eamaestro @ 11:17 | Feb 12, 2025
Reply to gpeace:
Yes, it would indeed be fantastic if racist behaviour didn't exist in football.
Tim Stillman writing this column didn't insert "critical race theory" into football. Brainless skin heads, far-right me...
The issue at hand isn't racism. It's just mainly an excuse for a lot of people be angry and have excuses for why their life isn't heading in the right direction and an excuse for white knights to claim virtue without actually having to anything. And they use football as a vehicle to reach those ends.
gpeace @ 08:22 | Feb 12, 2025
Reply to eamaestro:
I have another POV and believe that categories matter. There are forums for which a racial discussion is appropriate and there are forums for which a football discussion is appropriate. It's been my e...
Tim Stillman writing this column didn't insert "critical race theory" into football. Brainless skin heads, far-right media and institutionalised racism is why it exists in football. Tim is simply reacting to this pathetic behaviour.
If you are bored hearing about critical race theory in football, expend your energy trying to cancel those aforementioned institutions that perpetuate racism in football. Not the people trying to stop it.
You paint an odd scenario. If you walk into a shop and find a man shouting abuse at the clerk, and another man trying to stop him, you suggest we tell the man trying to stop the abuse that he just ignores it and moves on. "I didn't come into this shop for politics, mate. I just came in to buy a Bachelor's Beef Super Noodle".
Your ire is misdirected.
realdeanthomas @ 21:09 | Feb 10, 2025
Some of the reactions to this piece have made me reflect. It looks like there are a lot of people who take issue with discussing trends of behavior related to race i.e. comparing media attitudes to players and examining differences in how players of different ethnicities are presented positively/negatively.
To be precise - it doesn't seem like there are many folks pushing to say that MLS, in this case, has actually been treated fairly, most people appear to notice that there is a problem.
It seems like the issue is discussing the potential for racial bias at all.
Some people suggest that this issue should not be platformed here - dare I say that discussion of racism should be canceled by this platform.
The "stick to football" contingent seems not to recognize the impact this has on the game. Is it possible that our players' performance could be impacted? Or that authorities could punish our players more harshly for the same behavior as others? (e.g. more yellows, fines, or bans for something like celebrations). Are we so sure that there are no potential on-pitch consequences? If there are, should we discussed this issue? Is there overwhelming evidence for the absence of bias?
Granted we as Arsenal fans share a common love of football and Arsenal in particular - we are also a community. We are a massive community numbering in the millions in the UK and worldwide. In World War II, Highbury was taken over by the government for air raid preparation, and was bombed by the Nazis. The Arsenal had to share the stadium at WHL. If Arseblog was around in WWII and Tim put out a post discussing how our team has been getting used to the new stadium, and went on to write about the effect of the war with the Nazis on our football team, our players, and then some context about what the Nazis were... It might sound a bit strange to tell Tim to "stick to football" because we want Arsenal commentary, and also strange to reject discussion of the war that affected our whole lives, including the football, because we didn't come here for politics.
I'm really grateful for Tim and Andrew and for Arsenal. I get that some people prefer avoiding talking about race, but I would ask to learn more about why and what's bothering you - its more likely that we have far more things in common than where we differ.
To be precise - it doesn't seem like there are many folks pushing to say that MLS, in this case, has actually been treated fairly, most people appear to notice that there is a problem.
It seems like the issue is discussing the potential for racial bias at all.
Some people suggest that this issue should not be platformed here - dare I say that discussion of racism should be canceled by this platform.
The "stick to football" contingent seems not to recognize the impact this has on the game. Is it possible that our players' performance could be impacted? Or that authorities could punish our players more harshly for the same behavior as others? (e.g. more yellows, fines, or bans for something like celebrations). Are we so sure that there are no potential on-pitch consequences? If there are, should we discussed this issue? Is there overwhelming evidence for the absence of bias?
