I am a non-football-fan, just as I am a non-stamp-collector. I am, however, married to someone for whom it is of supreme importance. He avidly follows the fortunes of his club (Tottenham Hotspur), chosen during childhood because it was then his local team. But while I can dimly understand that, I have never been able to understand why anyone would support a team with which they have no connection. Manchester United has passionate fans around the world. Why?
It turns out that a large number of Palestinians are strong supporters of FC Barcelona. And now it is mixed up in Israeli/Palestinian politics.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-19861023 Quote:
Barcelona Football Club arguably brings more joy to Palestinians than any other institution in the world.
That's certainly my impression after almost three year in Gaza and the West Bank.
Every time the Catalans take to the field you can guarantee you'll struggle to get a table in the bars of Ramallah and the shisha-infused coffee shops of Gaza City...
...For Palestinians, Barca rules.
It was with some surprise then that I learned that there were calls for Palestinians to boycott Barcelona FC and in particular this weekend's showdown with Real Madrid, El Clasico.
If ever there was an institution that Palestinians might struggle to turn their backs on, I thought, it would be their beloved Barcelona.
But this is a classic example of how there are few things untouched by politics in this part of the world...
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Follow the link for the bizarre story. Will Hamas shoot themselves in the foot? What will happen if Real Madrid beat Barcelona?
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