A Political slant to the game on June 4th........

[pineapple stu]

Many people disagreed with our government allowing the US to use Shannon during the invasion of Iraq and thought it made us complicit in pursuing what they saw as an illegal war. Would you have appreciated if say a sizeable portion of the crowd at our game in Paris had turned their backs when our anthem was been played.

If you ignore the fact that I probably wouldn't have understood why they were sitting down, then no, in all honesty, I wouldn't have (course it's easy to say that now seeing as it's a hypothetical question). I'd possibly have been pleased that others had seen the disgraceful antics of our Government and wanted to make a stand over it - supporting the view of those Irish who feel the Government was well out of order. After that, the game is under way and it's football all the way, of course.

Firstly mate, I think you're out of order saying that those not doing what you plan on doing are socially irresponsible.

I object to that comment - I am in no way implying that those who don't do what I do are socially irresponsible. That implies absolutely no consideration of the facts on my part, which clearly isn't the case.

[tiktok]

I just think a token gesture should be made when the anthems are being played, to make a point. That should be the end of it then IMO

Can I ask Eanna, what do you mean by that?

Staying seated, turning your back or booing?

TBH, I realise many will want to do something, so I can tolerate the first two, but booing a national anthem, which I've heard suggested, is one of the worst forms of protest I could envisage.

[Dotsy]

[QUOTE=pineapple stu]If you ignore the fact that I probably wouldn't have understood why they were sitting down, then no, in all honesty, I wouldn't have (course it's easy to say that now seeing as it's a hypothetical question). I'd possibly have been pleased that others had seen the disgraceful antics of our Government and wanted to make a stand over it - supporting the view of those Irish who feel the Government was well out of order. After that, the game is under way and it's football all the way, of course.


Fair enough if that's your opinion. Personally I would take it as an insult to our country and to our fans.

[Éanna]

Can I ask Eanna, what do you mean by that?

Staying seated, turning your back or booing?

TBH, I realise many will want to do something, so I can tolerate the first two, but booing a national anthem, which I've heard suggested, is one of the worst forms of protest I could envisage.

I would suggest people turning their backs. But i would be totally against booing.

[dynamo kerry]

I'm on board with the not standing up for their anthem - the turning of your back seems even better.

I'm finally making a return to games as the g/fs brothers aren't able to go so I get in. I can see the conversation with the g/fs dad now

him: why aren't you standing?
me: cos israel needs certain issues to be highlighted despite the palestinians not being exactly innocent parties in the matter and another thing- how is israel part of europe anyway...

him: don't be such a pain in the arse and stand up

me: but...

most of the west stand: stand up you blond git.

[Schumi]

most of the west stand: stand up you blond git.

That'll never happen, you might be able to hear people in the West Stand then.

[Lionel Ritchie]

Lads -presuming the potential protesters want as much coverage as possible -there's a simple reality of football coverage that I'm surprised no one's hit on yet. They won't show any protest on telly.

If you boo or if you manage to get a "silent" protest to work they'll just get george and Jim to talk over it.
If you have people raising banners or whatever they'll just pan the camera off of them unless you can compete with mr john 3:17 behind the goals (I think he prefers the old bog-ball anyway).

It's just policy not to show these things as it only encourages others to come along next time.

So basically a protest will get a footnote in the following days paper and that's about it.

[tiktok]

If you boo or if you manage to get a "silent" protest to work they'll just get george and Jim to talk over it.

....or get the tannoy to play everything more loudly as they did during the 'red card to Milo' protest!!!

[Donal81]

I object to that comment - I am in no way implying that those who don't do what I do are socially irresponsible. That implies absolutely no consideration of the facts on my part, which clearly isn't the case.

What does this mean (below)?

Once again, my point at least has nothing to do with protesting against the Israeli team. My point centres around main symbol of the nation which will be evident at the game - the playing of the anthem. I for one have no intention of standing to honour the anthem and what it stands for. I think anything else is turning a blind eye on the issue, verging on social irresponsibility (maybe a bit strong, but anyway).

If I read it wrong, I honestly apologise. I thought you were implying that there we all have a social responsibility to protest.

Glad to see that someone has decided to organise some kind of protest. These Nazi scum shouldn't even be allowed into the country, never mind be allowed participate in world cup qualifiers. "ISRAEL" OUT

Eanna, given this quote and the constant talk of booing their national anthem - which constitutes as abuse in my book - forgive me for thinking that you might be hurling abuse at some point if you're at the game.

[Éanna]

So basically a protest will get a footnote in the following days paper and that's about it.

which is better than no mention at all IMO

Eanna, given this quote and the constant talk of booing their national anthem - which constitutes as abuse in my book - forgive me for thinking that you might be hurling abuse at some point if you're at the game.

