For the first time since…
No – for the first time… I really don’t care how England get on at a major tournament.
The England team are not the problem, they’re actually quite good. Europe is the problem. Things are falling apart. I’m a “remain” voter and now I worry even more than I did before that a “leave” vote by the UK will spell serious social unrest and inflame existing divisions in other EU countries. Civil wars in the near future seem a genuine possibility to me now.
I can’t remember disruption and violence this bad at a European Championship finals or World Cup finals for a long time, if ever. It’s just not worth it. The real football fans who are there, with their face paint, spongy hats and good faith, must be very depressed. Unless they’re German or Spanish or Italian, of course, and have a realistic chance of winning the thing.
Wake me up in 2025 when the Apocalypse has blown over.
Anyone else feeling hopeless and vulnerable?
You articulate my feelings perfectly @madfox. I haven’t seen too many games, but one thing that struck me was how few women there are in the crowds. A lot of aggressive men though. The whole tournament seems surrounded by chaos, with political leaders seemingly happy to stir the pot. I’ve never known violence so organised and concerted. It all feels a bit like a test drive for the real thing.
Meanwhile, a Brexit vote could threaten my residency status here in Spain, and force me out of the home my wife and I helped to build. The kids are settled in local Spanish schools. At the very least, there is deep uncertainty about our future.
Meanwhile, in the UK, I worry what a Brexit vote will lead to. If Brexit is fundamentally a working class revolt – as John Harris rather convincingly asserted in the Guardian the other day – are the Tories equipped to carry the baton? And what happens when they drop it? The similarities between the UK and the US are uncanny. Millions of angry, disillusioned working class voters, aligning with right wing political opportunists.
It’s not all bad. Ronaldo just missed a penalty. ????
Ronaldo should be ashamed of himself after that public display of graceless petulance following the draw with Iceland. He might be a talented footballer but he is also an arsehole.
Violence and unrest at the ’80 & ’88 tournaments were far far worse. Just no 24/7 social media to report on it.
Lots of women’s and kids at three games I’ve been to. Travelling Albanian fans seem the happiest.
I think I’ve been at a different tournament to what’s been reported in the UK!
Well. You may be right. I could be seeing things through a prism of gloom. But I sense an unsettled atmosphere right now.
I’m not trying to ignore the violence that has occurred. But the fans who go there through love of the game are not newsworthy. A friend in the UK made this comment on Facebook about the atmosphere between the game between Sweden and Ireland.
“It was heart warming to witness the behaviour of both sets of fans. The Irish always enjoy the craic with without feeling the need to be belligerent towards their hosts or the opposition.”
There’s football fever here in Sweden. On Friday afternoon, when Sweden played Italy, many offices pretty much closed down so that people could watch the game.
And in our local square, a mysterious pink caravan has appeared complete a sound system that plays reggae and salsa and a television set. As you can see, a ginormous crowd gathers to watch the games.
Me too. I wake up in Brisbane every morning and the news makes me utterly miserable. I’m wondering if I’d be more or less miserable if I was actually in UK. At least there’s nobody round here to get into an argument with.
Would Brexit affect your status as a Resident Whingeing Pom? I don’t think so … no point in letting news make you miserable. Awareness and concern is enough. Subscribe to the Brisbo Argus.
I’m not here for ever. In a couple of years we’ll be back in Blighty – in Folkestone, UKIP central. ?
The Brisbo Argus is actually the Courier-Mail, owned by Rupert. Reading that makes you suicidal.
Cripes. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I wouldn’t go back to the UK even if they’d have me.
I used to think about eventually moving back, but it’s getting less appealing all the time.
I visit the UK maybe once a year and it seems worse every time. Shit weather. Way too many people. Impossible to drive anywhere and all the major cities now squalid, overcrowded ghettos.
There’s not much there to love now, except memories.
I have offspring, who, if they ever get their arses in gear (fnarr), will present me with grandchildren. That’s why we’ll be going back.
I was there in April/May. It wasn’t as bad as all that. Glad I don’t live in London any more though. To think that I travelled on the tube in the rush hour 10 times a week for 30 years…
Once you get out of the commuting habit and the general rat race it’s hard to rejoin it. One of my kids is still in London and is loving it as I once did. But there comes a point where pouring most of your income into a so-so flat seems futile.
