There's a significant difference, to me, in *fans* thinking there is some grand conspiracy against their team and actual executives/presidents/clubs claiming they're being persecuted. The first isn't ideal, but it's probably natural enough. The second is deeply irresponsible. - ThreadSky

rorysmith.bsky.social • 4 days ago

There's a significant difference, to me, in *fans* thinking there is some grand conspiracy against their team and actual executives/presidents/clubs claiming they're being persecuted. The first isn't ideal, but it's probably natural enough. The second is deeply irresponsible.

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rorysmith.bsky.social•4 days ago

What we've seen in Spain, France, Italy and Turkey isn't the same as Arsenal fans doubting PGMOL's honour. And it isn't the same as worrying that refereeing standards aren't great or that VAR has suffered from mission creep or that it's all a bit of a mess.

rorysmith.bsky.social•4 days ago

It's the deliberate weaponisation of that emotion to create a narrative on the flimsiest, and most self-serving, of evidence. It's the same sort of self-radicalisation that we see in what we'll call, because of NYT comment policy, "other spheres." They may even believe it now.

dunkarpamedorsa.bsky.social•4 days ago

The trumpification of football

rorysmith.bsky.social•4 days ago

But the end game is that fans - as they have in Turkey - stop believing that the league table is legitimate. People start to question whether what they're seeing is real. And at that point you have a sort of existential crisis, because if you don't believe any of it counts, why would you watch?

drumphiljordan.bsky.social•4 days ago

I feel like I watch match of the day and there’s as much analysis of the refereeing decisions as there is the actual game. Even soccer Saturday has a VAR expert now. I wonder how much this emphasis is influencing the fans attitudes

rorysmith.bsky.social•4 days ago

There’s also a very troubling trend in presenting all VAR decisions - even the ones where it gets the correct conclusion - as somehow controversial. You’re not denied a penalty by VAR. you’re denied a penalty by the rules.

markcoale.bsky.social•4 days ago

When futbol becomes wrestling

countrywol.bsky.social•2 days ago

When a ref gets stabbed, will it be too late? What happens when someone dies?

Also, this would make a great book: footballing conspiracies.

mattlorenzo24.bsky.social•4 days ago

As a couple have already commented here, this feels like the result of the saturation news cycle surrounding the game as much as anything.

The need to fill column inches, and 24/7 radio/TV, creates fertile ground for this kind of thing to flourish IMO.

theoilluminati.bsky.social•4 days ago

Man City getting away with financial fair play kind of doesn’t help the conspiratorial vibe in the air

andfy.bsky.social•4 days ago

we talk far more football than ever before. Most of say the BBC Football pages are now opinion based than facts. I saw one match report that said a penalty was given after the referee adjudged that a foul was committed. Too much opinion replacing facts and people moaning bias when they don’t agree

gdc27.bsky.social•4 days ago

I get the sense that some pundits feel the need to be controversial or to indulge in hyperbole just to remain relevant. Primarily in the hope of being asked back next week. And VAR and refs provide that opportunity.

thekidscallmehoju.bsky.social•4 days ago

Whilst fans/clubs promoting a conspiracy against them is orders of magnitude different.
But clubs promote this kind of thinking amongst their fans through manager interviews & its incredibly dangerous.
One day, something really terrible is going to happen. Then where will be?

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