Sports should be connecting people, but most of the time we see a total opposite. Many of us remember the violent football mentality in the UK back about 20 years ago. Just being from a different city was a reason to get some decent beating. I know fans are a topic for the whole book and they can hate an athlete without a reason, but let us look at some of the cases when the public anger is kind of “easy to understand”.
Understanding the reasons to be angry however only fuels the toxicity of social media so we go a step further. Laughing and ignoring are the 2 great steps to let the steam out. Let’s take responsibility for anonymous online discussion and stop hate speech. Let us begin…
5. Diego Madonna
The match between Argentina and England in 1986 is still emotional to the older generation of English football fans. Just by hearing the words “Hand of God” experience most of them high blood pressure and aggression attacks… and let’s not forget that it was also an offside. Yes! Diego should have confessed back then. It was a nasty way to beat England. To leave some of the steam out, I advise you to watch Diego’s short after match confession to the BBC.
4. Cristiano Ronaldo
Many believe Cristiano Ronaldo should be topping the charts. Undeniably, the sky-high ego of Cristiano Ronaldo might be irritating for many football fans. Cristiano is not in the top position because his ego is nothing more but irritating and it is not causing any real damage to the world. With a small shift in your point of view, you can see him as a sensitive child in a craving for protection. That is indeed annoying but let’s take it easy.
3. Conor McGregor
McGregor was considered to be a good showman with great fighting skills. But then he screwed things up. With Khabib he pushed the “trash talk” further than he should have. Insulting family or religion is simply not something that belongs to sports. After the Khabib “issue” he nailed it by attacking the old man in the pub followed by a significant drop in McGregor’s popularity. No legal charges followed so far.
In January 2020 we saw some shift in McGregor’s behavior and he even showed respect to Cerrone after the 40 second TKO. This leaves us with a hope for brighter days.
2. Floyd Mayweather
Money, cars, girls, jewelry and indeed his greatness. Just scrolling Mayweather’s Twitter profile gives to many of us a better kick in the morning than a double shot of black coffee. All he can brag about is self-centered, empty and meaningless. Paying too much attention to Floyd might cause a sensitive person a strong state of depression. My advice? Simply ignore him!
1. Neymar Jr.
“Do what is necessary! Score if you get a chance, fall if you have to fall!” This was a message sent to Neymar Jr. (Neymar da Silva Santos) from Brazilian fans before the 2018 World Cup. The world knows, referees know even his own fans know but he still keeps doing it. The most disgusting simulations or dives (you name it) you can imagine have spoiled many football games. Do you still believe VAR is a bad idea? Neymar’s cheating is so rubbish that even professional commentators openly express their biggest disgust. But let’s laugh even about that one. Hope the video helps you.
