When protests end up shaking football
In different parts of the world, hundreds of citizens have taken to the streets to protest about the different disagreements they have with the government. From pension reforms to the abuse of power by military forces, people paralyze the streets of major cities to claim their rights.
Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona. / Photo: Pixabay
LatinAmerican Post | Laura Viviana Guevara Muñoz
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Leer en español: Cuando las manifestaciones sacuden al fútbol
Due to these protests, several sectors have been affected; like tourism, the economy and even sporting events. Football games and football in general have also suffered the consequences of these demonstrations.
Therefore, from LatinAmerican Post we tell you how football has also become a space for denunciation, either by players or by fans, against what is happening.
Chile
The protests in Chile were one of the firsts to explode in Latin America, since October 6 Chilean students called on citizens to go out and protest the rising price of subway tickets. However, this demonstration grew like a snowball and triggered several reforms by President Sebastián Piñera.
Ya son 54 días de manifestaciones en Chile… A esta hora se desarrolla la marcha denominada "Mujeres por la vida" en Santiago. pic.twitter.com/LQRfXTBOgw
— Mario Solís Cid (@mariosoliscid) December 10, 2019
Well, following the protests, the first division of the football league is canceled since October because of the events. In addition, during the FIFA date of November, the Chilean national team decided not to play the friendly match. According to the player Charles Aránguiz, "the match between Peru and Chile should not be played because what is happening in the country is quite serious," in statements collected by RPP.
Comunicado oficial sobre el partido de #LaRoja ante Perúhttps://t.co/9gA6jytsFi
— Selección Chilena (@LaRoja) November 13, 2019
Bolivia
After a turbulent election in which Evo Morales was not recognized as president, and most of the candidates or rulers belonging to the MAS (party associated with Morales) were dismissed or forcibly removed by the angry Bolivian population, the country is shaken in a political and social crisis.
SIGUEN LAS MANIFESTACIONES EN BOLIVIA
Bolivianos manifistan entonando cánticos en defensa del voto y en rechazo al fraude electoral, en el hotel Real Plaza de La Paz #Bolivia, en donde opera el centro de cómputo de votos del Tribunal Supremo pic.twitter.com/BMRhUV04Vg— Sol Rojas (@sol651) October 23, 2019
After Morales's resignation as president, the continuity of Bolivian football was also affected. For more than a month the first division of this sport was suspended since the conditions were not stable or safe for the players. It was not until November 21 that the Bolivian Federation of Soccer and Aggregated Soccer Players of Bolivia reached an agreement to be able to play the remaining ten dates starting on November 27.
CAMPEONATO CLAUSURA CONTINUARÁ EL MIÉRCOLES 27 DE NOVIEMBRE
El Comité Ejecutivo instó a todos los clubes a efectuar las acciones necesarias y pertinentes para el desarrollo de los encuentros deportivos.
Entérate de todo, aquíhttps://t.co/Bi2w93S7EW#FBFtrabajando pic.twitter.com/gz5unN8VNA
— Federación Boliviana de Fútbol (@FBF_BO) November 21, 2019
Read also: 5 teams that do not know the Second Division
Colombia
The expected 21N (November 21) came with a massive demonstration against the government policies of President Iván Duque. That same day, thousands of citizens joined the 'cacerolazo' not only from their homes but also moved along the main roads of the cities at night.
No tengo palabras ante tanta dignidad :’) solo mucho orgullo #Cacerolazo #21N pic.twitter.com/bF8DXEaLXy
— Malú Bode H. (@MaluBodeH) November 22, 2019
This day also showed the union of different Colombian teams' hooligans, something rare to see for their constant friction, compromised by the situation in the country. In addition, and despite the fact that the Colombian league games were not canceled, several fans who attended the stadiums shouted harangues supporting the national strike.
Las barras futboleras también están diciendo presente en el #21Nov Siempre habrá un motivo para unirnos como país y en paz pic.twitter.com/6smugxwSw9
— Carolina Castellanos (@Carito1929) November 21, 2019
Spain
The long-awaited classic between Real Madrid against Barcelona could not be played on the established date, on October 26, 2019. All because of the tension that exists in the Catalan region sponsored by the independence movements, which took the streets of the main cities of the region.
For this reason, the classic was postponed and rescheduled to take place on December 18, perhaps thinking that by that date the protests will decrease, and perhaps, they will have disappeared to return to normality. Well, the independentists asked to make seedlings outside the Camp Nou and in areas adjacent to the stadium, and, according to Moncloa, the participation would reach 18,000 protesters.
El clásico se jugará sí o sí, según presidente del Barcelona
El directivo anunció que el partido vs. Real Madrid, del miércoles próximo, no se aplazará de nuevo.https://t.co/QEOMgGhHJP
[@futbolred] pic.twitter.com/Zt43bPpIp7— N A T H A (@NathaOfficial_) December 13, 2019
It should be noted that Tsunami Democràtic, in an interview for the program 'El Món a Rac1', affirms that this initiative was not proposed by them but that it has contacted the teams so that “the field is a clamor with the message 'Spain, sit and talk'”, according to Sport.
So far, the classic would take place. However, Real Madrid has already ruled, and if they see that their players can be at risk, they would not transport them to the stadium.
És molt fàcil que el partit es jugui amb normalitat: cal garantir la presència del #SpainSitAndTalk a les grades i al terreny de joc.
Aquesta és la proposta que li hem fet al Futbol Club Barcelona.#LaForçaDeLaGent https://t.co/xe7dHHxS9y
— Tsunami Democràtic (@tsunami_dem) December 10, 2019