Taboo or not Taboo
|18:11 UK time, Thursday, 4 March 2010
The English boo, the French whistle, while Madristas are more likely to wave a white handkerchief. So John Terry heard some boos at Wembley, and Thierry Henry some whistles in Paris, as England and France played World Cup warm up matches on Wednesday night.
Terry was jeered when his name was announced before England's 3-1 victory over Egypt, and then again intermittently throughout the early exchanges. The deposed captain brushed off the criticism and said "Everyone's entitled to their opinion" as he recovered from a slow start to put in a strong performance in his first international since news of his alleged affair with the ex-partner of Wayne Bridge became public knowledge.
The French do it too
Henry was whistled as he was substituted by Raymond Domenech midway through the second half of France's defeat to Spain. Short of game time for Barcelona, Henry struggled through the match, and was punished by the home crowd who may also have been passing judgement on his dubious handballed goal which sent France to the World Cup Finals.
It's not the first time Henry has experienced the sensation at the Stade de France. He took the same philosophical line as Terry after the match when he said that if "you don't play well, you have to expect being jeered at."
What's better than a boo ?
But do you? Isn't a supporter who goes to a ground to boo his or her team not breaking the Trades Descriptions Act? If you are unhappy with the conduct or form of a member of your side, then how about staying away from the game or tempering the enthusiasm you would normally show for their performance?
But if my washing machine isn't performing as well it should, I hear you cry, I take it back to the shop for a refund, and as that is not an option at a football match, I have a right to register my disapproval! It's a persuasive argument, but I do think the culture of jeering is getting out of hand.
Do all fans really know why they are booing someone, or are they just delivering the lines expected of them like an ensemble in a play? You don't need to put these highly paid stars on a pedestal if you don't want to, but at least show them the respect they deserve for reaching the very top of their profession.
Call me, and let me you know what you think, from 1730 GMT this Saturday on Sportsworld Have Your Say.
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