History, Soccer, and Geopolitics

“Stick to Sports!”

A phrase you hear too often, usually expressed by a middle-aged meathead when confronted by Colin Kaepernick kneeling at a NFL Game or ‘Karen’ fussing about Megan Rapinoe’s latest opinion.

It’s a reaction borne of willful ignorance, one that speaks more about the person who said it than the sports personality in question.

What’s more, it’s an impossibility. Sports, like anything in life, is inextricable from the human experience…embedded through and through with politics, societal issues, culture, religion, and economics. Sports offer a reflection of our world - whether we choose to engage at that level or not.

And worldwide, no sport illustrates this better than soccer.

I recently experienced this first hand on a cloudy Tuesday night in England. I was fortunate to attend the UEFA Champions League game, Liverpool vs. Bayer Leverkusen.

As a lifelong soccer fan, it was an amazing experience. But as a citizen of this planet with a keen sense of history, it was filled with drama, pathos, and wonder.

Walking to the stadium for the match, I was stuck by the fireworks echoing throughout the neighborhood of Anfield. As you can imagine, it was a party atmosphere. Closing in on the stadium, the crowd thickened, the music swelled, and the excitement grew. At first I thought the fireworks were part of the game day mood…but upon further interrogation I learned the truth.

November 5th is Guy Fawkes Day in England. The fireworks were celebrating the defeat of a notorious member of the Gunpowder Plot, an attempt to assassinate King James I and take over the country. In the U.S., it would be a bit like the 4th of July mashed up with the Boston Tea Party and celebrating the death of Osama bin Laden….with fireworks.

But it somehow felt right. It was a celebration of freedom over terror - a joyous remembrance of how thin the margins are for civilization. It added to the mood of the night - a community going to the match - casting a deep historical backdrop against a simple game of soccer.

But the historical undercurrents continued…

The game itself featured a team from England versus a team from Germany. Two countries that have faced each other in horrible wars multiple times. In the stadium, the visiting fans started their Germanic chants and songs, one couldn't help but think of the echoes of war cries and nationalist fervor that have plagued - and continue to plague - our world.

Yet it wasn’t like that at all. It was celebratory, singing to support your team. The Liverpool faithful and the visitors traded song after song, jeers and chants. Earlier that day I was in the Liverpool team store, rubbing elbows with German tourists who were equally excited to be there, taking pictures in front of the stadium and buying souvenir merchandise.

It’s one of the reasons I love soccer - it’s the world’s game and encourages you to step outside of your country’s boundaries and engage with history and culture. It’s the ultimate icebreaker - a great way to start a conversation with someone you meet from Mexico, Germany, Nigeria, or Portland. It truly cuts through historical and geographical distance and builds a small bridge of connection.

Of course, November 5, 2024 had additional geopolitical meaning. It was the U.S. Presidential election. Because of the time zone, I went to bed in England not knowing the results, and woke up to the cold, angry reality of what had happened.

To distract myself, I went and visited the Medieval town of Chester - touring the Roman ruins, cathedrals, and city walls. But political clouds weighed heavily on my mind…

Considering the nature of what was happening in the U.S. and the challenges I knew were coming, I recalled the game the previous night. There, as Liverpool poured goals into the Leverkusen net, the crowd sung one of my favorite songs, giving me a little slice of hope…

It was Bella Ciao, one of the perfect blends of soccer culture and political life.

Legend has it that Bella Ciao celebrates the Italian partisans who fought against Fascist forces in and around World War II. The provenance is a bit suspect, but today the song is generally recognized as a protest against dictators, bullies, racists, and authoritarian a-holes. It’s a rousing number, and very much on point these days.

Soccer fans have adopted and embraced the song across the globe, from Liverpool to my dear Timbers Army in Portland. They have changed the words, varied the pace, but the spirit and meaning of the song remain true.

How can you not be moved, overwhelmed by the intersection of soccer and history? In a short 36-hour period, I was presented again and again with stark reminders of the worst of man, as well as the joy and connection available when you step outside your comfort zone and recognize the humanity of those different than ourselves.

Blessed with perspective, I took much more from my experience than that of a simple game. I gained insight, context, and a deepened appreciation for where I was, the people around me, and the challenges that we must rise to meet.

Sticking to sports is not an option. As the man said, “Futbol is Life!”

Parting Proclamation

Words, wit, and wisdom.

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Disclaimer:

All content and opinions are solely those of the author (Jack), and not representative of my employer, former employers, anyone in Congress, my family, former college roommates, Baptists, the good citizens of Colorado, or my dog Mabel.