SOCCER: Two masters, God and man

Today, Sunday, I turned on Univisión and a roaring crowd. Japan was defeating Russia 1-0, and rising suns were waving all over the the Japanese fans. Then I turned on mass at San Fernando cathedral in San Antonio, Texas. Genial Father David García regretted that Univisión had cancelled its broadcast of the mass in favor of the soccer championships, which attract larger crowds and more money. No man can serve two masters, says the Bible, although people holding down two jobs disprove that. However, the TV industry had to choose between God and mammon, defined as "the false god of avarice and riches". It chose. Father Garcia smilingly said he would pray for the teams, without saying for which side. After all, the theme of his sermon was the need for forgiveness. In a famous incident in which Maradona scored a goal by using his hand, the Argentinie player said it was the hand of god, so he got away with it. In the Japan-Russia match, a Russian player crossed himself. I do not know to what effect since I do not know the final score.

Carried away by soccer emotion, I said soccer might solve the world's problems, but I have my doubts after reading the special supplement in The Economist entitled "Passion, pride and profit. A survey of football, June 1, 2002". Curiously, it involves relations with Africa, especially those of France. Its prize player Zidane is from an Algerian family. Last October France played a "friendly" match against Algeria, the first game since the end of colonial rule. The Algerians protested so violently when the Marseillaise was played that the game was abandoned. This time Senegal for the first time reached the world cup games and beat France. In 1998 when France won the world cup Paris was the scene of the greatest celebration since liberation. Now even the women of Paris look shell-shocked. This year the Swiss Sepp Blatter was reelected FIFA president despite charges of corruption. His opponent was Issa Hayatou, head of th African football confederation. The next world cup games will be played in Africa. African teams may dominate them. The political impact of this would be enormous.

Ronald Hilton - 6/9/02