Shame

It is as disturbing as it is disappointing to notice that since this blog started its life, the proportion of time spent talking about racism has increased beyond all expectations. In fact, despite comments about ex-madridistas and their racist comments, the main culprit has been Atletico de Madrid supporters in recent matches. In the recent bout against Valencia (see previous posting), there were disturbances from ultra sections of the crowd throwing fireworks and bottles onto the pitch, as well as two disgraceful bouts of monkey chanting against Mohamed Sissoko - a fine is expected for this as well as the possibility of playing behind closed doors. This follows hard on the heels of a ludicrously low 600€ fine for chanting against Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo. Spain is almost completely CCTV free, there being legal impediments to the installation of public systems. The introduction of cameras for crowd control, as well as health and safety reasons, would seem to be a priority and could help to prevent such abuses via the threat of long suspensions or life bans for offenders.
Elsewhere, the knives are out for the dinosaurs with Raul offering himself up for sacrifice - hand me the blade - in a sycophantic piece in a national sporting daily "for the good of the club". Back to atleti then? Beckham's recent bleatings in the Spanish press about how "the best is yet to come" whiffed of panic to us here at a-m; no surprise then to hear him questioning his future at Madrid - just when he'd learnt a few words of the local lingo too. The protestations to the contrary at Madrid are all par for the course round here - expect to see him off soon. There seems to be such a tide turning against the geriatricos that there could a bit of a bloodbath in the offing. Shame.