footballspectator

This evening I had the privilege/chance (depending on what you think of their style of play) to watch Chelsea play Werder Bremen at Stamford Bridge. I made my way across London during my lunch break to pick up the tickets. In the queue in front of me was a man, who politely asked the at the box office how much a ticket cost. The box office attendant told him the price and then asked where the man was from. “Germany” the man replied, to which the box office attendant said, “Sorry sir then I can’t sell you a ticket for security reasons“. The man clearly disappointed walked away.
Now to me this rule seems a joke. First, not all Germans support Werder Bremen, just like not all Englishmen support Chelsea. They might not mind sitting with Chelsea fans. They may actually be Chelsea fans who have come to support their fellow countryman, Michael Ballack, a Chelsea player. Second, if the man had said he was Swiss, Austrian, Dutch, or whatever else, he would have got his tickets. Why? because the man at the box office did not ask for proof - he just accepted whatever answer was given. He asked me my nationality and just bought my answer. So come on Chelsea, drop this stupid rule before your next home Champions League match and let people of all nationalities enjoy the spectacle. The irony is that there are “Kick racism out of football” ads displayed everywhere at Stamford Bridge…