Connecting the A-League to events in Paris is the biggest example of a crazed imagination in Australia since Bouncer’s dream sequence in Neighbours.
At least that was tongue-in-cheek (at least, you would hope so). Alan Jones’ tongue may not be in his cheek but equally does not seem to be anywhere near a brain.
I wrote before that I feel sorry for Australian football fans. Perhaps some are over-sensitive and paranoid but that does not mean people are not out to get them, or at least so it seems.
Growing up in England in the eighties even the low point really wasn’t that bad. The vast majority of the time the scariest thing were the mullets and the tight shorts.
The non-sporting media was often none too complimentary but despite some revisionist accounts on the life of an English football supporter which would have Ivan Denisovich choosing to stay in his gulag rather than venture into a stadium, football was still easily the number one sport, just not as overwhelmingly dominant as it is now.
Other places I have called home have been different. In India, football – at least local football – was pretty much ignored. In Malaysia it’s a big deal and in South Korea there is some rivalry between football and baseball. Fans of the former believe, with some justification, that baseball enjoys an overly cosy relationship with the heads of the major media companies and especially broadcasting networks but it’s all pretty tame – at least compared to Australia.
Talking to Simon Hill a few weeks ago, he mentioned the Twitter account of Malcolm Conn, communication manager for Cricket Australia NSW.
I usually like people called Malcolm, and I like cricket, but he does have a penchant for tweets that, it can only be assumed, try to show football in a negative light. To me, it just comes across as unprofessional and is surely counter-productive. Cricket, a game with a rich history, deserves better than to be made to look so petty and small-minded.
And perhaps that is the solace to take from these episodes. People who are obviously out to put football down don’t do themselves any favours, at least with those that don’t already have a beef with the beautiful game.
I don’t really see the point in getting involved. It must be hard to take but surely at least some of the point of such articles as the one printed in the Daily Telegraph are to stir things up, be controversial and get football fans frothing at the mouth. And then the headlines become self-fulfilling prophecies when the FFA is issuing media releases asking fans not to issue death threats.
I see talk of code wars. If so, then they say in war that you should usually do the very thing that the enemy doesn’t want. Don’t engage. Otherwise it’s a counter-productive cycle of a critical article, a furious response, comparisons with other sports and then endless bickering during which few emerge looking good.
It’s a little contradictory to write an article saying that the best policy is to ignore the attacks – at least the ones that are obviously attacks – but there is a saying in China that a dog doesn’t turn around when a chicken squawks. Football can rise above.
If there are inaccuracies, lies or libelous material, these should be dealt with but other than that why give them the satisfaction? That doesn’t mean there should not be an alternative message put forward and it is important that the football media and the fans do exactly that but that does not need to involve getting involved with those who are obviously itching to get involved.
So when people say truly mad things like linking the A-League to Paris then they are either beyond help, stirring the pot or both. Whatever, they deserved to be ignored.
theBird
Guest
Was that astute poster me?
mattyb
Guest
Yep they all do.
Brian
Guest
Apparantly
PeteW
Guest
Bouncer's dream sequence reminds me of Charlie the wondering with Bud Tingel plus the piss weak kids. They certainly don't make TV in the digital day like they did in the old analogue days!
marron
Roar Guru
Memories... can't spot myself but was right about in this spot. https://youtube.com/watch?v=t9JsEBfZuAI
marron
Roar Guru
He didn't personally attack Wilson either so it's not playing the man to deflect anything. Why shouldn't he try to present a more accurate picture of what's going in when faced with hyperbole and misrepresentation?
marron
Roar Guru
That's the decision of the powers that be at the AFL. There is a place for all those things in modern sport. The concerns you have about blocking people's views are easily dealt with. Ts and cs if an active support ticket make it clear you might have an obstructed view. Germany is the prime example of a league where your mainstream fans can have all their comfort and those who want something else that more active support provides get it too, safely as well. The umbrellas in a small way highlight some of the issues. They were being used as de facto flags/banners. If you look at photos from the wanderers first season, including the grand final, you can see some. They're very common in south America. As per above, nobody was complaining, about views or about getting dripped on. But the authorities banned them. They'd never been used as weapons. But all that was seen is something that doesn't fit with what is usually allowed in sedate australian crowds. Probably the same justifications were used that you just did, even though not a single one was actually an issue. There doesn't need to be a removal of these things because the stadia are new or because general consumption patterns have changed. Having the best of both worlds is more than possible. All it requires is some common sense and understanding - which we are not getting a lot of the time. And it benefits all. We get a unique vibrant atmosphere but not at the risk of "mainstream" spectators safety or comfort.
