More people should read this, and just Est Em in general. The "Football Ultra" culture is real and most often a shame on the country of the relevant fandom. Maybe things have calmed down from the state they were a few decades ago, but the violence, the mobs, the abuse of fan's girlfriends and wives due to a team winning or losing still continues. Alongside assumptions that a person must have this religion, vote for this political party etc simply due to what top their wear. Then you have the homophobia in football.
So yeah, it's nice to see the author create two redeemable characters, who just love their sport and can accept "the other side". The teacher character educates his students to not be intolerant based on what team (their parents told them to) support.
Was a nice positive spin, recognizing the cultures negatives, but showing characters who are more like your everyday fan than the ultras who destroy cities on match days.
More people should read this, and just Est Em in general. The "Football Ultra" culture is real and most often a shame on the country of the relevant fandom. Maybe things have calmed down from the state they were a few decades ago, but the violence, the mobs, the abuse of fan's girlfriends and wives due to a team winning or losing still continues. Alongside assumptions that a person must have this religion, vote for this political party etc simply due to what top their wear. Then you have the homophobia in football.
So yeah, it's nice to see the author create two redeemable characters, who just love their sport and can accept "the other side". The teacher character educates his students to not be intolerant based on what team (their parents told them to) support.
Was a nice positive spin, recognizing the cultures negatives, but showing characters who are more like your everyday fan than the ultras who destroy cities on match days.