Crio’s Q: Buy Local!

 

“I can’t believe any Englishman wants a foreigner as manager of our country, I can’t believe there is one out there!”

“We’ve had enough of these foreigners, they ain’t got no passion, no commitment. All they want is the money.”

“Englishman in charge of England.”  (Barry Fry, after Fabio Capello’s resignation, in support of ‘arry)

(Here’s a link….    http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/barry-fry-weve-had-enough-of-these-foreigners-all-they-want-is-money/)

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Xenophobia is defined as “an unreasonable fear of foreigners or strangers or of that which is foreign or strange.”[1] It comes from the Greek words ????? (xenos), meaning “stranger,” “foreigner” and ????? (phobos), meaning “fear.”

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When Adelaide went looking for a Coach, Scotty Burns became favourite based on his SANFL origins.

Brenton Sanderson got the gig. He is “connected”.

Woe betides anyone who is not!

When Mickey Arthur was appointed Australian Cricket Coach there were those who rued the choice.

Why?

 

TRUE  -Barry Fry is media gold

TRUE  -There’s a strong case for Harry Redknapp to become England Manager

But there’s an awkward sub-text lingering beneath the hyperbole.

Politically it can be opportunistic; even dangerous…in degrees it floats between “identity” and “supremacy”.

In sport, does it matter?

Is it parochialism, good sense, or racism?

Comments

  1. Crio – please. Lets no go down the racism road because a “foreigner” copped a bit os stick. People often want one of their own simply because they can at least guarantee that the appointee will have the required passion. Its also a familiarity thing. Not racism.

  2. Crio, I think parochialism is always a factor in sporting organisations. It comes with the tribal outlook.

    The ex-champ, the faithful retainer, all have powerful emotional sway when it comes to dispensing largesse.

    The better organisations know how to balance passion with the requisite knowledge and skills.

    Sometimes the situation demands an outsider. I suspect that played a role in Mickey Arthur’s appointment.

    The obvious AFL example Here is Collingwood. But Carlton and Essendon also fit. Different circumstances, same choice.

  3. Cut it out Dips. You’ve seen “The Sun” etc…it is a racist campaign. I happen to reckon they might as well have an English lamb anyhow.

  4. The racism in this situation is more out of ignorance than anything – and the ignorance of the English when it comes to football outside their country can be staggering. Have a listen to the UK radio station ‘Talksport’ online the next time England gets knocked out of a major tournament too early for the liking of their supporters, and you’ll be laughing your head off.

    I listened to it for about a week after their exit from the last world cup, call after call of astonishing stupidity and antique arguments – about passion, hard work, ‘wanting it’ etc. Push through the one sensible caller an hour who recognises that England doesn’t have players with the proper technique or tactical nous, and enjoy the ride.

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