I don't find Ian's comment disrespectful but I do disagree with it hugely. I think it's great we still commemorate at football, it is our national sport after all. I always find the last post very poignant myself and it's the time myself tend to reflect on it. Felt they did it an odd way round today though, normally happens at the end of the silence not before unless I'm imagining it? I liked what QPR did the other in reading out the name of every player from both clubs who lost their life. It was loads.
Tom I used to totally support this but these commemorations are actually frowned upon by FIFA and certainly does not play well abroad. If we are talking about 3 generations ago , i doubt WW2 has much relevance to most people attending the match today. You are correct that we should have rightly celebrated those who fought against Nazi tyranny but can you please explain to me how fighting in Derry, Iraq or Afghanistan has been done for the benefit of my liberty ? Given the fact that many of the players involved in English football are from countries were have either fought against or have be made to fight in our conflicts and the fact that it is beamed around the world makes it seem extremely selfish and certainly not inclusive just makes me think that this is extremely selfish and lacks empathy. If people want to partake , they are free to do tomorrow. There is no need to it to part of football which should be free from politics.
Yeah they did say it beforehand but people are so used to applauding the last post it definitely caught people out. Was impeccably observed after that though. I just wish people would arrive on time for it tbh. Always get a few stragglers who unintentionally disrupt.
**** FIFA. I think it’s a great tradition in this country and every club should have the chance to do it at a home game. And I dispute that the last post is in any way political.
I don't think length of time since WWII matters personally. If those people hadn't made the ultimate sacrifice you might not even be free to state such an opinion which is worth remembering. As for how it plays abroad I couldn't care less tbh. And I highly doubt other countries are really that arsed. Kind of straying into politics here...
Tom But it is intensely political... How do you think players and supporters feel about this within the Republican community in Ireland ? How does it feel for Muslim players ? Do you not feel that it is perplexing for players from South America even if i am aware of the Brazilians being involved in WW1. Just wondered how you might feel if England v India crocket matches were preceded by a minutes silence for Amritsar or Ireland football matches called for respect for the victims of Bloody Sunday ? A lot of the world views UK military action very different you. How are your views inclusive and relevant in 2025 ?
At least you're consistent mate, I remember you arguing strongly against politics in football with taking a knee against racism, the rainbow laces campaign, show racism the red card etc etc. Oh.....
Ireland do hold minutes silences for Bloody Sunday at some sporting events. For what it's worth one of my closest friend is an Irishman raised catholic in a republican family. He thinks it's great we commemorate remembrance day at sporting events still. Again, I couldn't give a **** what other countries think of it. And I seriously doubt that many people are arsed. There's always a minority people who'll be offended by lots of things or offended on behalf of others. In the words of Ricky Gervais... just because somebody is offended it doesn't mean they're right. It's an opinion.
Next time you get down to St Mary’s, park in Bedford place. You can then walk past the war memorial on the way in. That'll explain exactly how much relevance WW2 has to those attending today.
It isn't Political at all, Football is football, Remembrance is Remembrance and they share territory where it is warranted at an appropriate moment in time.
Well the main point is that commemorating those who gave their lives for their country and its people is not a political statement. As Laces rather brilliantly put it, remembering the horror and sacrifice of war, and making sure that successive generations carry that memory forward, is a very good way of preventing another catastrophe. I’m just watching the film “Benediction”, about the life of Siegfried Sassoon, who once wrote “War is hell, and those who institute it are criminals”. Anything which serves to remind us of that is to be applauded.
I'd be perfectly happy with an Irish sporting event, against whomever (and definitely against England) taking a minutes silence around the anniversary of Bloody Sunday. I'd think "fair play". The commemorations are inextricably linked to WW1 and WW2 (far more than anyone really associates them with other conflicts) but the main statement it makes is "war is really, really ****", and I think that's a good message to send to any generation.
Its about remembering and respecting the dead, not celebrating military achievements. You can pay respect to those that died without saying you supported Blair’s war of terror.
If anybody thinks that these are about "yay, war, aren't we great", I'd suggest they're really missing the point more than a free Azaz header missed the goal today.
"How are your views inclusive and relevant in 2025" what are you implying with this sentence? That Tom's views and opinions aren't irrelevant?