I never once said anything about booing the anthem though. Fact is, I won't be at the game anyway, but I would support a protest, even encourage it, as long as its dignified and peaceful.

[pineapple stu]

If you boo or if you manage to get a "silent" protest to work they'll just get george and Jim to talk over it.

Possibly, although commentators aren't allowed to (certainly never do) talk over anthems, as far as I know. Anyway, I would imagine it would be Israeli TV we'd be more worried about? Though I suppose they'd ignore it as well. Still, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

If I read it wrong, I honestly apologise. I thought you were implying that there we all have a social responsibility to protest.

I do agree that it socially irresponsible to bury your head in the sand at things like this and say "Yerrah, sure it's just a football game." However, the way you put it across was implying that I said saocially irresponsible actions were those I don't agree with - i.e. blackening the reputation of those who disagree with me. That's a very American tactic which I despise. That's all. Apologies for the crossed wires! I assume you still won't be happy with my stance, but at least you know exactly what it is now!

[Colie]

I think showing disrespect to anyone's national anthem is undignified and beneath the standards of our supporters.

Nothing is beneath the standards of our supporters. They boo Ronaldo coz of Man U? Shams. They boo Rangers players. Most of the Ireland fans are dkheads & we'll have to live with that.

[Colie]

that may be so, id didn't attend LR in the 80's. LR hasn't been intimidating for a long while now, the most intimidating grounds I've been at are when the opposition are booed,whistled jeered whilst in posession.

What is your suggestion for making the place intimidating again (assuming you want to) Olé Olé or come on you boys in green?

I think booing everyone all the time is a good idea. It puts the opposition off their game. It has nothing to do with politics or anything.

[Colie]

Boys in Green has always been our song & I hope it always will be.

It's Boys in Blue & it's for the Dubs.

[CollegeTillIDie]

Not so long ago that woman had no vote in national elections. Apparently women still have vote in local elections! Should we all boycott them?

pete

Women got the vote in 1971 in Swiss Elections to be fair!

[dahamsta]

Glad to see that someone has decided to organise some kind of protest. These Nazi scum shouldn't even be allowed into the country, never mind be allowed participate in world cup qualifiers. "ISRAEL" OUT

Hang on a second now. I deleted a post by an Israeli last night because it attacked you, and not your post, and I stand by that. However when reviewing your post quickly I assumed that the "Nazi scum" comment referred to a subset of people, a particular group, but on re-reading it now it appears that you've labelled an entire people and an entire country "Nazi scum". Is this correct?

adam

[Éanna]

I was referring to the IDF (Israeli army) and all who support its actions by ovting for the current government. Sorry if i didn't make it clearer.

[dahamsta]

I was referring to the IDF (Israeli army)

Quite a few members of the IDF, in particular members of the air force, have spoken out against many of the actions of the IDF and the Israeli Government. Anyone with any kind of basic knowledge of the military will know how dangerous this kind of outspokeness can be. You've just labelled those incredibly brave people just because you wanted to make a point.

and all who support its actions by ovting for the current government. Sorry if i didn't make it clearer.

I'm sorry too Éanna. I'm sorry you have to resort to this kind of stereotyping and bigotry to get your point across. I'm sorry it makes me sick to my stomach to see that kind of bile come out of an otherwise intelligent guy. I'm sorry it happens so regularly despite the fact that you've been told time and time again to knock it on the head.

I'm sorry to have to tell you that if it happens once more, I'm going to have to suspend you from the site just like I would everyone else, and remove you moderator privileges. I can't have people "representing" Foot.ie acting in this way.

Once more Éanna, no kidding. I'm sick of it.

adam

[Dazzy]

I think booing everyone all the time is a good idea. It puts the opposition off their game. It has nothing to do with politics or anything.

Nearly every country we play does this, so why cant we.

[Éanna]

Quite a few members of the IDF, in particular members of the air force, have spoken out against many of the actions of the IDF and the Israeli Government. Anyone with any kind of basic knowledge of the military will know how dangerous this kind of outspokeness can be. You've just labelled those incredibly brave people just because you wanted to make a point.

I'm sorry too Éanna. I'm sorry you have to resort to this kind of stereotyping and bigotry to get your point across. I'm sorry it makes me sick to my stomach to see that kind of bile come out of an otherwise intelligent guy. I'm sorry it happens so regularly despite the fact that you've been told time and time again to knock it on the head.

I'm sorry to have to tell you that if it happens once more, I'm going to have to suspend you from the site just like I would everyone else, and remove you moderator privileges. I can't have people "representing" Foot.ie acting in this way.

Once more Éanna, no kidding. I'm sick of it.

adam

I'm not gonna drag this argument out over the boards adam, I'll PM you