Trying to get more people interested in football, err, soccer can be a bit tough; most people have already made up their mind about it, and nothing is gonna change it.
The fact that it's hugely popular in the rest of the world really does carry no weight with many people I know; they point out things like the Italian match fixing scandal, the riots, tragedies such as Hillsborough, etc. They are also quick to allow scandals and issues with U.S. sports such as steroids, strikes, point shaving, crooked referees, etc. to pass after a short period of time. This return to fandom comes after a point where people had said "I will never allow myself to be duped by (fill in the blank sport or team) again." Such inconsistencies are one of life's luxuries, I guess.
The one area that's a cause for concern is the issue of racism by some European football fans toward players, an area from which we've barely recovered after the Hank Aaron chase for Babe Ruth's home run record back in the early 70's; the latest incident occurred in Montenegro on Tuesday, when American DeMarcus Beasley was the subject of racial taunts during Rangers 1-0 victory over FK Zeta, though the victory was made sweeter by the fact that Beasley scored the only goal in 81st minute in a Champions League qualifying match.
I know the football authorities have made it a major point in the last few years to crack down on such stupidity, and they've done quite well in doing so, it's just still very sad to see such things happening in this day and age.
MATCH REPORT
STUPIDITY IN ACTION
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