SHA Small Heath Alliance

WR Blue

Phillystine

Forgive me, but I really can't wrap my head around why players taking a water break for a couple of minutes is such an attack on English culture that it amounts to bullying or coercion. I genuinely cannot understand why anyone would be moved to booing their own team for it.

That's why I gave the wider context in my first reply to you - people are digging their heels in over the state, religion, protected minority issues etc. They've had enough of the two-tier society and I think they feel that conceding any more ground over anything at all is really not the right approach.

I used the words coercion and and bullying generally in a hypothetical/rhetorical question. I wasn't suggesting that they were the best words to use to describe what is going on regarding the water breaks. They relate to the bigger picture and I also think that the booing is linked to the bigger picture.

Carlos Costly

Why does the F.A. ban religious messaging on kits but allow breaks in play for religious reasons? Surely both should be allowed or neither allowed?

One is partisan and clearly out of order, the other is just ensuring the safety and well being of athletes who have religious beliefs that can impact them physically. I'm not sure your comparison works too well, tbh.

Carlos Costly

It's out of order to wear a 'I Love Jesus' T-shirt underneath their jersey? lmao. If it affects their health and wellbeing a bit of water and dates won't help them so that's nonsense too.

Bluesince62 F.E.A.

Personally, I think the clubs need to exercise a bit more care here as well - just don't play the effers if they are not physically prepared - that'd stop all the nonsense straight away.

Phillystine

Carlos Costly

How are they?

Do you think that a shirt with "Allahu Akbar" or "Jesus is the son of God" written over the middle is the same thing as all players taking a two-minute drinks break?

Phillystine

Like I said before - this is your belief system. I'm not going to get into arguing with it, but I find it as tricky to get my head around as devout religious belief.

ZamBlues

10/10 for brevity

(0/10 for substance)

Phillystine

I understand the points you are trying to make. I just don't see any point in getting into a debate over those aspects when our worldviews on them are likely to be completely irreconcilable. It won't make either of us feel any better.

WR Blue

Phillystine

Do you then start booing our team for taking that break? Do you decide to boycott the club for agreeing to it?

Possibly to the first. No to the boycott - as I mentioned, that's a losing tactic.

Phillystine

If people do boo, and the game continues after that, do you think the club or those players will change their arrangements?

I can't predict the outcome. But what I do know is that when a lot of things are stacked against you, standing up for what you believe in and carefully selecting the most effective way to voice your feelings is a worthwhile approach. If it's viable, voting with your wallet is often very effective but as mentioned in this instance it's a losing strategy.

WR Blue

Phillystine

Like I said before - this is your belief system. I'm not going to get into arguing with it, but I find it as tricky to get my head around as devout religious belief.

I don't think it is my belief system. I think it's your ability to get the point.

A quick example - the percentage of meat sold in the UK that is halal is way higher than the percentage of muslims in the UK. This is just one single example of the way that things are working out in the UK. It's a separate discussion regarding who is primarily responsible for things ending up being unfairly weighted in this manner, but it's irrelevant to the point I was making - which is that this example is representative of many other things in the UK and many people feel that it is time to draw a line in the sand regarding this overreach. Not because of hate or bigotry or anything of the sort, but for the future of some of the most important things in this country. The recent by-election is another ratcheting up of this feeling.

I believe the issue at Leeds is deeply linked to the issues mentioned above.