I Just Don't Get ItI'm alway game to try out a new show, especially the sports-themed ones. A few weeks ago, I come across this one show on The National Geographic Channel called "The Real Football Factories". All it took was one episode, and I was determined to watch the lot.
In a nutshell, the show is a documentary where the host infiltrates various organized soccer hooligan clubs, and I do mean organized. He would talk to the presidents of these "firms" in countries like Italy, Holland, Argentina, Brazil, Scotland, and a few others. Without fail, the various members of these firms would express their undying love for their club, often showing a tatoo, and then launch in a verbal, inciteful tirade on why they hate their chief rival club and their firm.
The show offers footage of firm clashes, where the two mobs convene and "fight". I'm not sure "fight" is the right word, its more than just a fight. People have died, weapons are used, and in one case, on firm had a guy who would select a victim, take him to a secluded area, and rape him. Needless to say, its both eye-openning and sickening.
After each show, I usually shake my head, then grab the remote to look for a comedy of some sort, something uplifting. Later on, I would mentally revisit the show, and proclaim "I just don't get it". I've been a rabid sports fan my whole life. But not once have I ever wanted to strike an opposing fan, nor have I witnessed such a thing.
I can only conclude that there must be some sort of sociological/anthropological scheme at play here. I'm resigned to the fact that I never will understand these firms.
But I do recommend watching. National Geographic Channel, people. Except the Scotland episode, you need subtitles to understand these guys with that speech impediment they try to pass off as an accent.
7 comments:
They didn't 'rape' me, they just got a little rough. Besides, that's the last time I wear a pink shirt to a football game!
Pink shirt? If you watch much Italian soccer, pink is the new trend. You could have claimed to be a Milan supporter.
I think it was probably my fishnets that really annoyed them...
Not really the imagery I needed right now, Darwin.
I guess I must have been sleep-commenting again.
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ericISbastrd
Darwin, you were probably channeling those wacky spirits again. You crazy wiccan, you.
No spirits for me. Not even J H Christ. Unless you are talking the alcoholic variety. But even then, I'd have to be pretty loaded to put on a pink shirt and fishnets and pick a fight with some soccer hooligans and then admit as much on your blog. Some other dark insidious force is at play here.
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