Summary of Beitar Jerusalem's 0-3 victory over Maccabi Netanya in the State Cup final (Sport1)
The obsessive preoccupation with breaking into the field of Beitar Jerusalem fans in the cup final is reminiscent once again of the authorities' detachment from the crowd. The distance between politicians, managers and judges, and the people on the ground. In the list of embarrassing incidents in Israeli football, only for this season in fact, going down to the pitch in the final is not included in the top-10. It's certainly not on the list of violent incidents. After all, anyone who has experienced going down to the field as part of a title celebration knows very well that these are pure moments of happiness. Could it be that the niggles simply forgot, or never experienced them?
Going down to the pitch and flooding it with a jubilant crowd of fans is a tradition in world sports, and not just in football. It's a familiar picture, even an accepted one. As soon as the final whistle blows, within a few seconds, the pitch fills up, floods and occupies. A commonplace, yet powerful, picture every time. Obviously, going down to the field symbolizes an outburst of emotions, but more than that, it is part of a ceremony, which is an official stamp on winning the title. After all, what does the fan want? Rejoice with the players. Get closer to them.
Also take advantage of the fact that this is an emotionally addicted audience, and then cry out about it? Football fans (Photo: Bernie Ardov)
But this is not only a joy, but a symbolic moment, part of the alliance between the fan and the team: it is a special occasion that allows the fan to break down the barrier that separated him from his heroes, cross the fence and unite with them. This completes a classic scene: a shirtless actor (snatched from him, of course) is hoisted on his shoulders, sharing the moment of happiness with the audience. Everyone is jubilant together, singing the same songs.
Usually the players do not escape to the dressing room, but are happy to take part in the ceremony. Sometimes some of them remain in only their underwear after being stripped off, generously giving even the sweaty pants to their fans, including the shoes, socks. Take it all, it's your night, ours, together. They know when they need to flee for their lives, and when there is no real danger to their safety.
Yes, the actors love it too, the friction. They're waiting for it too. After all, sometimes after a goal they themselves leap towards the stand, to physically feel this love, to share the joy, to absorb it on their bodies. That's why they chose the profession. When a boy fantasizes about being a footballer, he doesn't think about the money, the bonuses, the girls, the sponsorship deals. He wants to run to the audience.
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When they win the long-awaited title, you can understand the crowd exploding with emotion and wanting to celebrate on the pitch. Maccabi Netanya (Photo: Bernie Ardov)
Is it excessive and disproportionate? Absolutely. But the whole story is disproportionate in the first place. Singing love songs to a sports team for two hours straight is normal? Going home crying and heartbroken because of a game is reasonable? After all, everything makes no sense. It's an entire industry based on irrational emotion. So how can you also build a business model based on emotion and identification, and then be surprised that the fans are emotional?
So, for example, one can only imagine what Maccabi Netanya fans went through that evening. Fans who have been waiting for a title for decades, and once again see a trophy slipping out of their hands. When Maccabi Netanya wins the next title, can the fans be blamed for deciding to jump over the fence and go down to the grass? After all, that's the only thing they fantasize about.
And rightly so, it must be said. Celebrating fans on the pitch is a special, unforgettable moment. As one who has been through this, I will testify that the days of celebrating degrees were some of the happiest of my life. The birth of my children, for example, was an emotional and meaningful moment, but did it make me sing in the streets, hug strangers, drive in a chain of beeping cars with half my body outside the window, and come home hoarse? Not. Getting down the field is one of the most fun things I've ever done. A dream come true.
Friends, there were much worse things in this game. Zuaretz and Herzog (Photo: Maor Elkeslassy)
Is it appropriate to observe the laws? Absolutely. Is it better to maintain order, a controlled celebration, a complete separation between the audience and the actors? Probably yes. Is it a shame that the hoisting ceremony was ruined? Obviously. But you also can't take advantage of the fact that this is an addicted emotional audience to squeeze every penny out of it – and even afterwards be surprised that it's an addicted emotional audience. You also can't expect a hot atmosphere and enjoy it, and then be amazed when you act passionately.
Because if we're talking about injustices, about the people who hurt the game, what about the fact that the cup final is held in the middle of the week, at such a late hour? Why not on a day off, in the afternoon? And what about the fact that more than allowed in the stands? Isn't this a danger to lives, an organizational disgrace, an irresponsibility? And what about the fact that the line "Due to traffic congestion and long lines outside the gates, the start of the game was postponed by fifteen minutes" has become so common in Israeli sports? And how now is there talk again about returning the police officers to the courts, as if in their time there was order?
The bottom line is that the shocked reactions mostly demonstrated insensitivity with the audience, even a lack of understanding of the spirit of a fan. They illustrated the detachment, the distance, the arrogance. They mentioned how much more empathy and empathy with the fan is needed, and less criticism and hostility.
- sport
Tags
- Beitar Jerusalem
