THE PASSION OF FOOTBALL (soccer)

In the novel “The Lovers of the River” the character Triggon lives an intense passion for his love, the beautiful Arcadia.

He is capable of doing almost anything for Arcadia. He wants Arcadia to feel happy, joyful and above all, the best woman on Earth.

But if Arcadia fails on any specific matter, if she shows she is not capable to overcome a difficult situation, then, Triggon becomes angry, even insults Arcadia, gives her his back, and it will take time to repair those relations and to make that both come together to be the lovers they were before.

Something similar happens currently with the FIFA World Cup and the fans of the participating countries.

When they were able to qualify and go to Russia, all was hope, expectative, and a strong wish to win and win.

But when a strong rival imposes a defeat, immediately starts a contagious animosity against the team, and from the comments of journalists to the blasphemies of some fans, there is a criticism and the most ruthless condemnation for the team, the coach, and for certain players.

There was no betrayal, simply the team could not overcome its occasional rival.

What is worst, the hooligans –many of whom are not allowed or don’t have the money to be in the stadium—  at the height of fanaticism proffer insults to the circumstantial adversaries and to their countries, publicly trampling breaking or burning their flags.

Because what is a sportive confrontation taken with a good competitive spirit in the field by the players, comes to be a kind of war among some fanatics of different countries.

They manifest old historical rivalries and issues that until today are in dispute among their countries and make of what should be just a joyful expression of the sport by the best players and teams of the World in a very sad and regretful manifestation of infamous passions of the worst kind.

Those delayed and altered minds are fortunately the exceptions, but nevertheless, there are many, and in some countries, they abound more than in others. 

When a World Cup is played, what is there is a sports party at the highest level. So you have to take it and so you have to live it and enjoy it.

Even when a team loses, and cannot continue in the race, you must receive it back in your country with a hug and thanks for reaching as high as it could.

There will always be another opportunity.

Milton W. Hourcade

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