Comments on: Tottenham Use Texting Service To Eliminate Discrimination

By: Jason

Jason — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 13:47:14 +0000

The Cincinnati Bengals have something similar (they called it the “Jerk Hotline”), but when their season started going south several fans took advantage of this and starting calling the hotline and asking for Mike Brown (their GM) to be removed from the stadium for being a jerk.

Generally speaking, though, this is a pretty good idea; the ability to text makes it discreet, and having CCTV there to verify that there's legitimately a problem is helpful as well. As far as ratting out fellow supporters, I agree with Phil; if supporters don't want this in the game, then supporters need to police themselves.

By: al

al — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 13:17:18 +0000

Some of the fans were chanting genuinely homophobic things at Campbell, but the police have claimed the following is homophobic as well:

"You can stick your Sol Campbell up your @r5e,
We've got Ledley,
We've got Ledley,
We've got Ledley at the back."

Some of the eleven are being charged for singing the above. Anything that contains, "up your @r5e," is now homophobic?

By: Phil McThomas

Phil McThomas — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 13:00:25 +0000

Patrick, I hear comments via the Boro board I frequent of people "ratting" on fellow supporters with some regularity. Imagine what it would be like to be sat there with your kids, and the bloke/lady behind you is screaming racial abuse the whole game.

You have no option to relocate. So do you just take it?

You have to get out of your seat, find a steward, and point the person out. They'll likely get a warning so you'll set there with an uneasy feeling for the rest of the game.

People are constantly texting during the game so to text a seat number to the control room is a good idea. Much more anonymous that the current options.

By: patrick

patrick — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 12:19:18 +0000

yeah, snitching on your fellow support is the answer. I applaud the idea, but I hate to think what will happen you that season ticket holder once word gets out that it was he who gave up one of his own.

it is tribal business after all.