Granted we as Arsenal fans share a common love of football and Arsenal in particular - we are also a community. We are a massive community numbering in the millions in the UK and worldwide. In World War II, Highbury was taken over by the government for air raid preparation, and was bombed by the Nazis. The Arsenal had to share the stadium at WHL. If Arseblog was around in WWII and Tim put out a post discussing how our team has been getting used to the new stadium, and went on to write about the effect of the war with the Nazis on our football team, our players, and then some context about what the Nazis were... It might sound a bit strange to tell Tim to "stick to football" because we want Arsenal commentary, and also strange to reject discussion of the war that affected our whole lives, including the football, because we didn't come here for politics.
I'm really grateful for Tim and Andrew and for Arsenal. I get that some people prefer avoiding talking about race, but I would ask to learn more about why and what's bothering you - its more likely that we have far more things in common than where we differ.
eamaestro @ 12:42 | Feb 10, 2025
Reply to gpeace:
Not sure if I'm too late to the comments' party here but I wanted to say my piece too.
As a black man living in a predominantly white country and having to drive past racist graffiti, seeing hundreds...
I think that all of us have a common denominator in that we all support arsenal. If we throw in political, religion or other divise subject matters into the discussion it just divides the fan base which leaves us with yet another thing we can't unite around. Because, believe it or not, there are a huge variety of opinions on these issues.
And I'm mixed race so don't assume that my point of view is rooted in any sense of superiority based on the color of my skin.
gpeace @ 16:05 | Feb 9, 2025
Reply to stillberto:
Cheers!
As a black man living in a predominantly white country and having to drive past racist graffiti, seeing hundreds of people gather in my local city to protest immigration and bear witness to the damn-near-accepted levels of racism in football these days... I very much appreciate Tim writing these articles and Andrew publishing them.
It can be very easy for a non-white person to start assuming that all white people just feel a sense of superiority over us. That we are secondary citizens. It is an exhausting, lonely and depressing thought to have so regularly - even though I know deep down that is not really the case.
It's so easy for some people, like that other tool in the comments, to say "I'm sick of hearing about this". You know what's more tiring than hearing about it, mate? Being subject to it! Having to endure this shit. If it bores so much, how about you do something to combat it?? Because I can tell you, I'm more than just bored with it. I'm sick of it, and I'm nauseated by people like you who tell us, and people like Tim who draw attention to it, to be quiet and move on.
I think I need to stop writing here before I get too angry. Sorry, but this is a real issue for me. So thank you: Tim, Andrew and all of Arseblog for continuing the raise these issues and reminding me that not all white people want to 'send me home' (I was born in the UK anyway) or think racist chants are 'just a laugh'.
Kalpesh Khetia @ 10:26 | Feb 9, 2025
Tim, as always, you have effectively articulated the various issues within football. I hope this gains greater attention and is presented to the media and football officials, who, whether intentionally or not, seem to perpetuate a narrative that disproportionately impacts Black players compared to their white counterparts.
northbankfc @ 18:01 | Feb 8, 2025
On the button with this piece Tim. As this clip humorously summarises
https://tinyurl.com/bdpxmvth
https://tinyurl.com/bdpxmvth
homer @ 15:55 | Feb 8, 2025
(minor arse!)
Excellent piece here, Tim.
And I see today that Grahm Sourness (sp. ... dont care), that fucking prick, taking another potshot at MLS.
I reckon that if one looked long and hard enough, there exits loads of these taking the piss goal celebrations in recent (i.e., 10+) years. Why is this one getting so much attention?
Arsenal - the johnny foreigner club.
MLS - young black athlete outshining the white superstar.
Coincidence ... ?
Tim, always impressed with your essays. Keep up the good work!
Excellent piece here, Tim.
And I see today that Grahm Sourness (sp. ... dont care), that fucking prick, taking another potshot at MLS.
I reckon that if one looked long and hard enough, there exits loads of these taking the piss goal celebrations in recent (i.e., 10+) years. Why is this one getting so much attention?
Arsenal - the johnny foreigner club.
MLS - young black athlete outshining the white superstar.
Coincidence ... ?
Tim, always impressed with your essays. Keep up the good work!
hurensohn @ 14:52 | Feb 8, 2025
I actually hadn't attributed the MLS thing to race myself, probably because I'm so convinced there is a general will to either hate on or wind up Arsenal in the current climate, that I just put it down to jealously or shock-jock rage bait. I mean you can't claim race is the reason they all hate on Arteta yet they absolutely do.
