Sports: All That Glitters Is Not Gold.

In reference to the latest news about another massacre in a football match, I have felt like looking into the role of sports in our current society. Last Wednesday, there were over 74 deaths after a football match in Port Said, in Egypt. There have been more than 1.500 violent deaths related with football until now (Report: 'Timeline: Soccer Stadium Disasters'). All of this makes one wonder about what is wrong with sport.

Being more precise, we should refer to professional sport. In many ways, sports are shown as something desirable, noble, and pretty appropriated to shape youngsters. And to some extent, that is true. But rarely do communications media present a balanced view of the issue. After all, they are not to cut the branch on which they sit, as professional sports have became a flourishing and very lucrative industry. What is more, they are thought to be one pillar of the neo-liberal mass media, trying to alienate people with this easy and passionate entertainment. Sport is like a religion in its ability to move the masses. As a result, football occupies more time in the news than economy or politics. It is the usual talking point, and the reason why people mobilise, more than anything else. All things together, football –and other major sport events- are a powerful weapon to control society, and they perfectly know it.

Carrying this issue one step further, it is worth mentioning that some social and behavioural researches have challenged the idea that sport is a positive influence on athletes, spectators, and the world as a whole. Immediately some images come to mind to support this idea: hooligans; battle fields between football supporters; fascist and racist cells embed within stadiums; etc. One of the most striking things is how presumably educated citizens turn into brutal hooligans, and even so does their children. How dreadful!

According to the mentioned researches, sports brings out the worst in people, both fans and athletes. Consequently, the growing appearance of doping and other expressions of corruption in sports are threatening its credibility. Besides, it does not improve character or help to develop virtues such as fair play and respect for opponents. And what is more, sport doesn’t make you happy. Spectators as well as athletes have higher than normal levels of stress, anxiety, and hopelessness because of their engagement with professional sport. In conclusion, if we consider all of this, it seems that sport is losing its shine and allure.