Headline : Local band Electrico’s act of tearing Liverpool jersey is disrespectful to fans
There’s no doubt in my mind that all Singaporeans should stand behind the Singapore national football team which gave us unmeasurable pride and joy in clinching the title in 2 Asean Tiger Cups. However, the intention and the actions of the so called ‘patriotic’ Singaporeans football fans that emerged after the Liverpool Singapore match seems rather questionable to me.
Firstly, the match was a joyous occasion for all Liverpool fans throughout the region where they could see their heroes donning the Liverpool jersey up close. Singaporeans should be proud that Liverpool FC have chosen this country as one of the stops for a pre-season match, just like how the locals in Malaysia and China were when Man Utd visited the Bukit Jalil stadium for a friendly and Inter take on Lazio at the Birdnest stadium in Beijing. These European clubs can only play matches and enjoy themselves in Asia during pre-season, and it is the only time where Asian fans can get a glimpse of their heroes upclose in their home ground. Thus, there is nothing wrong with the passionate support and enthusiasm that the fans have for their clubs.
Next,the reasoning that Singaporeans weren’t patriotic ‘because many were supporting Liverpool instead of Singapore‘ is skewed and narrow-minded. In truth, the 40000 odd people flocking to the national stadium came to watch Liverpool and it just happened that the opposition was our national team. This was precisely what gave many people a chance to exploit and sensationalise a false reasoning of patriotism that they themselves do not uphold in the first place.
In all, it is disappointing to see that an occasion like this is being used as a tool to justify claims that is unfair to those who just wanted to watch the team they support playing in Asia and cheering them on in their home ground.
