Stand Up! The controversial topic of safe standing has been talked about since the Hillsborough disaster in 1989. Since the disaster, all top flight football teams had to build seating into every stand in their ground. The ludicrous idea cost smaller clubs thousands of pounds, lowering budgets for transfers, wages and merchandise. The idea safe standing was clearly dismissed by football associations in Britain and across Europe. However a sudden uproar has resulted in a few stadiums in Britain to re-introduce standing at football games. What about changing “a few” into thousands? The situation needs to be addressed immediately, for the safety benefit to any spectators or fans across the world. Surely the associations that run the beautiful …show more content…
Fans are at a huge risk of injury by doing this, to themselves and the stewards at the game. A push or a fall in these over cramped sections would result in serious harm or death. So why are these authorities deluded to think that the seating is a positive aspect for football grounds? Statistics show that seating areas are not safer than all standing areas, meaning the argument that standing causes “hooligan behaviour” or an “unsafe environment” is completely not proven, invalid and irrelevant. FSF (Football Supporters Federation) carried out a survey in 2009. The results state “Three out of every four fans who prefer to stand at games have been told/asked to sit by a steward or police officer.” This information highlights the fact that the “hooligan behaviour” is more likely to happen at a seated section as fans could react to being told what to do while supporting their beloved football team. In comparison, safe standing gives the fans options as it provides standing rails with a pull down seat for those who prefer to sit. The stands are designed for this so they will provide enough space for sitting rather than the uncomfortable tight areas we have today. This means there will be no controversy as fans get the best of both …show more content…
The poorly made plastic seats are a huge inconvenience for this and get in the way of these “ultras” who payed good money to support and watch football. For example Borrusia Dortmund’s standing stadium “Westfalenstadion” is famously known for its famously known for its breathtaking atmosphere. The Times Magazine say that “The Westfalenstadion is a place built for enthusiasm and love.” The success of Dortmund just shows how great other stadiums can be by simply listening to the fans and building thesis safe standing stands. How hard can it be? The FSF also completed a survey which focused on over 4000 fans. “92% of fans back the choice to stand or sit. This is not just about those who prefer to stand. By giving supporters the choice, everyone benefits.” It couldn't be clearer that the fans want/need these stands. So we can create these atmospheric moments in our own stadiums. Surely you
Are young children putting their health and even their lives at risk if they partake in the sport of football? Some claim that the American sport is far too dangerous and the risk of concussions and injuries far outway the pros of the physical sport, while others insist that technological improvements and new regulations have made the sport safer. Jonathan Zimmerman, a professor of history and education at New York University, argues in his paper, “We Must Stop Risking the Health of Young Football Players,” that football is a sport that is too dangerous for the youth. He states his belief that technological improvements in helmets and changes in the rules of the sport have had little effect on reducing injuries and that nothing has worked.
…There was no question of celebration in the minds of the fans who invaded from the West end of the ground. They had violence in mind and no sooner was it offered than it was returned with enthusiasm. The brutal and disgusting scenes which followed as bottles flew and drunken supporters charged and counter-charged from one end of the field to that other, brought disgrace upon the two clubs concerned, upon Scottish football generally, and were an affront to Scotland as a nation (Murray 196).
Being a fan give football meaning and importance on why this game excites everyone. Within the colossus size of a stadium, holds the heart of the image of football. Traditionally, spectators sit on rows of seats, eating, drinking, or even talking to spectators as the game rages on in the stadium. But, not only spectators can watch these games personally up close, but they can also be at a sports bar, a restaurant, or even at their home. Tailgating is one of the most popular ways of celebrating football by enjoying the game while cooking and serving delicious food like flavorful hamburgers, grilled hot dogs, tender barbecue, and much more. Created by the loyal fans, tailgating became a part of the experience in the tradition of football. Popular events like these, creates festivities of football that no other sport can contest to emulate an immense and engaging
“The Problem with Football: How to Make It Safer.” New York Times. 28 Jan. 2010. Newsstand, Web. 28 Feb. 2012.
American football in the past several years have really developed, not only from the fans perspective but also from the players and the official heads. Safety is the most important topic talked about in all sports but it is a must in football, especially because of the way the game is played with all of the tackles and hits. It is really important not only for the players to be safe but also the officials to keep it safe. Both players and officials play a key role in making the game of football safe and interesting to watch for the fans and a great experience for the players as well. As said in the Denver Post, players are expected to play with the rules…coaches are expected to teach…and game officials to emphasize the rules. The game of football, in the NFL, is safer than it has ever been because of the rules, penalties and the equipment.
