Updated: 19:36 EDT, 12 September 2022
The Queen’s death was announced on Thursday evening. Liverpool Football Club did not react for some time. As is the case these days, opinions, emotions, and bizarre conspiracy theories poured into the void. It is not possible to let it be. Liverpool did not comment on the matter, as it was believed that the club was afraid of offending its loyal fans who loathe the monarchy. At 8.10pm, a photograph showing Queen Elizabeth II handing the trophy to Liverpool’s captain Ron Yeats in the 1965 FA Cup final was posted with the message: Liverpool Football Club is saddened at the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. We send our deepest condolences and sympathies to The Royal Family. It is simple, respectful, and perfectly appropriate. What happened in the time between? Liverpool followed protocol and procedure. The club did not comment as there was an Operation London Bridge directive reminding them that official statements should only be made after the Prime Minister has spoken. Not all football clubs or institutions did not make Liz Truss appear outside Downing Street approximately one hour after the news broke. Some ignored the instructions. They made that decision. Liverpool is a club that values mourning, remembrance, and commemoration. It is able to act in the best way during the most difficult times. It is able to act in the best of times. The city feels angry at not only the Hillsborough cover-up, but also many socio-economic factors. It blames successive governments. It blames successive governments. There has never been any history of Liverpool fans sullying the Queen, much less of them targeting her personally. The fans may feel Scouse is not English, but Liverpool will do the right thing, and it will be doing so through jazz dance.
It can also be argued that football is the most popular sport and that any misstep could have serious consequences. So football decided to quit early in fear of offence and hoped other sports would follow its lead. It was not revealed. But those who make judgments at Liverpool will confirm the complexity of grave situations. After Olivia PrattKorbel, nine, was murdered in Dovecot (to the east of the city), the club was criticised for not holding a prematch minute of silence or remembrance. Liverpool had not been asked. Liverpool would have honored the request of the family. However, they would not attempt to intervene by contacting the family uninvited. It’s not about them. It is difficult to judge right from wrong from the outside. What gives you the assurance that the right mood will prevail? Experience has taught us that. On February 10, 2008, Manchester United marked the 50th anniversary the Munich air disaster. Some firestarter at Premier League planned the visit of Manchester City. All week, messages were sent and reinforced to try and prevent a disrespectful and unforgivable panic. But nothing happened on the day. To compliment the hosts’ red and blue scarves, city supporters held up blue-and-white scarves. Old Trafford would have heard a pin drop, given the quiet reverence. City treated United with complete disrespect when the match started. They won 2-1. Some observers felt that United was almost declawed by the courtesy, consideration and respect shown before the match. This was earlier this year, when Liverpool faced Manchester United at Anfield. This was the day after it became known that Georgina Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina had lost their baby boy. Ronaldo did not play, but Liverpool supporters began to applaud in the seventh minute as they stood by Ronaldo and his family. But that was forgotten in a collective display of humanity and empathy. This is the crowd that will ruin Queen Elizabeth II’s minute of silence. It is not just the banter and blinkers that make football fans feel this way. Who wants that? “No one likes us,” Millwall became a rallying cry. But is it true? Every club seeks respect and love from neutral observers. Imagine the terrible vortex of abuse between Liverpool and Manchester United repeated at every ground. What purpose would it serve, you ask? Yes, there are 50,000 people in the stadium. It is difficult to verify their common sense, empathy, and sobriety. It didn’t reflect poorly on the theatre that only a few people were there. It’s a free nation and they weren’t disruptive. That’s why there was such a backlash against Trevor Sinclair and Jedward. It’s not that there can never be discussions on colonialism or abolishment – both are valid topics regardless of your views – but because the Queen has just died, people aren’t in the mood to read poorly-considered tweets. Many Labour MPs, who are not monarchists, have been doing this. Jeremy Corbyn wrote that his thoughts were with the Queen’s family in their loss and with those around the globe who will mourn her passing. I enjoyed talking with her about our families, gardens, and jam-making. May she rest in peace. His tweet was published obediently after the speech of the Prime Minister on Thursday. Liverpool’s captain Jordan Henderson visited Liverpool on Monday to sign the book of condolences. Jurgen Klopp stated he supported the minute of silence, but said that Liverpool’s fans didn’t need any guidance on how to show respect. He’s correct, of course. Tonight, Sir Kenny Dalglish’s club will be silent. Its people will know what they should do. FOOTBALL Caught by SurpriseMaybe now that football has realized its mistake in postponing the schedule. There are also some marquee fixtures at risk this weekend. It is now open to outside pressure by making the game inexpensible. Fixtures at Chelsea United and Manchester United have fallen. The Queen was 96. Her death was not unexpected. It is possible that during Operation London Bridge, football could have formulated a plan of action that could be implemented without the need for any meetings or discussion. It could have been approved by the Palace and the Government. It was instead caught off guard. ROTTER SERGIO ROBS SALT IN WOUNDS Sergio Garcia is a complete rotter. He was the most proud, if not the largest, member of the LIV golf team. He took up a spot at the PGA Championship at Wentworth, and then withdrew without explanation on Thursday. He was seen smiling at the college football match between Texas Longhorns and Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday. He could have been replaced by a better-deserving PGA Tour player, who would have stayed the distance. It’s no wonder that rebels are so unpopular. JUST NOT CRICKET TO RESULT. It is strange that people love sport and still don’t understand that rules apply to sport. It was a huge disappointment that England did not beat South Africa on Sunday night. To lose by 33 runs and score at a rate 5.7 per over was a major inconvenience. It would have taken six more overs. However, the umpires took a reading on Saturday before being removed for bad light. That is the mark for the remainder of the Test. Imagine if they had continued to play, England had won, but it had rained all day Monday. South Africa would have claimed that they were denied a draw in the Test and thus a drawn series. Nobody could have predicted that there would be play on day three. South Africa needed to be allowed to have a chance at being lucky. It is not up to the umpires for a result to be produced. This is what happened at last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and it cost Lewis Hamilton his eighth drivers’ title. Hamilton wondered why F1 had not followed its rules last season, and Max Verstappen won in Monza. Every side signs up to a set protocol before the start. It cannot be that these protocols are randomly altered to create a spectacle. Hamilton wondered why F1 had strayed from its rules last season. The presumption is that referees will take responsibility under questioning. But it is unclear what this will do beyond vengeful vindication of the club that was wronged. Take West Ham’s disallowed goal against Chelsea. This was a decision that most observers found to be incorrect. What happens if the referee disagrees? What if Andy Madley stands by his decision and comes before the cameras? Jarred Gillett, VAR, brought his attention to a foul that he had missed. He stands by that decision. How many replays are we allowed to review before accepting that he made a call that is different from ours? It’s an interview, it’s not an Inquisition. We cannot torture officials as heretics until they repent. Open it up to the studio, invite the guests to participate. It’s a argument that will go nowhere unless the referee is willing to change his mind. Even if he does, what then? The game is over, the last whistle has blown. Television would love it because it puts them back at the center of the universe. But in terms of benefit to the game, there is very little. It’s a lot like VAR.
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