Crass, Classless, Condescending, Juvenile: Canada Soccer
TORONTO – It seems that “modern day spin doctors”, (crass hucksters) who have seeped into the apparatus of government-backed institutions, have adopted a systematic revolution against what Soccer Legend Pele called simply, “the beautiful game” […] “soccer is life”. Everyone can play: a pair of shoes (sometimes bare feet – but not recommended), a ball (or facsimile thereof), health, heart, some open space and respect for the ability of others.
The game is a Communion of people who find “common cause” as players and/or observers and strive to interact in dignity and reciprocal respect, even as they train to win the ultimate “trophy”. In brief, soccer is a culture, a process wherein participation (the advancement of that culture), not ownership, is the ultimate prize. Like them or not, internationally recognized powerhouses of that culture – Brazil, Argentina, Italy, Germany, Spain… do not claim to own the game. What competitive event against anyone of them has [Soccer] Canada Soccer overcome that would reward it with the title “it’s our game now”?
The word none comes to mind. “It” (the culture) cannot be bought.
Its “fan base” is rarely swayed by “money or denigration of others”. Upon checking my email inbox, Friday evening, to clean out the usual “deadwood” that clutters our mailboxes, I noted a message from Canada Soccer inviting me and others to exchange my Azzurri swag for Team Canada swag – if I would only attend at a special exchange site between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM Saturday.
Readers will know that the Corriere Canadese is directed primarily (though not exclusively) to an Italian language readership. Among other topics, that readership values the Corriere’s coverage of soccer and the defense/promotion of culture reflective of the diaspora’s interests. From a personal perspective, the message assumed I was in possession of swag with which I would so willingly part; but it was directed to me as publisher of the only Italian language daily newspaper (hard copy and digital format) in North America indeed outside of Italy.
From the publication’s perspective, it seemed like the usual message by those who expect free advertising and are confused that disrespectful, low-class message depicting our readers as people who should be quickly and cheaply bought – and just as quickly discarded.
I decided to go check personally. Unfortunately, I arrived at about 11:15 AM. There (in the pic above) were no crowds, no TV crews, no Press. After circling slowly and methodically all access points and on-street parking availability, I eventually stopped in front of a building opening where a duo of young attendants (in the pic below), clad in Team Canada sweaters, met me cheerily. When I asked what the uptake on the email message had been so far, a voice from the back shouted about three hundred. If so, none of them stopped to have a coffee available in the facilities adjacent.
I questioned the wisdom of the timing of a communications strategy for such a “swap” (a thinly veiled reference to an ethnic-specific slur reserved for the intended participants), given that it was a mere 18 hrs since The Good Friday procession had wound its way in front of the premises and today (Saturday for readers) was the Easter Vigil. “Great timing”, was the gloating response.
[Soccer] Canada Soccer is presumably qualified to access the Heritage Canada Planned Resources, in Budget 2024-25, available for Sports Promotion ($253, 589, 681.00) and/or for Heritage and Celebration ($542,269,777.00).
Judging from the resounding shellacking the crude, juvenile, low class initiative received online, I wonder how many tifosi will rush to be classified as the comprati and venduti.
