Soccer and confrontation: social psychopathy

When soccer ceases to be a sport and becomes a channel for hatred.

Recently, the derby between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid was broadcasted, and the bars were filled with confrontation. People positioned with one team or the other discussed the tactics employed by the coaches, debated about who was the star among the outstanding players of both sides, etc.

Soccer and confrontation

In this type of events we can easily see the positioning of people according to how they feel identified with the ideals of a club among other reasons, but it is more difficult to see someone going to watch the match to enjoy a match between players of the highest level sportingly speaking. Each person shows a feeling of belonging depending on their life history towards one or the other, and this makes objectivity lose weight against the subjective vision of each person.

This phenomenon is easy to see when a controversial play occurs or when evaluating the work of a team, even if it is the opposing team. We can observe how the conflict gains ground against the educational repercussion it has for the people watching the game. Thousands of T-shirts of the so-called star players are sold, the media image of these players is exploited to sell a certain product...

Without going any further, one only has to look at the soccer boots that young people demand, or the name they want stamped on their jerseys. During this open conflict we forget, both spectators and sports journalists, the greater relevance of team play as opposed to the decisive weight that one or another prominent character can have. We forget in the heat of the match that a player cannot compete alone against eleven opposing players: this is not the message that gets through, but the star play or the goal he could have scored regardless of how the match is going or whether there has been that concept of justice for the team that works best to achieve its goal. This can translate into the search for a quick reward over the collective values of a team.

Culture of confrontation

In the course of the pursuit of the goal, and especially in matches where time has been spent weeks before to warm up the atmosphere and promote the pink sporting prey, there are quarrels between players. We see how falls are exaggerated or how they disrespect each other with steps, or with statements in the press, we also see how the frustration tolerance of some players is questioned by the formation of tanganas, but what we do not see so easily is the media impact it has on the education of people as mentioned above.

Television, internet, press, etc. are also considered educational media. But it seems that the most lucrative objective is not the spectacle of the sport itself, but to encourage individuality and the belief that a single player can fight against an entire team, and this is reinforced by the soccer atmosphere that can be breathed in the nearest bar.

The purpose of this article is to question the role of the media in events that move masses, and that are a reference for many people of all ages, and that instead of uniting for the pleasure of watching a top level match, they feed the confrontation and emphasize the attributes that precisely less benefit a team sport or the group relations between a team and between both. Hopefully we can see a match in which the strongest tackles are not sought, nor the most spectacular pools, but a mirror where people can be reflected and feel part of it in a positive way, without violence or racial discrimination, and with respect as a flag.

Fair play should not be an empty label, but an educational tool for young and not so young people that can be applied in our daily lives. Besides, why consider the two teams as opposites or as something that cannot be mixed like water and oil. Why not change the approach and consider it as sweet and salty, with how good is melon with ham, or chocolate with orange. It all depends on the point of view from which we start.

Let us advocate for transforming what is negative or different into creative and positive opportunities that provide resources to transform society into a better place.