Column | The downward spiral in football

It was just a soccer ball. Nothing special, you'd think. But my son was absolutely thrilled and was already juggling it on one foot, right next to the Christmas tree. I was secretly pleased and smiled sheepishly, but of course I had to warn him. "Careful with the candles." Even though it was bitterly cold, he showed me a few more tricks outside the house and got me to promise that we would definitely go to a real soccer game in the spring.

There were already plenty of posters hanging in his room, and he was always well-informed about the Bundesliga. Including the league standings, of course. He changed them as needed on a special board that was included with a special football magazine at the start of the season. He received it for his birthday. And then it happened. The game. The excitement was palpable the day before. The topic at dinner, of course, was football and the upcoming match. The club scarf was ready, and I'd already gotten the train tickets.

Fans are part of football. © APA / EXPA/JOHANN GRODER

And I was also informed, because I had to answer the constant question: "Dad, what do you think, will we win today?" Plural. We, of course. After all, we're part of the team. Logical. To get us in the mood, there was a bratwurst. The price was okay. Under four euros. That, at least, was a very positive thing. And my little fan was happy with the pitch, too. A clear view of everything that was going on down there and everything else, because ultimately, it was the kind of football day I didn't want.

Fog over the playing field The game started late. "Dad, why is half the stadium covered in fog? I can't see anything." Should I say that some troublemakers aren't following the rules again?" I opt for the good version. "They're setting off what are called flares out of sheer excitement." I could have given him a lecture about the ban on these actions and how dangerous they are. But after ten minutes, the view was clear, and the game could begin.

Suddenly, there was an interruption. "Dad, what's going on over there? Are they fighting?" The good version again. "Not really. They just have different opinions and aren't quite in control of their emotions." Should I tell him now that a football stadium has long since become a battleground between rival gangs? That clubs don't do anything against their so-called fans, who are no longer interested in the game? That they usually avoid potential stadium bans?

The dark side of football. © APA/afp / CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU

After all, it's large groups who buy all the season tickets, who support the club and act as if they really care about it. But all they want to do, week after week, is take the opportunity to escape their perhaps dreary everyday lives and vent their anger at society. "Those are the die-hard fans," I explain to my boy. And I'm ashamed. The match is suspended for ten minutes. The police have now stormed the stands and restored a deceptive calm. The stadium is seething.

Tumults everywhere Halftime. We're both calm, somehow. The pure, unadulterated joy of the game that we had so desperately hoped for has vanished. And no goals have been scored. But there's still a bratwurst, and the rioters are thankfully on the other side of the stadium. I still feel safe. Kickoff for the second half. A referee blows his whistle, and a player rolls around on the grass, clutching his ankle. Masseurs, doctors, and coaches run onto the pitch, even a stretcher is brought in.

Then ice packs fly in the direction of the referee, who is surrounded by a crowd of players, even though, according to the latest interpretation of the rules, only the captain is actually allowed to speak to him. Nobody cares. "What's going on?" asks my young football fan, who no longer understands. Again, I try the good version. "Some say it was a foul, others say it was just an unfortunate tackle." I don't think my answer is entirely accepted.

Even the players who weren't even on the pitch before get involved. It's a madhouse. Eventually, there are yellow cards, red cards, and the game continues. A draw. From the stands over there, where there had been so much commotion before, a very aggressive atmosphere emanates. We leave before the final whistle, just to be on the safe side. "Dad, that wasn't a good game, was it?" What should I say? My wise child gives me the answer herself. "If it's always like this, then I don't think football is a good game." A simple truth.

The morning after Luckily, he's not reading the newspaper in the morning, but is quickly finishing up the homework he forgot yesterday. I turn a blind eye. At least one. The sports section is revisiting the match. But it hasn't had anything to do with sports for a long time. And it turns out that foul language was used. None of it should be shown to a child. Later, suspensions are handed down, and the players promise to improve and offer flimsy apologies.

So-called experts assess the situation as not so unusual, because basically, this is what happens week after week. Everywhere. In stadiums large and small. In the top leagues and at the local level. Fortunately, my son hasn't lost his enthusiasm for football after his first visit to the big stadium. I still drive him to training twice a week and am glad that his club has a coach who values fair play and good behavior. Meanwhile, the great role models are no longer hanging out in the children's room. That's a good thing. Because fiction has long since become reality.

About the author: Sigi Heinrich The award-winning sports journalist (including the German Television Award, the Bavarian Sports Award, and a nominee for the prestigious Grimme Prize), author, longtime sports editor of the Süddeutsche Zeitung, and commentator for Eurosport since 1989, devotes his weekly column to the entire spectrum of sports and also enjoys venturing into not-so-unfamiliar territory. Sometimes with a smile, sometimes thoughtfully or deliberately provocatively. There should be something for everyone.

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Column | The downward spiral in football

Using a fictitious visit to a football match, our columnist Sigi Heinrich sheds light on the problems surrounding violent fans and sees one cause in the widespread lack of self-control among fans. Nevertheless, he urges young people not to let the joy of playing football be taken away from them.

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