International Sports Divides the World

International Sports Divides the World

International sports are a worldwide phenomenon. Countries around the world compete against each other to prove their strengths and desire for glory. Sports fanatics travel across the globe to support their team, while unknowingly represent their own country. For example, the soccer World Cup of 2014, played in Brazil, had a record breaking of 20 million viewers just in America alone (The World Cup Final Was The Most Watched Soccer Game In U.S. History). Different cultures, people, music, and languages, conversed in the stadiums and streets of Brazil. To many, the idea of this melting pot is an extravagant concept, allowing others to view and study cultures through a different perspective. But at the end, attitudes and behaviors all come down to the winners and losers. As devoted fans, they still support their teams, sometimes through violence and racial slurs. The brutal actions performed by the fans negatively effects the relationships between countries around the world. Therefore, soccer, an international sport, does not unify, rather it divides the world.

In order to host one of the world’s biggest events in sports history, a new stadium was made in Brazil. After the opening ceremony of the stadium, many perceived the money to build the 700 million dollar stadium, a total of 11 billion dollars on World Cup, was just squandered (World Cup Divides Brazil Over Benefits, Squandered Money). With the development of this stadium, Brazil had to find different ways in order to “save money.” Therefore, to “save money,” schools were shut down, hospitals only treated children with fevers of 104 degrees Fahrenheit or more, and public transportation was hard to develop (World Cup Divides Brazil Over Benefits, Squandered Money). Unfortunately, Brazil and even neighboring countries, such as Bolivia, will be traumatized couple of years, trying to regain support for the people as well as getting the economy back on track. Despite the 1 billion people revolting against building the stadium in Brazil, the government subdued their requests and continued to build the stadium.

After the Argentina’s gusty loss in the World Cup Final against Germany, havoc and uproars occurred. Throughout multiple nights, streets were filled with angry mobs of protestors and fans. In the midst of all the chaos, armed forces and policemen patrolled around streets to establish order. “Riot police fired tear gas and rubber bullets… to restrain a group of vandals…” (Violence erupts in Buenos Aires after Argentina’s World Cup). In order to protect their children, parents hurriedly rushed off the streets with their children. As sports fanatics, it is reasonable to be disappointed in a heartbroken loss, especially after the country’s team made it to the finals, but it is unreasonable and unethical to harm innocent people. But to some, these chaotic incidents represent the support for Argentina’s national team through the tragic events. These violent actions have caused harm to people and to the rest of the fans, separating cultures and people. Consider the case between El Salvador and Honduras in 1969. “Immigration and border disputes between the two countries had reached a boiling point at the same time that a three-game elimination match between the two national teams was taking place” (The Soccer Wars). Arguments and riots between the two nations led to break diplomatic relationships. Two weeks later, The Soccer War began, resulting in 2000 casualties.

However, people believe soccer has provided enemy nations to set aside their differences during a match. USA and Iran have had a long history of disputes and arguments, but ‘magically’ in 1998, the two countries set aside