Redaction Simon Brett with Sean Lunt
Published on 2024-04-10 11:16:13
Manchester City faced criticisms from ABC while playing in Madrid for the Champions League quarter-final first leg clash with Real Madrid. The newspaper labeled a group of fans in Plaza Mayor as a ‘hooligan party’, despite there being no evidence of hooliganism. Fans were seen enjoying themselves, drinking and waving flags ahead of the game, which ended in a 3-3 draw. The presence of Borussia Dortmund fans added to the festive atmosphere, with local businesses and hoteliers celebrating the calmer environment compared to previous years.
ABC continued to use the ‘hooligan’ tag throughout their coverage, despite the lack of any incidents or violent behavior from the fans. The increased police presence in response to potential threats from ISIS may have helped maintain the peace, but the newspaper still insisted on using derogatory language. One waiter mentioned that the fans were primarily focused on drinking, leading to a busier than normal workday for him. The unnecessary use of inflammatory language by ABC towards Manchester City fans and other supporters raises questions about the media’s portrayal of football fans.
The newspaper’s unfounded criticisms and labeling of fans as ‘hooligans’ without evidence only serve to perpetuate negative stereotypes. The peaceful gathering of fans in Madrid was marred by ABC’s irresponsible reporting, which failed to accurately depict the atmosphere surrounding the match. Despite the increased police presence and lack of incidents, the newspaper continued to use unnecessary language to describe the fans, highlighting the ongoing issue of unfair treatment towards English teams playing abroad in Europe. The coverage serves as a reminder of the need for more responsible and unbiased reporting in sports journalism.
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