The Old Firm

One of the key themes of Foer's book How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization is the failure of globalization. In the country of UK, there are two rivalry teams. They are so deeply rooted against each other politically, religiously, culturally, and ethnically that sectarian violence often results from their soccer games. Which ironic because they both play soccer and living in the same country. The Celtic team represents the Catholic, the Irish, and more Republican ideology. While the Rangers team represent the more Protestant, the English, and more Conservative ideology.

The name Old Firm represents the old rivalry of these two soccer teams since the late 1800's. I agree with Foer that soccer is a failed medium to globalize the two rivalry clubs. For over a century of playing against each other, they still haven't hate each other any less, and fans had to get the Parliament to pass the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Act to regulate religious hatred and hooligan violence in football games.  Oddly enough, the games actually makes UK citizens want to hate each other more. If one were to attend one of Old Firm's games, you will instantly see the Celtic side of the stadium waving the Irish flag and the Rangers side of the stadium waving the Union Jack flag. The rivalry is so political that you have no choice but to choose side, and by doing so you make yourself an eternal enemy of the opposite team. It's really hard to find a middle ground, unless of course you are an atheist independent American. In which case you will probably be hated by both side.

I don't think soccer is the globalization solution to this rivalry problem between the Catholic Irish and the Protestant English. In fact, it actually entices it. Soccer in this circumstance actually removes some of the nationalism feelings and intrigues tribalism for the sake of entertainment by media corporates. The media is always finding and fueling conflicts such as these sport rivalries to makes money off viewers who pays money to watch these sorts of violent entertainments. It pulls uninvolved fans of soccer into a sectarian conflict. Unlike the Olympic Games and the Super Bowl which kind of brings people of diverse backgrounds together, the Old Firm divides the people of UK. When we watch the Olympic Games on NBC, we see athletes of different countries have friendly but very competitive matches against one another. They always smile, shake hands, and enjoy playing or competing against each other for their country. Sometimes they hangout and explore the hosting country’s fun venues together.  The Old Firm however, games occasionally end up in brawls or riots; revenge violence for losing the game or offensive slangs.  Bar fights and vandalism; can’t believe all this comes from soccer.  It’s the exact oppose of the Super Bowl.

But that’s no reason to hate soccer, it’s still a fun sport, just don’t expect it to make peace between the Celtic fans and the Rangers fan.