tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782415769184117544.post8188725907819664203..comments2023-11-06T11:54:31.103+11:00Comments on Neos Osmos: Das Libero: Football Violence in MelbourneIan Sysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14381094556560006623noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782415769184117544.post-77872364642481305982013-02-04T19:25:50.130+11:002013-02-04T19:25:50.130+11:00The best revenge is to live well, as the saying go...The best revenge is to live well, as the saying goes. The tabloid media, in particular, has not been a friend of domestic soccer for many years. And the 30 second grab of commercial television is almost always going to focus on sensationalism, whether it's depictions of crowd misbehaviour at soccer, civil unrest in Western Sydney, or the 'scourge' of boat people. In the context of the A-League, there have been so many positives in a stellar season. The motto "we are football" has befitted 99.99% of the fans. It's hard to deal with the .001% who behaved, as you have succinctly put it, like dickheads. What were they thinking? Perhaps the problem is that they weren't thinking. Motorcycle racing in Australia used to have an enormous problem with fans fighting police. It was resolved once the biker communities engaged in what might be called self-policing. That is, they agreed on a code of conduct befitting the event, and police backed off from their TRG approach. This was about conflict resolution between violently opposed groups, which is hardly the same as the vandalising of seats at Etihad. However, my point is that fan groups themselves have to take responsibility for what they consider to be acceptable, or the risk is that authorities will do it for them (which we don't want to see). Now I don't for a second imagine that either the Heart or MV fan groups condone the smashing of seats. That being so, some leadership is needed to indicate to any "dickheads" that they will not be made welcome by the FANS should they conduct themselves that way. The slogan is "WE are football"; just who we are is the question. 99.99% of people who attend A-League games are, like other sport lovers, great fans. The .001% tempted to behave like dickheads need to persuaded by their peers that this is not acceptable. A final, brief, point. The news story you mention from 1948 is not untypical. During the 19th century and much of the 20th century sport was replete with episodes of violence - particularly in respect of gambling, corruption and alcohol abuse. One of your passions, cricket, was particularly noted for riots about umpiring decisions - particularly when gambling on results was rife. So much Australian sport history still to be explored and written. Thanks again, Ian, for a stimulating article.Daryl Adairnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782415769184117544.post-25482119885456171042013-02-04T15:39:13.779+11:002013-02-04T15:39:13.779+11:00Yes. I agree ultimately Paul. These dickheads need...Yes. I agree ultimately Paul. These dickheads need to be expelled from the game. I guess I'm riffing on the notion of how soccer in Australia came to be seen as a forum for this kind of behaviour when crowd violence was such a small part of what happened/happens at games. Even while the media 'abhors' violence/bad behaviour, it quietly maintains the notion that this is what happens at the soccer thereby giving it a weird kind of legitimacy.Ian Sysonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14381094556560006623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782415769184117544.post-45018661912074077692013-02-04T15:06:07.887+11:002013-02-04T15:06:07.887+11:00Yes, perception and media bias is an issue. But th...Yes, perception and media bias is an issue. But there is a problem. Looking the other way, or pretending it is not there, will not get rid of it. I am sick of these people using soccer as a vehicle for this kind of behaviour when they would not consider acting this way at other sporting events.Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03206486881622385464noreply@blogger.com