On the Arsenal vs Manure live watch along Neville did on his YouTube platform they, snarled at Arteta when he came out of his technical area but then 5 minutes later Amorim did the same and Wrighty pointed out they didn't have problem with it and they just laughed it off.
Obviously, I'm under no illusions regarding the wider problem and the treatment of Sterling and Rashford in particular is absolutely absurd. I'll certainly keep a more open mind to the MLS thing now you have highlighted it though.
Thanks for the always thought provoking read Tim. And to Blogs for his willingness to host articles like this, not everyone is willing to stick their necks out so it should be commended. ❤️
On the Arsenal vs Manure live watch along Neville did on his YouTube platform they, snarled at Arteta when he came out of his technical area but then 5 minutes later Amorim did the same and Wrighty pointed out they didn't have problem with it and they just laughed it off.
Obviously, I'm under no illusions regarding the wider problem and the treatment of Sterling and Rashford in particular is absolutely absurd. I'll certainly keep a more open mind to the MLS thing now you have highlighted it though.
Thanks for the always thought provoking read Tim. And to Blogs for his willingness to host articles like this, not everyone is willing to stick their necks out so it should be commended. ❤️
stillberto @ 09:26 | Feb 8, 2025
Reply to gooder:
Regarding Tony Scholes comment, that might require more context. For instance, if he wasn't all that aware of the goal celebration and was posed a leading question asking about players mocking other ...
stillberto @ 09:23 | Feb 8, 2025
Reply to tosvenson:
Great Article Tim,
Well said… Presented the issue with clear examples and evidence. We can see it happening again..
When Haaland hit the ball at the back of Gabriel’s head, it was banter.. nobody co...
stillberto @ 09:22 | Feb 8, 2025
Reply to tosvenson:
You are talking about racism and women’s sport because that’s what you highlighted. Tim didn’t bring up women’s sport ( For equality) in this article., he only mentioned it as an example of different ...
ozgooner @ 03:02 | Feb 8, 2025
Reply to eamaestro:
Im not talking about racism. Im talking about you being banal.
- downplay an article raising awareness of potential racism in football (or generally)
- go at the owners/contributors of the site you’re actually using
Time to take good hard look at yourself mate.
realdeanthomas @ 00:50 | Feb 8, 2025
This is so important to discuss so thank you for doing this. I think it was written with a cool, calm head that showed the direct football effects AND some of the consequences in society. The way Myles has been treated is horrid, but when you look at the wider context of black players and black people in society being mistreated (so much of the time its not even on purpose, just habit or socialization) these are factual trends that lead to unwarranted yellow and red cards on the pitch and to abuse and mistreatment in the real world not only for footballers but for many of our fellow fans, friends and general people in society.
Thank you again for being on the right side of history and for standing side by side with people with common sense and empathy. Up the bloody Arsenal
Thank you again for being on the right side of history and for standing side by side with people with common sense and empathy. Up the bloody Arsenal
gooder @ 20:43 | Feb 7, 2025
Regarding Tony Scholes comment, that might require more context. For instance, if he wasn't all that aware of the goal celebration and was posed a leading question asking about players mocking other players, that would be a bit different to "what did you think of this particular goal celebration?" What was the question he was actually asked?
(I'm just thinking back to all the times some journo twit threw a question in order to trap Arteta and then blew up the minor response into some massive controversy"
(I'm just thinking back to all the times some journo twit threw a question in order to trap Arteta and then blew up the minor response into some massive controversy"
gooder @ 20:35 | Feb 7, 2025
"The framing of Erling Haaland as a wizened sage offering cool headed advice to Arsenal players in September"
wait, what? Was that really a thing over there? In that game the guy was behaving like the exact opposite of a cool-headed wizened sage. If your media was really trying to spin it the way you described, bloody hell!
wait, what? Was that really a thing over there? In that game the guy was behaving like the exact opposite of a cool-headed wizened sage. If your media was really trying to spin it the way you described, bloody hell!
gooder @ 20:30 | Feb 7, 2025
Reply to stillberto:
Yes, your assumptions are wrong. I have been watching Arsenal Ladies when i was 12. I haven’t missed a game in over four years. It was a hell of a long game if that was part of some plot to be politic...
