04/25/24
July 20, 2005
The Homeless World Cup is set to begin today in Scotland : I'm fully aware that by posting this I've punched my Ticket To Ride the Highway To Hell.
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY to soccer at 10:22 AM - 9 comments
I have seen some tape of it from past yearsl Seems to be a good thing!
posted by daddisamm at 10:38 AM on July 20, 2005
That is one weird story, maybe we can start one here but we would probably be sued by some human rights organization like the guys who did "Bum Fights".
posted by Astroheat442 at 10:48 AM on July 20, 2005
Nothing wrong with posting this. I mean the event has been going for years and it's not like you wrote the thing that was taking the piss out of the whole event. Maybe a link to some info about the actual event might provide some welcome context instead of introducing the topic with a column that sort of points and sniggers. I think it's an interesting idea and not at all like 'bum fights' as far as I am aware.
posted by gspm at 12:15 PM on July 20, 2005
I notice that ManU, Rangers (Glasgow, an hour away), Inverness Caley Thistle (Scottish, sure, but I don't immediately deduce a connection), Hibs and Hearts (teams from the host city) are the clubs supporting the event, but not Celtic (alongside Rangers, the other biggest club in Scotland) - those heartless bastards.
posted by gspm at 12:20 PM on July 20, 2005
As someone pointed out in the Fiver today, some of the African teams have been refused visas to Britain as they did not have sufficient funds to sustain themselves. Surely a pre-requisite for the competition?
posted by owlhouse at 02:31 PM on July 20, 2005
Yes, the players might not have funds but all of the teams have sponsors to help them attend this competition.
posted by gspm at 02:38 PM on July 20, 2005
All for the event, and agree that an article that does better than point and snigger would have been welcome. Why is it that poor humor always seems more insulting? I find the jokes in this one to be undeserving of being written by an Englishman. British humor is known for being dark and witty, where this guy is bludgeoning people with stereotypes. The "Magic Meths"?? childish at best. "White Lightning", christ, are you 70?? anyway, Funny, Ha, Ha, all homeless people are drunks and drug addicts, escpeially the ones with the wherewithall to attend this event. And thank goodness you put it in the form of a top ten list.... Oh, well, I'll feel a whole lot better when I'm making sweeping generalizations about all reporters being drunks and drug addicts, especially the on-line variety.
posted by LostInDaJungle at 03:12 PM on July 21, 2005
Hey Tex, this thread is remarkably free of idiots. Your worries appear to have been in vain! (tempts fate....)
posted by owlhouse at 05:02 PM on July 21, 2005
No, I read an interesting article about this a few weeks ago in my local paper, who are sending a team (to be slaughtered by all accounts, but nonetheless). The participants have been cleaning up (no drugs, booze) and raising money for the trip. One guy apparently spent the day after Pride Day gathering up bottles to help pay for his plane ticket. It seems like a very affirming activity and a good example of the positive impact of sport and the concept of team. It's all very uplifting in a 'Rudy meets Lean On Me' treachly way.