Only Women And Children Allowed At Soccer Games

Sometimes, it’s fun to go to a sporting event and get a little rowdy. When you’re feeling the electric energy from the crowd, you’ve downed a few beers and are on a bit of a sugar high, what’s wrong with letting loose?

Well, there’s a fine line to be drawn. Male soccer fans in Turkey recently caused such a ruckus at a Fenerbahce match that their very presence at games has been banned.

While closing its doors on men, the Turkish Football Association has welcomed women and children with open arms. Free of charge and for the “first time in the world, only women and children will watch a game.” This Tuesday, more than 41,000 women and children under 12 piled into the stadium to witness the Fenerbahce match against Manisapor in Istanbul.

You have to wonder: why is every man suspended under these new rules which ban men from attending games “involving teams sanctioned for unruly fan behavior?” After all, we must assume that there are specific culprits to these incidents of violence. Even though it was a mob-type scene, not all men are causing trouble. But some sort of lesson is obviously in order despite not being able to pin down the exact perpetrators.

Are women and children really more peaceful sports fans than men? They can get crazy too and young children can easily throw temper tantrums. But I really can’t see them storming the pitch like the men did. A woman’s idea of fun usually falls under the category of non-violence.

Really, it’s quite embarrassing that they were actually barred from attending games, so I’m confident that they’ll learn their lesson and encourage the players with more peaceful enthusiasm in the future. Then again, maybe they have their guy friends over and are partying with the game on while “the wife” is out. Like attending a sports event, it could be another excuse to throw caution to the wind.

Whatever they’re doing at home, it’s not the same as cheering and chanting surrounded by thousands of other fans. So let’s hope they give peace a chance so everyone can watch good matches together in harmony.

Contact the author here: tinybart@morningquickie.com