Popular Sport: Football

Why is football such a popular game around the world? Yet another tournament has started and millions of supporters from many countries are discussing the chances of one team over another, the form of the top teams and who the favourites are (and the underdogs too). The lucky fans who have tickets are packing their bags with shirts and flags and scarves of their nation's colours. The unlucky ones are glued to the television. Even those who aren't that interested in the game find themselves involved in predicting the results for the office competition (I'm betting on the host country). And there'll definitely be no escaping from the media coverage, commentary and publicity that makes it the news event of the month. Famine? Forest fires? Fighting? Forget it. It's football, football, football. It's certainly a lively and colourful spectacle. There's the opening ceremony, the fireworks and speeches; and exotic performances for the closing ceremony. There's a bizarre looking mascot (usually some kind of fruit or animal / person) and fans covered in face paint. There is tension and tears on the pitch, and everybody loves it!

Phew! So how did this happen? What is it about twenty-two grown men running around a rectangular piece of land trying to get a ball from one end to the other? Why has it become the sport of the world? It's everywhere! From domestic league competitions (like La Liga and the Premiership) and international events (The European Championships, the Copa America, the Asia Cup, the African Nations Cup) to the champion of championships the World Cup itself. Football is a global phenomenon. It is lucrative too. It's big business: many teams are quoted on stock markets around the world and huge sums are paid by satellite TV companies. Perhaps it's the simplicity of it all. You only need a ball, a few friends and a patch of ground - in the street or on the beach or at school. And, despite the off-side rule, it's easy to learn the rules: pass, kick and shoot. Goal! I may not know the difference between an assistant referee and a linesman, an indirect and a direct free kick but I'll be shouting loudly for my team.