Most of us are grateful for your coverage of our women's team, very grateful.
trailhombre @ 20:16 | Feb 7, 2025
Reply to eamaestro:
I'm not refering only to this particular essay. I find it boring in general to read midwit commentary about racial or equity issues in football contexts. It's the equivalent of listening to Piers Morg...
eamaestro @ 19:04 | Feb 7, 2025
Reply to tosvenson:
You are talking about racism and women’s sport because that’s what you highlighted. Tim didn’t bring up women’s sport ( For equality) in this article., he only mentioned it as an example of different ...
And im well aware of what biases i hold. Its just not the centre of my argument.
.
brucelee4ever @ 18:59 | Feb 7, 2025
Reply to brucelee4ever:
We use a type of positive framing at school.
However, this ❤️ and a bit of this ❤️ can go a long way.
Eloquently written and incredibly bad. All who frequent this place, know we are lucky that blogs...
Molded
brucelee4ever @ 18:58 | Feb 7, 2025
Reply to brucelee4ever:
We use a type of positive framing at school.
However, this ❤️ and a bit of this ❤️ can go a long way.
Eloquently written and incredibly bad. All who frequent this place, know we are lucky that blogs...
+sad
brucelee4ever @ 18:57 | Feb 7, 2025
We use a type of positive framing at school.
However, this ❤️ and a bit of this ❤️ can go a long way.
Eloquently written and incredibly bad. All who frequent this place, know we are lucky that blogs et al have modded it the way it is.
❤️
However, this ❤️ and a bit of this ❤️ can go a long way.
Eloquently written and incredibly bad. All who frequent this place, know we are lucky that blogs et al have modded it the way it is.
❤️
tosvenson @ 18:39 | Feb 7, 2025
Great Article Tim,
Well said… Presented the issue with clear examples and evidence. We can see it happening again..
When Haaland hit the ball at the back of Gabriel’s head, it was banter.. nobody complained.. the referees ignored. He really just lost his head.
Gabriel responds by shouting in front of Haaland’s face and Neville suddenly things it’s out of order.
The other one that stood out to me was when Bale sat on the bench at RM and ran down his contract.. The British press were not as critical… lets just imagine Rashford doing that..
Well said… Presented the issue with clear examples and evidence. We can see it happening again..
When Haaland hit the ball at the back of Gabriel’s head, it was banter.. nobody complained.. the referees ignored. He really just lost his head.
Gabriel responds by shouting in front of Haaland’s face and Neville suddenly things it’s out of order.
The other one that stood out to me was when Bale sat on the bench at RM and ran down his contract.. The British press were not as critical… lets just imagine Rashford doing that..
tosvenson @ 18:32 | Feb 7, 2025
Reply to eamaestro:
Im not talking about racism. Im talking about you being banal.
The fact that you highlighted both shows your own biases. People like you can’t contend with the reality of who you are and the biases you hold, so you make up excuses for your responses. Everyone here can see through it.
stillberto @ 18:19 | Feb 7, 2025
Reply to ollie:
Great article Tim, and so carefully and wisely worded. Top work!
stillberto @ 18:19 | Feb 7, 2025
Reply to prfeen:
Anyways Tim
Nice article
Staying silent is not an option
stillberto @ 18:18 | Feb 7, 2025
Reply to eamaestro:
Are my assumptions wrong? I'm stating the obvious. Some of the work you do is to score easy political points.
