The Football Thread 2017-18

[Oblomov Boblomov]

Thankfully I don't think I've heard racist abuse at a football match, although I've heard plenty of xenophobia. It seems to be racism's socially acceptable cousin (as long as it's directed towards a white player — you don't hear "you African twat" for example, as that would feel like full on racism, whereas no one bats an eyelid at "you Welsh prick").

I do still hear a lot of homophobic abuse. Just Saturday for example there were a group of Blues fans desperate for Tom Lawrence to hear them calling him a ****** whenever he took a corner. I don't think he's gay, he just has something of a 'modern' look about him and a slim frame.

[Rex Kramer]

Building on the Cyrille Regis theme, I agree with KingK about racism being far more apparent at football in the 70s and 80s than (thankfully) it is today. I started going to see Arsenal in 1981 and the team had a number of black guys in the squad. The fans seemed - to me, anyway - to be very accepting of this; it was nothing odd (as, of course, it shouldn't be) and I don't recall hearing any racist abuse in the crowd. All the fans got behind the team regardless of who was playing.

However, I do remember one time that we played Watford and they had the brilliant young John Barnes playing for them. I was standing with my mate on the North Bank terracing and two Arsenal supporters were giving him racist abuse; disgusting stuff that was unusual to hear at Arsenal and we were shocked by it. They were two big guys and, whilst other supporters were moving away from them and giving them looks, they carried on regardless. Anyhow, the game ended and immediately two black chaps approached them and "challenged" their behaviour... within seconds a bust-up ensued and the two racist thugs took an absolute pasting. As a young teenager I found it scary and shocking but it felt like the thugs had got what they deserved. I don't know if it was "right" but it felt like justice.

It's terrible to hear about some of the stuff that black players had to face whilst simply playing the game. Guys like Cyrille Regis helped to make people think about their behaviour. There is still some way to go but Cyrille and other players had the skill and determination to go out onto the pitch and change minds. What a remarkable legacy.

My recollection of 80s football was that fans never racially abused their own black players but didn't think twice about doing the same to the opposition's players. I certainly never remember Des Walker or Franz Carr getting any but players on the opposition were getting dog's abuse. I guess there was some kind of tiny mind 'they're one of us' mentality going on.

[Rocsteady]

Thankfully I don't think I've heard racist abuse at a football match, although I've heard plenty of xenophobia. It seems to be racism's socially acceptable cousin (as long as it's directed towards a white player — you don't hear "you African twat" for example, as that would feel like full on racism, whereas no one bats an eyelid at "you Welsh prick").

I do still hear a lot of homophobic abuse. Just Saturday for example there were a group of Blues fans desperate for Tom Lawrence to hear them calling him a ****** whenever he took a corner. I don't think he's gay, he just has something of a 'modern' look about him and a slim frame.

Lovely. Thankfully I've not heard homophobia at a game for a game in a long time now, have no doubt it's still very prevalent though.

[Curls]

Xenophobia is still rife in sport, I agree. You only have to go to a Wales six nations match to realise that. They all be massive Xenophobes! But we get it back massively from the English.

[7256930752]

At the Emirates all crowd noise is kept to a minimum so you are unlikely to hear any racist or homophobic abuse.

I'm glad Sanchez is going to Utd, shows that his ambition is all financial and has nothing to do with trophies.

[Preezy]

Man chooses employers that offer more money shocker

[Benzin]

At the Emirates all crowd noise is kept to a minimum so you are unlikely to hear any racist or homophobic abuse.

Surely all you hear at Arsenal is the rustling of someone opening their bag of carrot sticks?

And afterwards Arsenal Fan TV...

[Moggy]

The Guardian cartoon on Cyrille Regis is fantastic.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng ... are_btn_tw

[Photek]

Man chooses employers that offer more money shocker

More money than any other City player, no way City could sanction that.

Edit: That comic is great. I like the sarcasm about stories of black players buying houses.

[Mafro]

At the Emirates all crowd noise is kept to a minimum so you are unlikely to hear any racist or homophobic abuse.

I'm glad Sanchez is going to Utd, shows that his ambition is all financial and has nothing to do with trophies.

