Theo Walcott in trouble

[Guerrero]

So If you went to Palarse with a banner saying "We 8 Palace" and unfurled it,do you think you would get away with it?

If you were confronted at the Amex with a flag proclaiming "We 8 gays" how would you take it? As a bit of wit?

If you stood outside John Street with "We 8 policemen" where do you reckon you'd end up.

It is done to cause a reaction,and not a nice one.
How can you possibly defend it?

 

[Leighgull]

So If you went to Palarse with a banner saying "We 8 Palace" and unfurled it,do you think you would get away with it?

If you were confronted at the Amex with a flag proclaiming "We 8 gays" how would you take it? As a bit of wit?

If you stood outside John Street with "We 8 policemen" where do you reckon you'd end up.

It is done to cause a reaction,and not a nice one.
How can you possibly defend it?

All of your suggestions had me sucking a thoughtful tooth and thinking...wouldn't Mind actually.

 

[Goldstone Rapper]

'We, 8 gays'

 

[beorhthelm]

funny how some supporters give it the large one but dont seem to be able to take a little back. someone has actually made a complaint? thats pretty petty from them.

 

[Guerrero]

Is that www.arsenal.com/fanzone/gay-gooners

 

[joeinbrighton]

A large section of football fans seem to think that, for the cost of the ticket, they get the right to hurl as much abuse at anyone they please with complete protection from anyone wanting to give any stick back. Don't give it if you can't take it.

Absolutely this. If you dish out stick, be prepared to get some back with interest and don't go crying to teacher when it happens.

 

[skipper734]

'We, 8 gays'

I don't think all 8 are, some of them are surfers!

 

[Husty]

A large section of football fans seem to think that, for the cost of the ticket, they get the right to hurl as much abuse at anyone they please with complete protection from anyone wanting to give any stick back. Don't give it if you can't take it.

And that most certainly includes our own fans.

 

[ATFC Seagull]

I think, no matter what incitement a player gets from the crowd, anything involving swearing or sexual gestures are where the line needs to be drawn - at the end of the day a player is doing it to everyone (kids etc), not just those that 'deserve' it.

But making "2-0" gestures? What a joke!

 

[Goldstone Rapper]

I think, no matter what incitement a player gets from the crowd, anything involving swearing or sexual gestures are where the line needs to be drawn - at the end of the day a player is doing it to everyone (kids etc), not just those that 'deserve' it.

But making "2-0" gestures? What a joke!

Perhaps the bloke or woman in charge of the scoreboard should be done for incitement too.

 

[Sam Ovett]

So If you went to Palarse with a banner saying "We 8 Palace" and unfurled it,do you think you would get away with it?

If you were confronted at the Amex with a flag proclaiming "We 8 gays" how would you take it? As a bit of wit?

If you stood outside John Street with "We 8 policemen" where do you reckon you'd end up.

It is done to cause a reaction,and not a nice one.
How can you possibly defend it?

People understand rivalry. Brighton & Palace have a rivalry, Arsenal and Tottenham have a rivalry. The '8' bit works in football because players wear numbers on the backs of their shirts.

The other two examples are different, given as they have nothing to do with football and instead of promoting rivalry between football teams, incites hatred for a group of people who don't deserve it.

Football players play for their clubs, become part of the club culture and allow themselves to become privvy to aspects of the club culture such as the rivalries. This means they may celebrate more after scoring against their rivals because they have achieved something more by 'getting one over' on the rival team. Sometimes things can go too far, as shown with vandalism, overly-offensive chants etc. or physical attacks.

Noone is condoning that, they are just suggesting having a banner with "We 8 Spurs" is 'banter' as it's not at all offensive.

 

[joeinbrighton]

I think, no matter what incitement a player gets from the crowd, anything involving swearing or sexual gestures are where the line needs to be drawn - at the end of the day a player is doing it to everyone (kids etc), not just those that 'deserve' it.

I see what you are saying, but by the same token, supporters making lewd and deeply personal chants towards players regarding their sexual activities, actual or invented, are directing them at the player while there are children in the ground within earshot who may end up asking their parents awkward questions as a result. Why is it right for a supporter to hurl that sort of abuse at a player when there are children present, but the other way round it is beyond the pale?

 

[ATFC Seagull]

I see what you are saying, but by the same token, supporters making lewd and deeply personal chants towards players regarding their sexual activities, actual or invented, are directing them at the player while there are children in the ground within earshot who may end up asking their parents awkward questions as a result. Why is it right for a supporter to hurl that sort of abuse at a player when there are children present, but the other way round it is beyond the pale?

Personally I don't think it is ok. But I don't think it happens much at all, not our fans. I spose the word "wanker" is used but I'd take that as generic bad language rather than a massively sexual insult.

But yeah, I agree it's both ways.

Although I still think there is a slight nuance between kids hearing it directed at someone else and having a football player direct it at them. But I do agree that it's got to be a two way thing.

 

[Guerrero]

Does anybody think that Walcott would have made the gesture to the Spurs fans if he didn't have five million police and stewards in front of him?

 

[Eksman]

Was it lil medget complaining by any chance

 

[TheJasperCo]

Did NO ONE at the very LEAST so much as scream for a policeman?

 

[El Presidente]

Did NO ONE at the very LEAST so much as scream for a policeman?

Snigger'

 

[bristolseagull]

Arsenal fans took a shirt into the ground with WE 8 SPURS on it.
It was clearly shown on ITV.
Not incitement?

Calling Spurs fans "Yids" is bad enough.
Like using the N word against blacks.

I don't support either side,but it seems that Arsenal get away with blatant racism.

Before you bother.I know.Spurs fans call themselves Yids.

Black people also call themselves the N word.
It doesn't mean everybody else can.

Everyone calls spurs Yids, not just the gooners

 

[Goldstone Rapper]

Does anybody think that Walcott would have made the gesture to the Spurs fans if he didn't have five million police and stewards in front of him?

Had he been fully fit, he probably would as he's pretty fast and could have made a quick getaway.

 

[JOLovegrove]

He is clearly just trying to wind them up. Can you imagine if Zaha/Bolasie/Jedinak did that to us if we lose at Selhurst, we would be fuming. And I mean fuming.