Roy
Guest
Well, I'm sorry but thanks for nothing marron ! With statements like : "Don’t forget news have an agreement with the afl... " ; "I’ve got no idea if Wilson is a part of that coverage ..." ; "... means you get some access etc in return for doing some pr stuff doesn’t it." doesn't clarify anything and only adds to the obfuscation ! And Fuss, I am well aware of "cash for comment" - not something that any self respecting news organisation/news reporter would readily admit too - if the "cash" is hidden and the "comment" passed off as un-biased journalism. So, at the end of all this, I'm still in the dark re. details of her "ambassadorship" - apart from her being an employee of Newscorp and Newscorps editorial policy.
rasty
Guest
Mate that place looks horrible. Concrete jungle! Keep it.
Perry Bridge
Guest
notice the rookie draft this year saw 3 more Sudanese boys drafted in. And 2 of those lads from Queensland.
Perry Bridge
Guest
#marron I agree in many respects - and similarly when we have Sri Lanka or the West Indies tour here in cricket we love it if there's some cultural representation in the crowds - however - sadly in many ways, the concrete and plastic stadia we play in, bereft of grassy hills and open terraces - renders many things to the past. That's sadly just the way it is. That umbrella's have been banned at the AFL for many years now was related to a few issues - 1. the ability to use as a weapon, 2. that when up, the flow water onto other patrons and 3. when up the obscure the view of other patrons. Flags etc should be fine - but again, even at AFL matches you want to not be obstructing the view of other fans so we only really wave flags to celebrate a goal or to try to distract an opposition player lining up for goal. Big banners seem frowned upon these days - especially if perhaps inflammatory in nature and certainly a frowned upon if draped over signage. Likewise the old 'floggers' can't be left on the ground side of the fence anymore. Much of that is again - based on the stadia we play in these days - the 'mainstream' stadia with 'mainstream' corporate sponsorship etc. It's not all as we'd prefer it to be for the supporter experience - but - on a wet and miserable winters eve in Melbourne as we sit inside at Docklands stadium we can at least take consolation in it putting a roof over our heads!!!
Perry Bridge
Guest
#marron Okay - so, if he's (Simon Hill) is not defending the flares and violence. So what is he defending? Perhaps attempting to deflect the issue simply on the basis of the messenger rather than the message?
Perry Bridge
Guest
#Punter I do become concerned that you keep trying to bring the AFL into this.
Kirk
Guest
Are you sure? compared to the percentage of indigenous people in country the NRL and AFL have a very high representation. Go look at the QLD origin line up over the past 10 years, its full of them.
Punter
Guest
I wouldn't say you are genuine sports fans, you spend a lot of time in the football tab, both of you, spending 80% of your time talking up the AFL, defending the AFL, belittling football & the A-League. That is not a sports fan, that's AFL fan more concerned about being against something then for something..
peeeko
Roar Guru
very rarely
peeeko
Roar Guru
this is a good response as was Simon hills the other day. much better than the stuff we see from Craig Foster wose arrogant and self righteous tone helps no one i especially liked the line Growing up in England in the eighties even the low point really wasn’t that bad. The vast majority of the time the scariest thing were the mullets and the tight shorts.
peeeko
Roar Guru
yes it is. plentyo f the australian team are indigenous. i think they comprise 13% f the NRl
Lionheart
Guest
Commentator? I don't think any commentator is involved. If you mean Rebecca Wilson, she's not a commentator, is not the victim here, should have expected a backlash, and should leave it to the police to address any death threats. Why would she be so outspoken on death threats to her? In my experience and training, these matters are best dealt with in a quiet and calm environment, not in public.
Lionheart
Guest
AFL & NRL have a very high percentage of indigenous footballers. That's just not true.