Now is the time for fans to show they can become source of hope not hate
CONTRARY to common perception, football fans are regularly a force for good.
They organise, agitate, put their hands in their pockets and their reputations on the line to support and unite their wider communities.
We have seen concerted action against racism and homophobia, banners welcoming refugees and supporting sacked workers, justice campaigns and food-bank collections.
We have seen the remarkable outpouring of love across the board offered to young Sunderland fan Bradley Lowery and his family as he battles cancer.
In today’s General Election, two fans are standing as independents to raise issues at their club, which, they believe, hurts the people around them.
Millwall supporter Willow Winston is protesting the regeneration scheme around the Den and Blackburn Rovers fan Duncan Miller is trying to run the Venky’s out of town.
Go on social media and websites and you will see the sincere wishes to the family of Cheick Tiote (above), who has died tragically, aged 30.
A welcome solidarity in this week when the overwhelming majority of Tiote’s fellow muslims are struggling under the weight of guilt and shame for acts they abhor. Which brings us to Saturday’s game at Hampden between Scotland and England.
It is being played in the shadow of two appalling terror attacks, the result of which will be heightened security and a minute’s silence for the victims.
Is it too much to ask the travelling England fans (and any Scots who fancy going OTT as they stoke the ancient tribal fires) to respect the anguish and susceptibilities of their fellow citizens right now and cease to spew illogical hatred for a couple of hours?
Is it possible to disappoint those in society who loathe football fans and who will revel in any moronic behaviour around this game?
The last time England played abroad was in Dortmund, on the night of the terror attack on Westminster, when the country was reeling.
Before the game, many England fans booed the German anthem.
Throughout it, they kept up a barrage of antiGerman songs about bombing and death and a perceived superiority over their guests.
Rarely has their banality looked or sounded uglier.
As a result this week, the FA handed out two life bans to men who gave Nazi salutes after fielding 100 complaints from England fans, who were in Dortmund and were shamed by events.
The FA are sending extra stewards to Glasgow, but, being unable to enforce banning orders (as you don’t need a passport to get into Scotland), they will be powerless to stop large numbers of England fans disgracing themselves as they did on their last trip to that city, in 2014 when old anti-IRA chants were sung.
That wouldn’t be the best idea on Saturday at Hampden. This is neither the time nor the place for sectarian bile or ancient anthems about terror and war, which serve only to fuel the fires of hate.
It is a time to respect those who have died and show – as young music fans did with Sunday’s concert at Lancashire cricket ground – that the men of terror won’t kill the joy we get from singing songs or celebrating goals.
Those incapable of doing that on Saturday won’t merely be letting themselves and their country down, but the very thing they purport to be: a football fan.
Otherwise known as one of the most decent and generous types among us.