It's weird that you claim that you dont need my permission and that the world doesnt revo...
trailhombre @ 18:14 | Feb 7, 2025
Thanks Tim, very astute and well written article. However, I'd argue there's a case for giving yellow cards for excessive goal celebrations. There was a game a couple of seasons ago (West Ham?) where some bloke scored in the first five minutes and he a couple of other twats celebrated with a stupid choreographed dance like they'd just won the World Cup. Book that sort of thing.
ollie @ 17:44 | Feb 7, 2025
Great article Tim, and so carefully and wisely worded. Top work!
prfeen @ 17:40 | Feb 7, 2025
Anyways Tim
Nice article
Staying silent is not an option
Nice article
Staying silent is not an option
eamaestro @ 17:36 | Feb 7, 2025
Reply to prfeen:
Racism is political or boring or both now?
prfeen @ 17:33 | Feb 7, 2025
Reply to eamaestro:
The depth of your political thoughts warrants a weekly column on arseblog.
eamaestro @ 17:22 | Feb 7, 2025
Reply to prfeen:
Points made a bazillion times
You are sick of hearing about it.
You came here to state that reading about racism is boring for you, solved for you or never an issue.
There is nothing trivial, hac...
eamaestro @ 17:16 | Feb 7, 2025
Reply to stillberto:
That’s poor comprehension on your part and a whole bunch of assumptions on your part. I have watched it and covered it for a long time, that is all. You are the one who has subsequently sought to poli...
It's weird that you claim that you dont need my permission and that the world doesnt revolve around what i find boring. I havent claimed either of those things.
You are fighting windmills and kicking in open doors.
prfeen @ 17:16 | Feb 7, 2025
Reply to eamaestro:
Nobody has claimed that there aren't societal issues and that we should only worry about football.
The points tim are making are banal and it has already been said. It seems like Tim is patting himse...
You are sick of hearing about it.
You came here to state that reading about racism is boring for you, solved for you or never an issue.
There is nothing trivial, hackneyed trite or poltitcal about highlighting something that is wrong in our society over and over again for as long as it exists.
stillberto @ 16:57 | Feb 7, 2025
Reply to eamaestro:
Tim, im voicing my opinion that this text was boring and the reason why i think so. I'm pretty sure that ive read that you think that women football need to be promoted for equity purposes so its just...
tceyes @ 16:55 | Feb 7, 2025
Reply to stillberto:
Cheers!
I must admit tho, I hadn’t for one moment thought the celebration police clamour over MLS was a race issue. I genuinely thought it was just pundits finding another grievance against Arsenal and the temerity of an 18 yo scoring his first professional goal to celebrate in a meditation pose against the side that created the furore in the first instance in the contentious game at the etihad.
The elation of scoring (and creating a goal) is massive. Even at amateur levels I loved it. But to score what was essentially the decisive goal in a high stakes atmospheric stadium v the champions, that celebration was totally justified. This is absolutely what the game is about. Anyone else who thinks otherwise needs to ask themselves why they even bother watching the sport.
Like I said, I’m not sure the fallout is about colour but given your observations I’ll try to be more attentive to view similar occurrences from a different perspective in future.
collibosher @ 16:17 | Feb 7, 2025
Reply to stillberto:
The column is called ‘The Tim Stillman Column.’ So it reflects and will continue to reflect things i find interesting and worth saying. It is not called the ‘things I have asked eameastro’s permission...
eamaestro @ 15:50 | Feb 7, 2025
Reply to stillberto:
The column is called ‘The Tim Stillman Column.’ So it reflects and will continue to reflect things i find interesting and worth saying. It is not called the ‘things I have asked eameastro’s permission...
And get over yourself buddy. Nobody claims that you need my permission.
westsidestevie @ 15:39 | Feb 7, 2025
eloquently elucidated as always. Stillman is KING!
stillberto @ 15:32 | Feb 7, 2025
Reply to guitareth:
Tim, thank you so much for writing that. It was so well thought out and written, and needed to be said. And then I read the comment on the first arse about it. Jesus, who is this guy eamaestro?! Haven...
stillberto @ 15:32 | Feb 7, 2025
Reply to eamaestro:
Nobody has claimed that there aren't societal issues and that we should only worry about football.
The points tim are making are banal and it has already been said. It seems like Tim is patting himse...
stillberto @ 15:27 | Feb 7, 2025
Reply to eamaestro:
Enough already. I find your essays, when pertaining to the club as a football organization, to be really insightful and well written.
