Tweet
It’s too bad the (largely European) quest to ban vuvuzelas fell through. The complaints are absolutely warranted: the vuvuzelas are a noisy distraction that can only have a negative impact on the play on the field. The stupid things, ubiquitous here in South Africa, are a plague on the game–far worse than match-fixing or FIFA corruption. They need to be banned. Now and for always.
In fact, FIFA should go much further than merely banning vuvuzelas. Start with those annoying foghorns fans use in Europe. Those too only distract players. They are a noisy nuisance. Yes, I know they were invented by Europeans, which makes them far more acceptable than something created in a primitive place like Africa. But they are still horrible and have no place in the beautiful game.
Arguably worse than horns are the singing and chanting fans. This needs to stop. Do you have any idea how hard it is to play a soccer game while people are chanting and singing? Me neither. Haven’t gotten off my arse since the 80s, in fact. But I’m sure it’s incredibly difficult. Think about it: teams practice in silence. Shouldn’t they be afforded the same benefit when they play their games? It’s only fair. There can be no doubt that singing and chanting dilutes the product on the field. FIFA should ban it once and for all.
Come to think of it, all those fans and banners that people wave at games are terribly unruly and further distract players. They must hate the way those bright flags flutter in the wind right in their field of vision. Sometimes when they’re trying to take a free kick or penalty too! Such a terrible thing. Plus some of the banners mention individual players by name. This either gives them an unfair advantage (if the banner is in their favor) or provides a liability (if it insults them or their mothers). Either way, it’s patently unfair. FIFA needs to ban them.
It’s also disrespectful and distracting when fans jump up and down after their team scores. These expressions of emotion are unacceptable. If a player sees them he is sure to be distracted. Fans should sit quietly in their seats at all times. It is acceptable to clap their hands, but this should be extended to both teams’ play. And only after certain plays, such as a goal for example.
If we’re going to call soccer the beautiful game, we have to let it blossom on the pitch. Anything that distracts from it should be tagged as a detriment to the game and banned by FIFA. Tennis and golf long ago adapted similar codes of conduct from spectators and as a result have grown into the most popular sports on the planet. More importantly, they are played by refined gentlemen; upstanding citizens who would never cheat on their wives, curse out referees or write memoirs where they admit to doing illegal drugs, among other things. It’s time for soccer to adapt the same ambitions. Only then can the sport reach its full potential.
– Nathaniel E. Baker
In fact, FIFA should go much further than merely banning vuvuzelas. Start with those annoying foghorns fans use in Europe. Those too only distract players. They are a noisy nuisance. Yes, I know they were invented by Europeans, which makes them far more acceptable than something created in a primitive place like Africa. But they are still horrible and have no place in the beautiful game.
Arguably worse than horns are the singing and chanting fans. This needs to stop. Do you have any idea how hard it is to play a soccer game while people are chanting and singing? Me neither. Haven’t gotten off my arse since the 80s, in fact. But I’m sure it’s incredibly difficult. Think about it: teams practice in silence. Shouldn’t they be afforded the same benefit when they play their games? It’s only fair. There can be no doubt that singing and chanting dilutes the product on the field. FIFA should ban it once and for all.
Come to think of it, all those fans and banners that people wave at games are terribly unruly and further distract players. They must hate the way those bright flags flutter in the wind right in their field of vision. Sometimes when they’re trying to take a free kick or penalty too! Such a terrible thing. Plus some of the banners mention individual players by name. This either gives them an unfair advantage (if the banner is in their favor) or provides a liability (if it insults them or their mothers). Either way, it’s patently unfair. FIFA needs to ban them.
It’s also disrespectful and distracting when fans jump up and down after their team scores. These expressions of emotion are unacceptable. If a player sees them he is sure to be distracted. Fans should sit quietly in their seats at all times. It is acceptable to clap their hands, but this should be extended to both teams’ play. And only after certain plays, such as a goal for example.
If we’re going to call soccer the beautiful game, we have to let it blossom on the pitch. Anything that distracts from it should be tagged as a detriment to the game and banned by FIFA. Tennis and golf long ago adapted similar codes of conduct from spectators and as a result have grown into the most popular sports on the planet. More importantly, they are played by refined gentlemen; upstanding citizens who would never cheat on their wives, curse out referees or write memoirs where they admit to doing illegal drugs, among other things. It’s time for soccer to adapt the same ambitions. Only then can the sport reach its full potential.
– Nathaniel E. Baker
Comment