There is an icy wind through the country. And that is not only due to the weather, but also to the social cold. If so many weren’t getting involved unpaid, even more would fall by the wayside – in the worst case, freeze to death on the street. Responsibility is passed on: Instead of creating conditions under which no one has to freeze or starve, the job is passed on to volunteers – who still exist despite greater flexibility, longer working hours and learning stress at schools and universities.
Football fans also do volunteer work, but the viewers of the Saturday sports show learn little about the work of organized fans. Support from fans is only one facet. There are countless initiatives that are active in their hometowns outside of the football bubble. Fan groups support the homeless by bringing them warm drinks or food or collecting sleeping bags for them. Others support projects that look after disadvantaged children or acquire money for urgently needed operations and medication.
You hardly read anything about it in Springer and Co. It just doesn’t fit into the picture of image and consorts. Lurid things about violence and Bengalos sell better, entrenched enemy images also help to maintain the black and white thinking of the asocial drunkard in the stadium. Our respect, the respect of the fans for the committed work of organized fans, is all the more important.
“Sport free!” From the fan lawyer.