[Denster]

At the Emirates all crowd noise is kept to a minimum so you are unlikely to hear any racist or homophobic abuse.

I'm glad Sanchez is going to Utd, shows that his ambition is all financial and has nothing to do with trophies.

We won two last season.

[Preezy]

Yeah to be fair I don't think you can label a player joining Man United as doing it solely for the money. They've won trophies even during this apparent crisis period. Even Moyesey won the hallowed Community Shield!

[Photek]

Yeah to be fair I don't think you can label a player joining Man United as doing it solely for the money. They've won trophies even during this apparent crisis period. Even Moyesey won the hallowed Community Shield!

In this case it is solely for the money because City will win trophies too, it’s literally the only differential using your own logic.

[Preezy]

Yeah to be fair I don't think you can label a player joining Man United as doing it solely for the money. They've won trophies even during this apparent crisis period. Even Moyesey won the hallowed Community Shield!

In this case it is solely for the money because City will win trophies too, it’s literally the only differential using your own logic.

History and prestige of the club?
More playing time?
The chance to play with Fellaini?

Yeah best just ignore all of those factors.

[Photek]

Yeah to be fair I don't think you can label a player joining Man United as doing it solely for the money. They've won trophies even during this apparent crisis period. Even Moyesey won the hallowed Community Shield!

In this case it is solely for the money because City will win trophies too, it’s literally the only differential using your own logic.

History and prestige of the club?
More playing time?
The chance to play with Fellaini?

Yeah best just ignore all of those factors.

If you're suggesting he'd join Manu over City for less money then you're being ridiculous. It's about money, no idea why you are arguing about it tbh.

[Preezy]

Yeah to be fair I don't think you can label a player joining Man United as doing it solely for the money. They've won trophies even during this apparent crisis period. Even Moyesey won the hallowed Community Shield!

In this case it is solely for the money because City will win trophies too, it’s literally the only differential using your own logic.

History and prestige of the club?
More playing time?
The chance to play with Fellaini?

Yeah best just ignore all of those factors.

If you're suggesting he'd join Manu over City for less money then you're being ridiculous. It's about money, no idea why you are arguing about it tbh.

Where did I say that? I'm just saying that you can't say it's JUST because of the money, other factors come into play. Same reason people choose Liverpool over some other club, they've got more than just money to offer, even if there's no guarantee of silverware.

[Denster]

It's because City wont pay the fee. If they had he would have negotiated with them. It's not the money United are paying him. Its the transfer and agent fee.

[Photek]

Yeah to be fair I don't think you can label a player joining Man United as doing it solely for the money. They've won trophies even during this apparent crisis period. Even Moyesey won the hallowed Community Shield!

In this case it is solely for the money because City will win trophies too, it’s literally the only differential using your own logic.

History and prestige of the club?
More playing time?
The chance to play with Fellaini?

Yeah best just ignore all of those factors.

If you're suggesting he'd join Manu over City for less money then you're being ridiculous. It's about money, no idea why you are arguing about it tbh.

Where did I say that? I'm just saying that you can't say it's JUST because of the money, other factors come into play. Same reason people choose Liverpool over some other club, they've got more than just money to offer, even if there's no guarantee of silverware.

The 'other factors' are similar, all told if both clubs offered the same money and deal he'd go with City which again points to money being the deciding factor. You're right that some players choose clubs with money being secondary,Ox Chamberlain was offered more wages at Arsenal and still left but I don't think that's anything to do with Liverpool's 'prestige' he wanted to play for Klopp. Sanchez wanted to play for Pep, you could argue that he'll have more freedom of expression under Pep than Mourinho plus he's guaranteed a trophy this year with the league, your 'other factors' opinion probably still favours City.

It's about money and everyone can see it, don't see the issue he's going to be a great addition.

[Preezy]

You massively underestimate the pull of playing with Darmian.

[Denster]

The simple fact is City were hoping to get him on the cheap and now wont pay a premium. Would he have preferred City? Most players would love to go there right now. But its not just about the money. If it was he could have cooled his heels and waited for a massive contract (free from a transfer fee) in the summer with a number of clubs.