We get it, you are a feminist, anti-racist who loves Hector Beller...
guitareth @ 15:09 | Feb 7, 2025
Tim, thank you so much for writing that. It was so well thought out and written, and needed to be said. And then I read the comment on the first arse about it. Jesus, who is this guy eamaestro?! Haven't seen him post before but presumanly not an Arsenal fan who is just trolling. Anyway, can I just say blogs, you have my full backing if you ban this guy, as he is certainly not the sort we want amongst our community on Arseblog - most of whom are intelligent and tolerant (and not racist ;))
And Tim - please don't let these ignorant comments put you off from writing about non-tactical related issues in future. What you have said, badly needed to be said. I only wish it could have been published in mainstream media.
And Tim - please don't let these ignorant comments put you off from writing about non-tactical related issues in future. What you have said, badly needed to be said. I only wish it could have been published in mainstream media.
eamaestro @ 14:53 | Feb 7, 2025
Reply to arseblog1:
If it's boring to you, close your laptop and go about your day.
Nobody cares.
arseblog1 @ 14:48 | Feb 7, 2025
Reply to eamaestro:
Nobody has claimed that there aren't societal issues and that we should only worry about football.
The points tim are making are banal and it has already been said. It seems like Tim is patting himse...
Nobody cares.
eamaestro @ 14:45 | Feb 7, 2025
Reply to arseblog1:
Wouldn't it be wonderful to live in a world when all we had to worry about was the sport itself?
Except we don't. And we either face reality or not. Which is what this piece is about.
The great thin...
The points tim are making are banal and it has already been said. It seems like Tim is patting himself on the back for regurgitating talking points that has been made a gazillion times.
I find your reaction histrionic. I said its enough because the subject matter is boring not because I'm claiming to hade an editorial function on the website.
arseblog1 @ 14:31 | Feb 7, 2025
Reply to nahantgooner:
OK, so I made a hot mess of the tags, but you can still see what I said. Point made, and thanks.
nahantgooner @ 14:31 | Feb 7, 2025
OK, so I made a hot mess of the tags, but you can still see what I said. Point made, and thanks.
nahantgooner @ 14:30 | Feb 7, 2025
Reply to arseblog1:
Wouldn't it be wonderful to live in a world when all we had to worry about was the sport itself?
Except we don't. And we either face reality or not. Which is what this piece is about.
The great thin...
Thank you, sir, for this reminder. And thank you, Tim, for reminding us that our lives are compartmentalized into neat little boxes so we do not have to deal with some troubling things of life--especially when they leak onto the pitch (and into the media, for that matter.
Some of us get reminded every single day that we are judged by a different standard and are told to "shut up and dribble" when we mention it. So I am thankful when someone of the dominant culture reminds us that this remains an issue.
Keep up the good work, you two. Thank you for making this a place where we can all support out club. Cheers.
arseblog1 @ 14:21 | Feb 7, 2025
Reply to eamaestro:
Enough already. I find your essays, when pertaining to the club as a football organization, to be really insightful and well written.
We get it, you are a feminist, anti-racist who loves Hector Beller...
Except we don't. And we either face reality or not. Which is what this piece is about.
The great thing is, you can read the pieces you like, and ignore the ones you don't. Freedom of choice is a wonderful thing, don't take it for granted.
But you don't get to tell Tim, or me, what is 'enough' on this website. Thanks.
eamaestro @ 14:18 | Feb 7, 2025
Enough already. I find your essays, when pertaining to the club as a football organization, to be really insightful and well written.
We get it, you are a feminist, anti-racist who loves Hector Bellerin (and not for his footballing career) the environment and women football (not for the quality). It's all fine and dandy.
Although this piece is well written it is tiresome to hear yet another pundit espousing their political opinion in the guise of football commentary.
It's too bad that you are getting in to critical race studies when the matter at hand is football. Isn't the sport interesting enough?
We get it, you are a feminist, anti-racist who loves Hector Bellerin (and not for his footballing career) the environment and women football (not for the quality). It's all fine and dandy.
Although this piece is well written it is tiresome to hear yet another pundit espousing their political opinion in the guise of football commentary.
It's too bad that you are getting in to critical race studies when the matter at hand is football. Isn't the sport interesting enough?