If I could afford it I think a cottage in Cornwall would suit me.
You and Rob C should get a yurt together.
You’d hate the weather.
Well I do live in a cottage in Cornwall and for large parts of the year I would dearly love to move back to London.
I was raised in London, but rarely go back. Once every four or five years. But I still like the place and the majority of the people. Like most expats I know, the only reason I don’t live there is the weather. And the only other thing I don’t like is the (often alcohol-fuelled) delinquency. While the thing I miss most is that it’s just so darn interesting. Especially, although not only, London. So much to do! If I were rich and didn’t have to work/commute and could jet off to sunnier climes whenever I felt like it, London would be my first choice for my home base.
It can be your first port of call when you’re kicked out of Italy in the post-Brexit purge.
I’m coming to yours.
You’ll be more than welcome.
Mwah! You big ol’ sweetie you. That’s the second nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.
Ah. But I didn’t mean it when I said that … you know … the other thing … I was being sarcastic and horrible.
To confirm both of your opinions, we went, from Chelmsford, to the O2 yesterday for an all day rock festival. We found out that we only needed our tickets for the main arena, and the other stages are free so we’re going back today just for the free ones – free prog and free Wilko Johnson! Where else but London would you stumble on that?
But the train home last night was delayed half an hour at Shenfield because of a disruptive passenger and the police, who probably had better things to be doing on a Saturday night, were called. We had passed the woman on the way into the train at Startford – dressed for a wedding, barely able to stand, and almost incoherent when she talked to her friends. We took the decision, wisely it seems, to move to another carriage. I’d like to say that sort of thing is unusual, but the late night train out of London isn’t known as the Vomit Comet for nothing.
We’re only going for the free afternoon gigs today, so with any luck will avoid that sort of hassle.
You can join me down here, JC.
There’s only one house rule…everything has to be in mono!
The Euros from afar do seem dis-spiriting but I’m prepared to accept the word on the street that it’s much better than it appears on the News.
Pity, because the people we see at the games seem to be in good cheer (many women and children, too) and, despite the lack of goals, most of the matches have been pretty good.
Seems fair enough. Polperro is my favourite place in the world. Are you anywhere near there DD?
My son lives in London with his girlfriend who is from another EU country. In the event of a “Leave” vote he’s worried she’ll be kicked out of the UK. From what I’ve read I don’t think this will happen but it all seems a little confused and contradictory.
Does anyone know the answer to this?
The Leave camp has made some noises about people already in the country being able to stay. In the short term I suspect that this would be the case, if only because the most productive part of the country would fall apart if everyone was sent home overnight. Longer term, the point is no one knows. Nor is it known what access EU citizens would have to UK services even if they are allowed to stay.
Thanks, I’ll pass that on.
You’re welcome. Incidentally. a French bloke I know who has lived and worked in the UK for many years applied for British citizenship a year ago in order to avoid all the uncertainty.
Um, how about don’t fucking vote Leave? I do get a little concerned that otherwise seemingly good eggs are thinking benefit in any other decision, Rob C. (Not a jibe, just a plea for sanity. Look at who is in your crowd and despair.)
Nobody will be kicked out.
Except, er, Cameron and Osborne.
Calm down everyone, wait for the Fishing World Championships – then things will get nasty.
http://wpmedia.news.nationalpost.com/2013/07/vladimir-putin1.jpg?quality=65&strip=all&w=940&h=626
I’m interested in how England’s performance in Europe might affect the vote. Seriously! A big win against Slovakia, some chest-puffed tub-thumping from the fans, and suddenly we’re a nation that can unite despite its differences, can conquer all enemies and is the envy of Europe.
Or its an unconvincing draw, Rooney gets sent off for spitting on the ref, there’s a bit of trouble outside the ground, with fat, pissed racists chanting and fighting, and we all realise that if we leave we’ll just be this pissy little insular island nation which everyone hates, including the Scots and the Welsh.
Fortunately, it was close to the latter scenario but without the Rooney sending off and the crowd trouble.
A Brexit vote would be boomtime for those folks who make a few bob out of – ahem – “helping people through” the Life In The UK test.
Unfortunately it’s illegal so it won’t count towards GDP.