Fans united in compassion
THE sight of Bolton Wanderers’ Fabrice Muamba ( pic) lying on the ground apparently from a cardiac arrest in the midst of the FA Cup quarter final match between Tottenham Hotspur and Bolton Wanderers on Sunday morning was indeed horrifying.
I was watching the televised game live from the comfort of my living room thousands of kilometres away from the scene, but my instinctive reaction was exactly the same as those present at White Hart Lane.
There was total silence at the stadium as the medical personnel worked quickly on Muamba, who was in a life threatening condition then. From the looks on the spectators, players and match officials I could feel how serious and tense the moment was.
People watched in awe, in tears and prayed for Muamba to be all right. Later on, many all around the world joined in to extend their get-well wishes via Facebook and Twitter.
The sight on the pitch was definitely not a scene we would like and ever want to see, but the human side of football was at its best – and in volume – that morning.
The behaviour of the spectators was highly praiseworthy. All were keeping silent so as not to disturb the suffering player and medical team that was hard at work.
When it was announced that the match had been abandoned, all the spectators cooperated and left in a disciplined manner. There were moments I was concerned that one or two irresponsible blokes would erupt in discontent but luckily I was proven wrong. Well done, folks.
The players from both sides were also concerned all through the ordeal. Worry and concern for their fellow footballer were topmost on their minds. Match officials also reacted promptly, and the call by Referee Howard Webb to abandon the match was never ever so right with regard to the situation at hand.
What transpired throughout the traumatic event was definitely highly exemplary. We have seen many times the ugly side of football: Stadium riots and fan hooliganism that resulted in injuries and fatalities.
Also, unprofessional spats among players or fans. But what prevailed and won that day were consideration and compassion – by both fans and players.
What happened to Muamba was not something anyone or anybody would have wanted. But let the occasion be remembered as an example for the sensible side of football.
Dear all footballers and fans alike – be it in Malaysia or abroad – we must remember and not forget this day. I do hope that the orderly, disciplined and humane chronology of events at White Hart Lane on that morning will not be gone and forgotten. K.T. TEH, Kuala Lumpur.