Why I can’t stand by while our game is tarnished
Its a sad fact that while I have been a football fan, I can’t recall a worse week for the game I love. Yes, I have tried getting into the other codes such as Rugby League, Cricket, etc. But I have found no greater love in a sporting sense than with the game of association football. Nothing compares to the amazing feeling when a last minute goal goes in or the thrill of a comeback from a few goals down. It’s the feeling of singing with someone you’ve never met before in the pouring rain when your team is going through a barren run.
Growing up in this country as a sporting fan it’s not hard to see why the game hasn’t flourished. There seem to be some in the media who want to go out of there way to drag our sport down in whichever means possible. Last Sunday they posted a gallery of banned fans which is unethical at best. Personally I wasn’t effected but I know of quite a few Sydney fans who shouldn’t have been on that list. Strangely however that isn’t what hurt most over the past 10 days.
Which brings us to the governing body. Now as a human, its hard to fathom when somebody has a go at something you love. That’s why support is often found, this is where the FFA have let their primary stakeholders down. Not only have they let us down, there is a sense of betrayal because of the way they have handled themselves. The FFA we’re almost handed the opportunity to back you and me as football fans yet what happened? They carried on with their obviously practiced answer and in doing that, they failed in their duty of care. Thankfully at that point the media have stepped in and I can only thank them for doing that. However the real power lies with the fan. I will not be letting them win whether it is the FFA or whether its the media.
Over the years football has given me hope, given me something to look forward to at the end of the week. As I’m sure its given you the reader something to look forward too. So now its time to make a stand whether it’s through boycotting or making a sign. After all, We are football.
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