Good morning.
The game against Bolton was quite rightly abandoned. By the rules the game ought to be rescheduled in theory for the second Wednesday after the original which would take us to the 28th of this month.
Some perspective to those recoiling at the crass, insensitive suggestion of the football world not skipping a beat, on the 6th of February 1958 the Munich Air Disaster occured killing 23 people including 8 of the Manchester United team and 3 members of United staff.
On the 19th of February Manchester United played Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup. The last victim of the tragedy, Duncan Edwards passed away two days after that tie.
United went on to face Bolton Wanderers in the FA Cup Final and it was the Trotters that won 2-0.
Public emotion toward the depleted Red Devils understandably ran high at the time and aside from the nation wishing United well, Red Star Belgrade actually suggested that United be made honorary European Champions that year.
The Bolton legend Nat Lofthouse scored both of the FA Cup Final goals.
I’ve seen it suggested that the tie be abandoned completely and I disagree. Given the naturally sympathetic mood of the nation towards Fabrice Muamba after his miserable collapse it would be a fitting display of ‘football’ pulling together and carrying on.
1958 not 68 (picky) – but I take your point.
Not wishing to diminish the poor lads misfortune but life has to go on.
A more apt comparison may be the Hillsborough disaster – there is (rightly) no scale against which one can measure the imapact of tragedies/disasters/deaths but I feel this was of a far greater impact – and the game went ahead, for everybodies sake!In the ‘grief cycle’ scheme of things the game needs to go ahead to move into acceptance and closure. Life is sadly full of the unexpected and dealing with it is an act of strength.
A couple of years ago one of my football colleaugues was brutally murdered in a fight. He was on a life support machine for just over a week when it was switched off.
The following week we all played and won however it made a big difference to us as a team. Yes he was a good player and we missed him but the team felt it had lost something and something had died within the team.
I also agree with they should play and try and go and win it for him. You can see both sides to the arguement
I’m not too surprised to find blogs such as HH and Vital heading the ‘poop-poop happens’ approach. I’ve worked with kids who laughed upon hearing someone had died. Muamba hasn’t as yet, but will almost certainly suffer some level of brain-damage due to the length of time his heart stopped for. If Bolton pull out of the cup, it’s a mark of respect to Muamba and his family, more so than a shield for their remaining players. I’ll support whatever decision they make.
I hope not, if they beat us most will join the neutrals in wanting them to lift the cup.
What “mark of respect”? How on god’s green earth is it supposed to make a mother who might lose her child feel better, to know that her son’s employers will/will not play a match of football?
And in what reality would Muamba himself want his teammates to just give up on winning the FA cup?
Wouldn’t it be more of a “mark of respect” if they in stead decided to play out of their skins, and then dedicate WINNING THE TROPHY to him?
Bolton are just at the other end of the spectrum to your good self, clearly the opposite of ‘life goes on’, ‘win some, lose some…’, and hastily judging the levels of shock, incident or bereavement. We’ve not even cleared the possibility of total and prolonged disability yet… And should this go on so long, of course his family will say ‘No, you go on. We’ll deal with it’. And they will. And life will go on. We’re talking a couple of days. ffs. Got the time? He’s pretty much died on live tv in front of his family. You’re pretty-much comparing this to any old.
Norwegian tragedy aside.
I have never said I have a problem with Bolton postponing their game this week. My beef is with the idea of them withdrawing from the cup. I just don’t get how the people most involved (not you and me, but players and staff at Bolton) could arrive at the conclusion that throwing in the towel is the best way to honor their colleague and friend.
The game should definitely go-ahead, and perhaps also take the form of a testimonial/benefit match with all proceeds going to Muamba and his family as it is highly unlikely he will ever fully recover not to mention, play again….
That’s the best way forward for me mate. Great idea. I gather that would be allowed.
or both teams could wear specially embroidered shirts dedicated to Muamba and then auction them off, if the other option isn’t allowed….
or Arry and Jamie could do a sponsored silence, I’d pay good money for that….
Now your in the realms of fantasy. HR sponsored silence he’d raise about a quid.
Surely he has insurance?
Yeah he must, but it puts the kibush on the not playing thing.
I’m sure he has, but the gesture and the extra cash would go a long way to help the poor lad and his family…
Fair enough. I guess I don’t really care who gets the money. If the Muambas are going to be strapped for cash now, they can have the money for all I care.
In fact, if this is what it takes for the game to actually take place, I’m all for it.
Be realistic