Perhaps it was fitting that an own goal settled an all-British affair at Euro 2016, since the voters of Britain have just scored a political own goal of historic proportions.
The Round of 16 clash between Wales and Northern Ireland at the picturesque Parc des Princes was always likely to be keenly fought, what with it being the first time two home nations had ever met in the knock-out stages of a major tournament.
But when the good burghers of Britain voted – inexplicably – to exit the European Union on Friday, the encounter between two of UEFA’s smaller footballing nations took on new political overtones.
The match started with the Northern Ireland players bellowing out God Save The Queen – ironically the anthem of rivals England, which barely 48 hours earlier had defied the Northern Irish at the ballot box.
Without delving into Northern Ireland’s fractured political past, it’s a wonder the players didn’t have a pre-game meeting to suggest an anthem which actually represents the constituents of their state.
Make no mistake, after the citizens of Northern Ireland and Scotland voted to remain in the European Union, you can remove the word ‘United’ from the term United Kingdom.
There is no longer such a thing, and one of the inevitable consequences of the Brexit campaign will be the eventual dissolution of the UK.
If it’s good enough for the home nations to stand alone in international football – a long-standing consequence of the British Home Championship kicking off as long ago as 1883 – then there’s no real reason for a country like Scotland to remain part of a nation-state which ignores its political will.
The Scots will eventually leave the UK, the two separate Irish states may well have a get-together to discuss a potential unification, and the English – the majority of whom have just voted to potentially kick-start a recession – may well rue departed prime minister David Cameron’s decision to go to the polls in the first place.
There are some who argue that politics and sport don’t mix, yet such a suggestion is an obvious fallacy.
To borrow a phrase from the mischievous British – sorry, English – comedian Ricky Gervais, “politics is everywhere!”
Politics helps explain why Russian hooligans turned up at the tournament en masse, it’s the reason Croatian coach Ante Cacic labelled some of his own supporters “sports terrorists,” and also why Iceland – whose government plunged millions of krona into grassroots football – are the tournament’s surprise package.
There’s a delicious irony to the fact that the final of Euro 2020 will supposedly be held at Wembley Stadium in London.
Not content with diluting the quality of the new 24-team European Championship finals, the next edition of the tournament will be hosted across several different nations.
The whole idea was the grand plan of disgraced UEFA president Michel Platini – now banned from football – who decided a one-off event to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the European Championships was a wonderful way to celebrate European unity.
Some unity! Now the final of the next European Championship is scheduled to be played in the capital city of a nation which just voted to leave the European Union.
The whole thing is a political nightmare of indescribable proportions, orchestrated by a country whose wealthy English Premier League could be about to lose much of its lustre.
And if there’s a lesson for us down here in Australia, it is surely that the political fate of our own country can no longer be tied to the United Kingdom – we must become a republic.
The actual football on display in Euro 2016 hasn’t been great, and as is so often the case, much of the tournament’s intrigue comes from activities off the pitch.
We should enjoy the competition we’ve got though, because come 2020, European football could have a very different look to it indeed.
David
Guest
Telling some in NI that they are not British would be brave :)
David
Guest
Some have been queueing for Irish passports...
David
Guest
> not exactly being keen to promote the idea of being rewarded for separation by being welcomed straight into the fold. Maybe, but this time they would be becoming independent to remain in the Euro, not to leave the UK. They are fighting for the status quo if you like. They could argue rUK is leaving them. That difference may be enough to placate Spain et al and the standing ovation in the European parliament suggests they have many on their side.
David
Guest
> how can they be allowed to compete in or host a competition that their country voted to exit from. The European Union is a political union of just some of the countries that make up Europe. The UK will still be European and part of Europe so it shouldn't affect their ability to attend European competitions.
northerner
Guest
Yes, except the UK isn't and never has been in the eurozone. It's never given up the pound.
northerner
Guest
I never said I found the article offensive; I said I found it silly. A disconnected and largely irrelevant set of factoids does not constitute a cohesive (or even a coherent) argument. None of what you've said has any relevance at all to football, nor to the chimera of a European unity that has never existed (and has been far more threatened of late by Russian aggression than English retreat or football defeat), never mind any future Australian move to declare a republic.
