Riots Ruin Revelry

Barcelona! Barcelona! Barcelona! The smiles are wide, the laughter is frivilous and hugs are flowing like water but all is not as it seems. This blogger feels a sense of disappointment. More than 150 people were injured and 23 were sent to hospital after riots broke out in Barcelona, police arrested 134 people. I am now shaking my head in shame.

I know that there is a hidden culture among football fans, well not so much hidden anymore thanks to documentary's on the subject but football has become a religion and a violent one. Of course, every celebration starts out peacefully and then turns into a Marilyn Manson concert.

Shortly after midnight, dozens of young over-excited fans started clashing with riot police, throwing bottles and burning public bins. Police formed a barrier around Las Ramblas, one of the city’s main streets. They set up barricades to protect shops and fired shots in the air as youths started to charge at them.

I ask with tears in my eyes, is this a civilized society? You're team won, have a couple of celebratory beers, shout and scream WHOOHOO, hug a few friends till your blue in the face and then go home, quietly and peacefully. There really is no need for this kind of behaviour. Personally, this outbreak of unnecessary violence has soured the win for me.

Anyone hear about the Kenyan man that hung himself after his team, Arsenal, lost a game in the Champions League against Manchester United? I see a problem here and a very big one. Football has been taken to a whole new level and to be honest, I don’t like this. So the next time you watch your team win or lose, be a gentleman or gentlewoman and accept defeat graciously or celebrate by sharing the great feeling of joy inside you, positivity spreads like wild fire.

To quote a used and tired cliche, "Violence is never the answer!", still rings true doesnt it?