The Worst Sports Match

When I was younger, I played soccer for about ten years. Despite this, I did not go to watch many live matches. In the past few years, I have started to watch some games of our local team ‘Fajiano’. Generally, it is a fun experience. Being surrounded by energetic and excited fans is a great time. The passion the local fans have always surprises me. However, the match I went to recently displayed a different side of this passion.

The recent match I went to was not one of joy, but anger. It was the first time I have seen Japanese fans booing, and loudly too. This was the fault of the referee. He gave the other team only one yellow card in the game, yet somehow Fajiano got 6-7 yellow cards (one being on the coach and another after the game was over) as well as a red card. The entire game felt like the referee was making unfair biased calls against Fajiano’s players. Most penalties were given in favor of the other team. Understandably the fans were angry. I was too. The referee’s calls were the biggest reason for the other team winning, which is a shame as both teams played very well.

By the end of the game, the fans were all booing while pulling a thumbs down gesture towards the referee. I felt like I had been transported to another country. I had never experienced such an atmosphere at a sports event here nor have I ever seen such a poor referee.  All I can say is that I hope the game can be somehow contested and replayed.

(I did not take any pictures on that day, so the blog picture is from a match a while ago)