AlanKC
Guest
The UK is, at the moment, the euro zone's second largest economy...Much like Victoria's (theoretical) departure from Australia would massively weaken Australia.
AlanKC
Guest
70's Mo - That would be fing hilarious.
AlanKC
Guest
richard, calamity (not so much) but recession, should the European banks currently based in the UK move out, is much more likely given the muvva country (much as Australia has) has decimated manufacturing and now relies upon the ubiquitious "services" industry...
Casper
Guest
More likely Britain will be hoping their economy turns around after the debacle since the result, fuelled by an immigration scare campaign. Seems from all reports a lot of exit voters never thought about the financial or travel impacts, maybe because the rural based population isn't interested in the continent, unlike those millienals who should have turned out to vote if it meant so much to their futures. If all the euro based poms come home looking for jobs, they'll be in trouble but Boris might have surfaced by then. Emotional reactions generally don't work out in the cold light of day, how can they be allowed to compete in or host a competition that their country voted to exit from. Interesting to see the reaction of English citizens if they get excluded from the champions & Europa playoffs down the track? Will also be interesting to see how this decision impacts EPL broadcasting fees. Maybe Australia competing in Eurovision wasn't as bizarre as I first thought, crazier stuff has happened since.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
One issue regarding the Brexit is in regards to foreign players. Given the number of EU players in the EPL, will many of the Australian players be more competitive in the EPL market now that they will be on the same visa playing field as players from the EU? Conversely, if EU players find it more difficult to play in the UK will they then increase supply in the bigger EU football markets hence making those markets more difficult for our players to break into? I am not sure how the market will change, however change it will. It would be interesting to know how the PFA intend to monitor this as they look to the welfare of their members. My guess is that the rise of opportunity in Asia is going to dwarf any fall-out from short-term market adjustments in Europe.
northerner
Guest
How does Britain leaving the UK weaken "Europe?" It might weaken the EU, but Europe is quite a lot bigger than the EU. Just ask the Russians. I seriously doubt UEFA will give a stuff one way or the other about the Brexit in relation to football. They didn't care when the USSR split up, or when Yugoslavia broke apart, and those events actually had an impact because it meant more national teams competing under the UEFA umbrella. And the non-EU members of UEFA sure won't care.
pacman
Guest
With the exception of The Whitlam dismissal, I cannot recall the UK having any political impact on the conduct of Australian politics. In fact, it was similar to a republican impeachment event but using an alias. Our governments' legislations are independent of any foreign involvement. It will be most interesting to note what changes occur when we become a republic, for this almost certainly will happen. The change will cost Australia billions of dollars, and the bill will be paid by the public, and they will likely be unhappy. We should bear in mind the old adage "Beware what you wish for".
Kasey
Roar Pro
It seems generation Snowflake dont like the result, but I read that voter turn out in the Milennial generation was about 30%. Helluva way to learn a lesson about democracy. I doubt they will though(learn). Many Milennials just like to blame others for their problems. In this case it was the oldies fault I hear:(
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
Why does it need to make a reasonable point?
j binnie
Guest
Lroy - Just a couple of minor corrections to your well debated article. You mention "Culloden" where there were certainly English Generals in charge of the "southerners" but on the field it was Lowlander fighting Highlander, in fact it could be described as a "religious war" and is often described by historians as "brother fighting brother". You also mention the Edinburgh Festival and sheep as Scotland's main income earners ,you surely overlooked the countries national drink,whisky which is enjoyed all around the world by people.some interested in politics ,some not, but all of whom wll gladly pay between $50 and $200 just to imbibe in their favourite tipple. I read somewhere at one time that there is, in value, more whisky lying around the country ageing in whisky bonds, than there is cash in the Bank of England.When one considers that there is a "bonding age" of 8 to 20 years, this could be true.Cheers jb
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
"How is our political fate tied to the United Kingdom?" Because Australia is a constitutional monarchy and Queen Elizabeth is our nominal head of state. As for the football, I haven't been overly impressed with the standard, although that's a regular tournament conundrum.
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
My thoughts exactly, BigAl!
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
"But again, nothing to do with sports." And yet we've just discussed the issues here. Why is that so offensive to you?
bryan
Roar Rookie
but why would you take em out?