Abstract
Football fans around England are boycotting the World Cup out of principle, but is anyone listening to them asks
ERIC CANTONA SAID of the 2022 football World Cup: “It’s only about money. And the way they treated the people who built the stadiums, it’s horrible. Personally, I will not watch it.”
And now the great French footballer finds his sentiments echoed by many supporters of English football club Millwall, including once fanatical England follower Len Dussak.
“I can’t be bothered watching England matches live or on TV,” he said. “[Manager Gareth] Southgate and his politicising of the game haven’t helped. We all know the score with [Qatar’s] views on homosexuality and modern slavery, but still they go. I’d sooner remember when England meant something to me.”
In a small but vocal corner of working-class support in an increasingly bourgeoisified game, Millwall fans (I’m one) thrive on their maverick “No one likes us” reputation. They received strong criticism when many booed the taking of the knee, Black Lives Matter’s trademark gesture.
Millwall’s boos were not motivated by racism.Tony Dolby, a lifelong Millwall supporter said: “Millwall fans have been kicking the s*** out of racists since the 70s when racism first reared its ugly head on the terraces. There are racist Millwall fans – there are racists in all walks of life – but we are not a racist club and never have been.”
PICTURED: Political protest comes to the King Power Stadium, home of Leicester City FC
CREDIT: Action Plus Sports Images/Alamy
Millwall long ago subscribed to Kick it Out, football’s anti-racist organisation – a move which has always been backed by the club’s supporters. But fans were wary of BLM’s political agenda and an attempt to burn the Union Flag on the cenotaph in 2020 confirmed their suspicions. For working-class communities across the nation, commemorating those who died fighting for their country is a sacred duty.
Prominent in BLM UK were scions of the wealthy middle-class, the very types the Premier League likes to woo. Having already alienated many working-class supporters with tickets pricier than those for the opera, and having created an anodyne environment where swearing and standing are expellable offences, it was now cynically subscribing to a movement that spat in their faces.
Watching Southgate’s England team continue to take the knee while happy to play in the Qatar World Cup increased their anger. In an apparent attempt to head off accusations of hypocrisy, Debbie Hewitt, England’s Football Association chair, has explained that the competition provides “an opportunity to give the migrant workers a voice”, and for players “to shine a light”.
To quote two Millwall supporters: “If these c***s actually believed the s*** they preach, then we would not even go to the World Cup in Qatar.
“It’s that simple, isn’t it?”
The 2022 World Cup, born in blood and greed, has turned off countless fans, me included. Time to master the rules of American football.