Soccer

» JCofBH - Scotland, Wales et al: What's your problem?

I have absolutely no problem with the Scots not supporting England.

Yes, we are part of the same political union, Britain, and a lot of sports are played under a British flag. Football isn't, it's played according to the 4 home nations, so why should they necessarily jump on our bandwagon? They're not English.

Yes, we tend to support them when the roles are reversed, and even the Republic, but we do that as the dominant nation within the UK. As such we are more at ease sharing our support, since we do not see it as jeopardising our own identities or political position.

It's not quite the same for the other nations, and the Scottish in particular. Sport and football are opportunities for national self-expression, something that the residents of these countries have traditionally felt they've been denied within the UK political framework. I know in recent years the political context has changed somewhat, but football remains a key vehicle for asserting their national identity.

Even if you remove the political sub-text, it can also be seen as just a plain local rivalry between one small club with 6 million supporters versus the moneybags big-spenders across the way with 50 million people behind them. What's wrong with the minnows wanting the big sides to come crashing off their pedestal?

There are some Scots, Welsh and Irish who genuinely have a colonial chip on their shoulder and for that reason would likely not cross the road for an Englishman, let alone support the national side. For the most part, though, I think it's just a harmless neighbourhood rivalry that is, yes, based on history and politics, but is ultimately just a chance for folk to affirm their distinct nationalities.

By all means don't back Murray when he's playing under the saltire, he'd not expect it, but notwithstanding the fact he's representing Britain we should respect his right to distinguish his particular national allegiance when it comes to football.

-- posted by JCofBH