When the UK and Ireland were confirmed as hosts for Euro 2028, Rishi Sunak boasted, “We host tournaments better than anyone else.”
Of course, the Prime Minister is bound to be delighted that under his watch, an event has been secured that amounts to approx. 2.6 billion pounds.
Yet this is why other nations view Britain as quite an arrogant fanbase.
It’s the reason why outside of England ‘It’s coming Home’ is deemed cocky.
A representation of a country who think they are unique and have a divine right to privileges.
Because while Mr Sunak’s statement above consists of powerful buzz words, whisper it quietly …. it’s not true, is it?
Now if you needed to organise a competition with a week’s notice, everything is in place in England, Wales., Scotland and Ireland.
Plenty of stadiums to choose from with transport links already prepared.
Yet there’s a reason why whether it’s Prince William, Southgate, Harry Kane, etc, all refer to Euro 96 or the London Olympics as proof this part of the world know how to throw a party.
It’s like we are meant to forget the last European Championship’s which was essentially played on English soil.
Remember that Final?
Where thousands showed up without tickets?
Forced their way past stewards, broke down barriers and sat in seats others had paid for.
The FA stayed quiet about sanctions handed out to them?
Yet for years we judge other associations for similar issues.
Some have the audacity to use lockdown as an excuse for breaking the law.
This weekend Man United will change Tuesday’s minute silence for Bobby Charlton into a round of applause. If I were his family, I would be so offended I would rather Man City not bother if they can’t act with dignity.
A gesture designed to showcase dignity and class instead highlighting our flaws.
People are not being asked to clap at the Etihad to remember Mr Charlton, it’d because the crowd can’t be trusted to be quiet for 60 seconds.
Everton might have the same issue after the death of Bill Kenwright. Think about that for a second, the ‘People’s Club’ are worried their fans might boo a tribute of a man’s life because they deem him not good at his job.
He never got to say a farewell to his beloved Toffees, with a security warning it was no longer safe to attend Goodison Park.
(West Ham owners faced the same death threats at the London Stadium)
We shouldn’t be shocked, this is the same city who couldn’t stay quiet for a period of silence when the Queen passed away, because they are the only place in the world who ever had anything bad happen to them.
Man City v Liverpool has been ordered to start at lunch time after the police deemed an evening kick off too dangerous after years of yobs attacking team buses.
This season alone a man was arrested at the Emirates for attempting to head butt Roy Keane, in Sheffield a grown man has admitted to not being able to cope with Sunderland away fans kissing the badge, so responded by holding up an image of Bradley Lowery, a 6 year old who lost his battle with cancer.
Cardiff is being earmarked to house the first match of the Euros in five years. I was at Wales Vs Croatia the other Sunday and the min silence for Israel and Palestine was ruined.
Let’s not even talk about the number of players who complain about racial abuse, no longer newsworthy because of how often it happens.
West Ham fans were banned from travelling abroad last month due to how some Hammers conducted themselves in the Conference Final.
The final two Old Firm Derbiesin the last campaign had zero away fans due to the conduct of both sets of supporters.
I could go on ….
The truth is UEFA have given no assurances how lessons have been learnt from the last European Championships.
Zero evidence that anything will be better.
After the lack of policing in 2021 it sends a bad message to the rest of Europe and essentially that’s been ignored during this process.
Its only our own bias that makes us ignore the fact that despite having a serious issue everyone turns the other cheek when it suits.
That issue is the belief that in the confines of a stadium, grown adults think they can act how they want.
“Better than anyone else” ?
Simply not true….
Dan Smith