"The key of any business is the delivery of the product to the consumer". But what happens when that product is damaged? And I'm not talking just physically. That has been certainly the question on many people's minds following the madness that ensued prior to River Plate - Boca Juniors second leg this Saturday. The Boca Juniors bus was dismantled on it's approach to El Monumental for the deciding second leg. Missiles and objects were projected at the bus shattering glass panels with Pablo Perez suffering an abrasion to his eye. Upon parking up inside the stadium grounds the driver fainted. Carlos Tevez and several others were shown to be vomiting on live television. Obviously fundamental questions such as understanding what in fact the police and stewards were doing to protect Boca are important, however the big concern for many a fan was the reported phonecall FIFA boss Gianni Infantino made to CONMEBOL chiefs. Infantino suggested should Boca not field a team the game and trophy would be awarded to River Plate. Such a decision speaks volumes of the importance Infantino and FIFA place on the rights holders enabling FIFA to extrapolate further revenues for "the house of football". God forbid should the game have been postponed all the money the all important rights holders would have lost, what would our governing body do? Then again few other non profit organizations have to worry about housing reserves of over $1bn.
The saying goes that football in a country at that time is a reflection of society at that present time. True there has been political strife in Argentina and it shows no signs of disappearing anytime soon. Whereas the past FIFA administration blazed their trail of mass corruption behind closed doors the current crop are doing right beneath our eyes. The clash between two worldwide greats should have been symbolic and echoed in eternity forever it will do now so, albeit for all the wrong reasons. Since I began writing this article it has been announced the second leg will not take place in Argentina. CONMEBOL chief, Alejandro Dominguez has spoken out denouncing the violence and informing us that the game will take place away from Buenos Aries. He also poured cold water over Boca's attempts to have their city rivals expelled from the competition. Dare I haste to add that if either of the Buenos Aries teams were not involved and should it had been in the earlier stages would the decision have been different?
England has not escaped without clamour either. One must only cast their eye back to the shameful actions of a minority of Liverpool fans who pelted the Manchester City team bus with projectiles prior to their Champions League quarter final clash in April. On the field too there have been some cases which have emerged considering the psychological state of footballers, one being Alvaro Morata. The Spaniard recently came out in the Daily Mail as having admitted to "psychological problems", understandable following his turbulent year in which his wife gave birth to twins, his move to London along with coming to terms with the shock of his best friend. Naturally the Spaniard has suffered a dip in form much to the ayre of Chelsea fans and officials who placed much trust in the striker following his initial good start to life in blue. I more than anyone realize the money several of these stars earn and the figures are eye watering. However this does not mean that we as fans should neglect our duties to support and encourage our team and individual players. Having attended several Chelsea games this season some of the abuse directed at Morata has been dispeciable. His form has been deserving of criticism however this does not give me, you or any other fans to vehemently illustrate our disdain in such a manner. Today's game and world seems to give permission for fans to act in ways they would never in the public domain.
Danny Rose during England's summer in Russia also admitted to having suffered from depression. The Tottenham left back set out the issues that had come before him in a poignant interview with the English press, at the time Rose came in for much applause and it was somewhat refreshing to have a Premier League star open up to some of the mental and emotional problems which players face in the game nowadays. Bear in mind the case of Aaron Lennon also and the great work Sean Dyche and Burnley Football Club have done to integrate him back into the footballing landscape. Kudos to all three for opening up and being the standard bearers, we need to continue to develop and realize this issue is not beyond our control and we can effect change. Clubs such as lowly Hendon in North London have taken fabulous strides in advocating mental health awareness and have received just praise. The PFA evidently can do more too. Although great work has been done by Clarke Carlisle over the past few years the stories which have emerged concerning chairman Graham Taylor's salary and the reserves of over £50 million have proven that the organization is not fit for purpose and is failing in it's mission to provide a satisfactory support system to professional players in the U.K. Graham Taylor is effectively the highest earning trade union boss worldwide.
We have come along way since the days of the Justin Fashanu and Stan Collymore debacles however clearly have a long way to go. Fans and players have never been so close with the rapid rise of social media yet they have never been so far apart. The horrendous abuse Liverpool goalkeeper; Loris Karius was subjugated to following his Champions League final mishaps was alarming. It is quite clear what sort of effect this has caused him since. Relegated to effectively third choice the German now stands between the sticks at Besiktas in Turkey. It is said in many circles the player does not wish to play in England ever again. Why do we support individual players or teams? We do so because we can relate, when they succeed we bask in glory, with the inevitable lows we experience the desolation. The fan and player were once one and symbolic of the congruent relationship that co-existed in footballing circles. The influx of money and unwelcome voices have changed the game forever although. We must not cease to relinquish the ultimate power and responsibility we inherited. FIFA and footballing associations worldwide have a lot to answer for all their shortcomings. However we as fans must reflect on our responsibilities as stakeholders. Once we come to the realization that our clubs will outlast us we can turn our attention back to the here and now. Support your players, support your club and enjoy it because for what it's worth should the proposed European Super League come into fruition we as fans will perhaps cease to exist in our current form.