Fútbol, política y racismo (SPA-ENG)

Soccer, politics and racism

I love this sport so much that it constantly gives us fun, emotion, and joy, sometimes also discomfort, but it is a component of the game where you win and also loses.

I don't like seeing the word soccer related to politics and racism, I never have, although I must admit that over the years the business behind this sport, which attracts crowds around the world, has become attractive and very profitable due to Therefore, politics sank its teeth into such an exquisite dish, it was inevitable.

In recent times, racism has also gained strength and what was supposed to be a fact from the dark past of societies has re-emerged with force in recent times, hitting sport in general and football in particular.

Yesterday in Spain, an incident with a racist tone had very unpleasant edges in the match between Real Madrid and Valencia, where again the Merengue striker Vinicius Jr. was the target of xenophobic attacks. To make matters worse, a while later the striker himself was sent off for punching a rival in the face, DT Ancelotti from the Madrid team came out to defend him publicly.

In the U20 youth world cup that is being held in my country, a serious event related to racism also happened yesterday; A Colombian spectator was arrested after waving a Palestinian flag as a mockery and provocation to the Israel team, just after the match in which Colombia won the victory between the two teams at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium in La Plata.

Let's remember that the World Cup in this youth category was to be held in Indonesia, but FIFA took away the headquarters and the organization because this country diplomatically supports the Palestinian cause and the governor of Bali, where one of the designated stadiums is located, had requested the veto for the Israeli national team. Additionally, there were several demonstrations by radical Islamic groups in Jakarta, the country's capital, against Israel's participation in the aforementioned event.

I would have only liked to talk about the World Cup, to say that Italy deservedly beat Brazil 3-2 with a brilliant first half that ended 3-0 and could have added a few more goals, such as the difference between the two teams in that first half. In the second half, Brazil came out more encouraged trying to reverse its poor image, and succeeded in part, as it could, without fully displaying its technical richness, cornering the Azzurra and managing to cut the difference to just one goal.

Colombia beat Israel in a good way, which started by scoring first in the match. Unfortunately, the incidents mentioned above overshadowed that deserved victory, although the South American team suffered.

The date had two other matches, Japan beat Senegal 1-0 in group C which they make up together with Colombia and Israel, and finally, Nigeria beat the Dominican Republic 2-1, a match played by group D to which Brazil and Italy also belong.

Today the development of the first date continues with the debut of the European champion, England who faces Tunisia for group E and later the match between Uruguay and Iraq will be played for the same group. For group F they face first France versus South Korea and then Gambia versus Honduras.

Let's put politics and racism aside for a moment and dedicate ourselves to seeing and enjoying the future stars of the world soccer firmament.