Football is a magical game. A great degree of this magic lies within the relationship between the fans and the players. The dual exchange of emotions between the pitch and the stands defines the identity of football clubs. Major cities like London and Milan boast two or more football clubs. In these cases, club membership is explicitly automatic, and people become fans by virtue of their place of birth. Cross-city fans automatically become rivals. However, it is different for the multitude of eyes viewing from all corners of the globe. The style, panache and swagger with which teams interpret their game influences an individual’s decision to cast his support for or against them. Fickle fans exist too and they trade clubs for reasons such as on-the-pitch success. They also switch allegiances because of their love for a particular player or manager.
True fans support through thick and thin. They are always totally loyal and committed to their team’s plight. They represent the tradition and values behind the proud colors of their clubs. They preserve and transfer these club values from one generation to another. They create unique atmospheres at match venues to intimidate the opposition and win games for their sides. They are always optimistic, even in the face of impending failure.
A good percentage of fans own shares in their clubs. In fact, giant teams like Barcelona and Real Madrid in Spain are “owned” by the fans. For this reason, they resist bids by individuals to take over their clubs. This allows them to cling strongly to the values that they hold dear. Other fans make their voices heard through several online blogs and forums.
To be realistic, football cannot stand on its own without this supporting cast. The passion of footballers these days is largely determined arguably by the size of their pay packets. It is the fans that see beyond the ninety minutes and embody the pride of the club’s logo. This goes to unimaginary heights at times, cue the ugly scenes recorded in some cases. Pride and passion are integral ingredients in the football mix. Healthy rivalry exists amongst fans of different clubs and fans covet having the bragging rights. Clubs also generate a substantial sum from the sale of match day and season tickets to fans. To underline the importance of fans and their support, why does the regulatory body punish clubs by mandating them to play games behind closed doors?
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