Football: The Ugly Game?
By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
Football, the world’s most popular sport, is often described as ‘the beautiful game’ but recent violent events in Amsterdam, following the Macabi Tel Aviv Ajax match on 7 November 2024, are perhaps turning football into the ugly game, with violence also on the pitch sadly continuing, from time to time.
In Amsterdam, youths on scooters were involved in hit and run attacks on Macabi supporters, who were visiting the city for a Europa League match.
They were protesting against the Israeli-Gaza war and 63 arrests were made. Five people were treated in hospital and others suffered minor injuries.
The Dutch Prime Minister described the attacks as “shocking and reprehensible” and the Dutch King, Willem-Alexander, stated that “we must not turn a blind eye to antisemitism.”
This violence has also been condemned by leaders in Europe, Israel and the United States, where President Joe Biden characterised the attacks on Israeli football fans as:
“A disturbing reminder of past dark periods of antisemitism and violence.”
On 11 November 2024, further unrest was reported in Amsterdam, when cars were attacked and a tram set on fire by protesters, who defied a ban on further Pro-Palestinian protests, criticised as inhibiting freedom of expression, and 5 more arrests were made.
Peaceful protests are one thing, but violent ones are something else.
So, the football and civil authorities, around the world, working together, should do everything within their powers to root out violence off the pitch, as well as on it, and hopefully stop the beautiful game turning into the ugly game!
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
