It is what you are told from the days when your morals were being shaped in all walks of life, “respect” is a word which has been bandied about readily in an era where simple courtesy and manners have been sadly lacking by many towards our fellow man. As children, it is one of the first things we should learn and as we get older pass it down to our own kids.
Sadly there has been a dearth of respect seen in the most popular game in the world. Some would say that this is a passable soundboard for societies ills. In that case why does it take the aftermath of a tragedy, and rightful uncovering of the truth, for decency to show its face in the full glare of the media?
We have heard more than just passing comment on the term of the moment, ‘building bridges’. This is prelevant for Sunday when arch rivals Manchester United come to town. 96 balloons will be released into the atmosphere by the opposing captains in a show of humanity in the face of poisonous hatred which scarred this historic clash over the years. The shakey hand thing which has been the focus and cause of taking inter-personal feuding to the next level in the full glare of the worlds media, will take place as usual. We dont expect kisses – just respect. For the game and the occasion. I don’t need to delve into much details about the reasons for these pre-game platitudes, in respect of the Hillsborough victims.
Resentful and deeply personal chanting from the small minority on both sides about human tragedies cannot and will not be tolerated. Not just on Sunday, we need it to be eradicated from the game altogether and not let it be excused by the cowards as banter. Sure, going to the game can be great for venting your spleen at opponents, but in a footballing sense not mocking the dead.
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Our friends in the Blue half of Merseyside were first class on Monday with their touching tribute to the 96; this was an example of the fraternal bond the clubs have in times of humanistic rather than sporting nature. There is a more fulsome venom which has crept into the Liverpool/Man Utd fixture in recent years and that is why a manner of decency needs to be adhered to on Sunday by both sets of supporters. Few were more qualified to comment on our hopes for this weekend than Trevor Hicks:
‘It’s a big day on a normal occasion, and Sunday is the first game after the report. The Everton fans were absolutely magic the other night. The way they marked the report was unbelievable and I would hope that Sunday can be the same on our home ground at Anfield. It would be fitting for the memory of the 96 if it could be as it was at Everton,’ he told Sky Sports News.
‘It is non-fans, the yobbos the proper fans are there for the football,’ added Hicks. ‘Yes, we all chant, we all rant, but we can be rivals and I have no problem with that. I have friends who are Man Utd fans and we laugh and we joke and we pull each others legs, but that is where it should stop and being nasty about tragedies should stop.’
Lets just hope Sunday can set a precedent for better relations in times to come, leave your hatred at home, there is no place for it anymore.
