The beautiful game (Football in General)

Member Name: ajbluestar

Product:	Football in General
Date:	30/03/09 (65 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: best sport in the world, great competitions, brings people together, sense of belonging, team spirit

Disadvantages: too much money at the top?

Football is widely recognised as the most popular sport in the world and it is definately my favourite sport by a long way! 11 men versus another team of 11 aim to score by putting the ball in to a goal (one at either end) using any part of their body except their arms and hands (usually feet or head). A goalkeeper stands in either goal and is the only one allowed to use their hands to stop the ball from going in to the goal. The game was invented in England and the laws of the game introduced in 1863 by The Fa (Football Association) set the way the game was to be played. Internationally football is governed by Fifa (Fédération Internationale de Football Association (International Federation of Association Football).

The most well known competition in World football is the FIFA World cup which happens every four years where 32 national teams compete to win the prestigious trophy.

Football has been referred to as the beautiful game. It is certainly a beautiful game but it's reputation recently especially in the top leagues with the top players has been a little tarnished with the money involved in the game at the top level. With players earning in excess of £100,000 a week and ticket prices to attend games rising all the time it has been said that traditional fans have been priced out of the game and players just care about the money now and don't have as much passion for the game.

I think this is somewhat true and this is reflected in some of the top teams ticket prices with premier league tickets costing in the region of £40 and upwards at Chelsea. Man City have also recently been overtaken by an arab group and have tried to buy top players- trying to really throw money around-. The prime example was £100 million to try and lure Kaka but he refused. Some players like Kaka seem not only worrried about money but have a commitment to a club that really made them as a player as well as being at an already succesful club instead of moving somewhere where the future is a little uncertain to say the least even though the money is around. He seems to be one of the exceptions though as players who you would expect to stay at one club for most or all of their careers are less common these days.

Aside from this football is still such a great sport, watched and played by millions worldwide. I have been a spectator in a few stadiums in England including Stamford Bridge , Wembley , Ashton Gate (Bristol City), The Emirates as well as the Bernebau in Madrid where I saw Zidane and Beckham playing. I would like to continue visiting various stadiums in England and worldwide as well as I am a huge football fan! Its great watching the top players play in the best arenas but its also good sometimes to see football at lower levels and see the effects of football for children. It brings communities together, it helps kids stay out of trouble and provides great exercise.

It is still a beautiful game!

Summary: Best sport in the world!