false apology.
I believe the terms racism and anti-Semitism are overused and somewhat devalued. The word prejudice is sometimes more appropriate. Prejudice takes many forms. One of the more insidious is prejudice by omission (PBO). In other words, prejudice by not doing something appropriate.
For many years, I and others have complained at the chanting of the Y-word by Tottenham Hotspur supporters, and at Spurs fans by some at other clubs. This is just not acceptable and would never be tolerated were it one of the deeply insulting words aimed at other minorities. But the double standards allows this behaviour to continue, with the clubs, football authorities and police unable, or unwilling, to deal with it.
The link between the handling of the Y-word challenge and football’s reaction to the catastrophe in Israel is quite clear. Some lives matter much more than others.
The so-called football family has turned its back on some of its own. Vested interests prevail. Prejudice reigns.
