Bloody ‘ell Timbo. I take a little break to get over a broken nose (yes football related – elbow in the face from one of my own team mates no less) and you go all controversial.

Lets get a few things straight – as an Englishman living in the US I have a totally different perspective from many on here; both sides of the coin so to speak. Many that play for the England team are utter c*nts – no question. John Terry is possibly one of the most despicable excuses for a human out there, but I still root for England because it’s a national pride thing; it’s where I’m from and part of my identity. I know many back in Blighty that refuse to support the team for a multitude of reasons, and others that are not English that support England for their own reasons too. For me it’s England first, US second – not because I dislike the US, but I come from England and so it came before my love for the US. Does that mean I’m anti-American? Bollocks – I defend the States against many of my mates back home because often their opinions are based on what they see on TV and not from actually visiting the US.

In my opinion it’s absolutely fine for any American to not like the England football team, hell I can’t even tell you why I support the team sometimes… Rooney – a great talent, but a hot tempered diver with a foul mouth and no respect for others. Gerrard – a great talent but a diver and prone to hissy fits. I could go on…and on and on. There is much to dislike in the squad, but we all share the same birthplace and so have that tenuous link in common.

The bottom line is that sport is an allegory for war – and the world cup always opens old wounds. Europe has for most of its history been fighting amongst itself. Nationally speaking we take the piss out of the French because of the history, same with Germany, less so with Spain but you get the idea. Argentina is hated because of the Falklands war and Maradonna’s hand of god, but notice how the English don’t really attack the Dutch?

The US is no different – many on the West coast look down on other States – Texas for instance, which is like another country compared to California both in it’s world view and topography. It’s down to the history between them, maybe not centuries of conflict, but instead decades of politics. American’s fought the English for their own country by ripping off the French who pretty much funded the war of Independence, and since Britain has become somewhat of a whipping boy for the US because of it’s financial power many miss the days of Empire when Britain ruled the largest most diverse land Empire in history because we were very good at making spiffy boats.

America has it’s own political and economic empire: however, now that China owns almost all of US debt (every man, woman and child in the US owes China $60k) and is becoming the next superpower in it’s own right the US will soon get first hand understanding of how it feels to be yesterday’s news. Don’t jump up and down on me for that – I’m just stating fact. This is why the Brits can be sensitive about our ‘special’ relationship with the US. Soon America will have one with China and I suspect many American’s will come to understand what it’s like to be the ‘ex’ chosen ones.

If you don’t want to support England – fine. The whole “Anyone but England” thing was started by some Scots trying to make some cash using a big dose of sarcasm and capitalizing out of Scotland’s failure to make the World Cup – it probably wouldn’t have happened if they’d qualified. No one I know takes offense, it’s no different to my “We hate Tottenham and we hate Tottenham” T-Shirt. However, the English press used this as a way of whipping up a story to sell papers the same way that they keep banging on about the Cesc to Barca rubbish. It’s your choice as a free thinking individual to believe this bollocks or not.

Just because you don’t like a particular national team does not make you a racist, or even Xenophobic. If you don’t like a team that’s your right. I currently don’t like France because I think Domenech is a knob, but used to like them when they played wonderful football. In the current squad are many Gooners/ex Gooners so I have sympathy for their plight, but I knew they’d go out and took a teensy bit of pleasure in their meltdown. Does that make me a racist?

I think that everyone just needs to take a deep breath and relax a little. This tournament is supposed to be a global celebration of the beautiful game, but there are those out there that live to use anything possible to create friction. Why? Because some people just want to laugh at stirring trouble – it’s that simple. They get a kick out of turning people against each other.

I’m an Arsenal fan, but I have mates that are supporters of ManYoo , Chel$ki, Portsmuff, LeedzZzZz, Citeh – yes even the spuds. Does that mean I should hate them personally? Don’t be fucking ridiculous. Does it mean I give them shit and they give me shit? Absolutely! Will I allow it to effect my friendship with them? No. If you are the type of person that hates someone because of their team, then you are the same type of individual that can easily be persuaded to hate a person because of their race/religion/skin color or something equally stupid like them being a Ginger (before anyone throws a fit – my sister’s a Ginger and I have it in my beard too).

I have friends that are German, Italian, American, French, Chinese, Japanese, Estonian, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, Mexican, Cuban, Peruvian and just about every nation in-between. I consider myself lucky that I have these friends because they have shown me the wonders of their own cultures, foods and beliefs. They always force me to see the world as it is – one tiny spec of a planet in a fucking big Universe. I watched the England vs. USA match in a room with half Brits and Half Yanks – we gave each other grief all throughout the match, but it’s all in the name of the GAME!
We all have far more in common then we have differences, anyone that say’s “if you aren’t from N. London then we don’t want/need your support” is probably a narrow minded twat that’s never been outside of Norf London except to go to the Costa Del Sol or somewhere else that’s pretty much a Brit holonny (holiday colony – Ibiza is another one). I’m from South London (Arsenal’s ORIGINAL home) – does that mean I can’t support them? A famous Gooner, Nick Hornby lived MILES outside of London, does that make him less of a supporter?

Personally I pity anyone like that for their lack of vision and exposure to diversity, it’s very dull locking yourself to one world view when there’s so much out there. My advice; don’t let them get to you. There are people like this all over the world, they’re generally the same people that like to stir the pot because they are incapable of seeing anyone’s opinion but their own. It’s their loss, they miss out on the wonder of another culture and will probably die having only seen one tiny slice of the world and it’s infinite possibilities. I bet that moron that made the statement about N. London loves a good curry (Indian) and washes it down with a Stella (Belgian) and is therefore a fucking hypocrite of the highest order.
There’s nothing you can do about ‘em sadly – just let them live in their shoebox, while you and I enjoy the world.

Nuff said – c’mon England you bunch of bloody chokers! Pull your finger out… failing that – c’mon USA!