Millions of fans follow the game, attending every game as if it were some sort of religious ritual. These people might miss Church every Sunday but make sure they attend every match their team plays without fail. The stadium has become their Church where they stand in worship of their ‘Gods’. However even the sacred may lose it’s sacred status. Hamilton found that in Italy people directed their prayers at statues of the saints, if the people had been praying for pro-longed periods of time without having their prayers answered the statues were tipped on their heads and whipped.
There was a time when I played a game were a group of students, about ten of them came to support us but the other team had a whole section packed. Their chanting was louder and it affected our whole team mentally. In short there were a lot more against us than for us. The importance of fans at a game has only mattered for sports like football and basketball but fans need to show support to all sports equally.
Changes can be made to try to make the sport safer, but as time goes on players will continue to get bigger and stronger, and we can’t change the fact that it is a full contact sport. Injuries will be inevitable, some will be minor and others can be fatal. Is a human life worth less than money or entertainment? Players risk the chance of a healthy future every time they step on the field. The human body is not made to take that continuous and ferocious impact game after game. Many players sell themselves short while putting their bodies in harm’s way which increases their probability of health complications down the road. If the violent aspect of the game is not addressed, it will negatively impact the future of players and the sport. Hopefully, the studies and research that is made public can somehow find a way to make the game safer for the players. Until that day comes, football is much too dangerous and not worth the
suffer from, players should protect themselves at all cost on and off the football field which
One of the biggest controversial topics going on today is should children still be aloud to play football, knowing what we know about serious injuries? The article that I chose ( “Don’t Let Kids play football”) is about the consequences that could occur playing such a contact sport. The debate is that some people believe that football teaches important life lessons and others believe that it can cause serious life changing injuries.
The new rules to Football are much stricter than they used to be. Some rules that have changed include changes to the Red and Yellow cards, usage of a fourth referee, changing of the ball and cleats, prohibition of physical violence during games, and specific rules and regulations. Before, many people did not play Football with rules, they just played for fun, therefore the invention of the Red and Yellow card greatly advanced the competitive aspect of Football. Along with this, people did not always use the balls and cleats that we’ve used today, they used animal skins stuffed with light-weight materials and regular shoes. Now, professional Football players are required to wear specific kinds of cleats and are required to use footballs that are a certain size and meet the standard requirements. Since many people used to play for fun, there was much violence when it came to who ...
...o be a major part of life; but the hopes are that many things about football are changed in order to make the sport safer for everyone.
The topic I have chosen for research paper is HOOLIGANISM in football. Although football hooliganism only became recognized by government and the media as a serious problem in the 1960s, hooligan behavior at football has a long history. Between the wars, football generally became more ‘respectable’ and crowd problems diminished but did not disappear. As far as most football fans at top matches are concerned, hooliganism no longer seems to be a terribly serious problem. In 2000, 19% of all FA Premier League fans reported they had witnessed hooliganism or missile throwing at matches in the 1999/2000 season. When asked which are the serious problems facing the game today FA Premier League fans pointed to ticket prices, ‘big business’ and kick-off times. Only 28% highlighted hooliganism. Also, in 2001 only 7% of all FA Premier League club supporters thought hooliganism was actually increasing as a problem at football. In the Football League, hooliganism seems to be a problem around a relatively small number of clubs and specific matches. However, the NCIS annual list of football incidents seems more likely these days to involve rivals from noted Football League clubs than supporters of the larger FA Premier League outfits. (Sir Norman Chester research Centre data)
When the people try to find their seats it can be frustrating because it is dark and they do not know the layout of the arena. Once they end up finding their seats there are normally people sitting in them or they are in the wrong one and have to move.
Who are fans? Why are they around and what is their purpose? To answer that question as clearly as possible, I had to take the time to think. What kind of fan am I? Fans are everywhere. Sports enthusiasts, in particular, love a specific sport or a certain club/team. They come from every country and support every possible activity. I'd like to think that sports fans are there to support their favorite teams and show their pride. Take the world's largest sport, football (also known as soccer in the United States). This game has the largest participation in the world and has the largest fan based communities. These followers are not there just because they want to see people play; it is a way of life. Among the most predominate soccer teams is Manchester United. This English club team has the rowdiest soccer fans I have ever seen. We thought that American Football fans are crazy? Well just think about how extreme they are with their entire bodies painted and the chants and cheers to support the...