Yesterday over 70 people died in Egypt as the result of a riot following a soccer game. This is unbelievable to me, yet it happens in every part of world. It plagues all sports from little leagues to major leagues. But, it rarely seems to involve the participants in the match. Not the ones who are actually in the heat of battle. No, it seems to be those watching who feel the need to wreak havoc.
It often is fueled by alcohol, but it has to go deeper than that. What could possibly make a life so devoid of any meaning that the idea of murdering someone because they’re supporting an opposing team seems like a good idea?
After the contest, the players generally shake hands and display good sportsmanship. Why, then, do their fans feel the need to destroy property and lives? Is it any wonder that the title of “fan” is derived from the word “fanatic”? This is fanaticism that enters the realm of a terrorist mindset. The idea that someone has based their identity so completely on a particular side in a sporting event that crossing them is risking your life is absurd.
In many ways this is harder for me to understand than regular street crime. At least when someone commits a robbery, they're trying to gain something, albeit in a completely antisocial manner. In the case of a sports riot there is nothing to be gained. So, your team won or lost, big deal. They’ll win or lose again. Then what? Kill again? This is a pathetic cycle and anyone involved needs to make an effort to find some serious meaning to their life rather than participate in the taking of another.
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