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Pope Francis lashes out at football hooligans and certain Argentine politicians

Monday, May 25th 2015 - 07:32 UTC
Full article 21 comments

Pope Francis has spoken out against the problem of violence in football, criticizing the role of hooligan groups within the game while admitting that he felt “used” by certain politicians in Argentina. Read full article

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  • ElaineB

    Good for him to speak out against the Barra Brava, unlike CFK who praises them.

    May 25th, 2015 - 09:44 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ChrisR

    I don't remember him being so outspoken while he was Chief Idiot of the RCC of Argentina.

    Perhaps he is dar enough away from them that he no longer feels threatened.

    May 25th, 2015 - 10:35 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Conqueror

    @2. How many times has he met with Kirchner? Hasn't he figured out that the meetings confer some sort of 'legitimacy'? He should publicly decline to meet with argie politicians again.

    May 25th, 2015 - 10:56 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ElaineB

    There was a reason CFK regarded him as an enemy before he became Pope. Because he spoke out against the Kirchners.

    May 25th, 2015 - 12:19 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • chronic

    Seems more like a willing participant/co-conspirator.

    www.transparency.org/cpi2014/results

    Internationally #107 with a 34 score.

    Enrique Massot: “Here It is, all the issues of a nation of forty-some million people explained in just seven words. We are all liars.”

    May 25th, 2015 - 01:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • CabezaDura2

    The Pope and the politicians just dont get it.

    Its not that people have “passions that spills out”... Its that they have no life, no expectations than that of seeing their team play on Sunday.

    Its the only thing they care about. All the frustrations and expectations are concentrated in the next match when you have nothing else to look forward to in the decadent and collapsing country. And when things go wrong then frustrations turn to anger and then into violence.

    And for the politicians it’s just good enough, football together with Tinelli’s show match a obscene collection of hookers and petty fights and gossip is in Argentina the “circus” and the welfare is the “bread”.
    The “circus” is the only thing that the politicians are terrified of poking during election time.

    May 25th, 2015 - 02:11 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Simon68

    4 ElaineB (#)
    May 25th, 2015 - 12:19 pm

    ...“Because he spoke out against the Kirchners.”...

    Actually Elaine, Jorge Bergoglio never spoke out AGAINST the Kirchners, only against their corruption and inane use of clientelism!!!!!

    May 25th, 2015 - 02:54 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • chronic

    6. Well said.

    There exists such a terrible gulf of a disconnect between celebrity and pedestrian that one can't truly fathom the realities of the other.

    The politician exists to acquire more power.

    The papist exists to assert more power.

    The pedestrian practices escapism to survive.

    --------------------------------------

    Enrique Massot: “Here It is, all the issues of a nation of forty-some million people explained in just seven words. We are all liars.”

    May 25th, 2015 - 03:37 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Enrique Massot

    There is more than Pope Francisco was quoted to say on the violence of the barras bravas.
    Similar to bikers and narco gangs, barras are criminal organizations that live off soccer, as illustrated in a well-researched 2011 article by The Guardian:
    “Using mob violence and intimidation, Argentina's barras bravas cream hundreds of thousands of pounds from the game every year through illegal rackets, money laundering and narcotics, underpinned by police and state corruption, and supported by the clubs and players themselves.”
    http://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/aug/21/argentina-football-gangs-barra-bravas
    It's a web of complicity that is even protected by dominant media groups such as Clarín, as shown by recent articles after River Plate players were sprayed with a sort of peeper spray. Articles concentrated in the material author, while leaving aside any questioning of the authorities of host Boca Juniors.

    May 25th, 2015 - 05:15 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • CabezaDura2

    9. And what can a useless old fart ex montonero in Canada payed by La Campora to post on international sites that reads the Guardian know??

    May 25th, 2015 - 05:36 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Marcos Alejandro

    10
    CabezaHueca

    That's right, these violent idiots barra bravas do not have a life, but after reading your comment above is clear to me that you are one of them.

    May 25th, 2015 - 07:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    OUTCH!
    Father speaks,
    Children get spanked,
    Say no more wink wink.

    May 25th, 2015 - 07:23 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • CabezaDura2

    @11
    Really, why would that touch your nerve so much ?? or is it about proyection??

    I know you are another filthy low life ex-pat supporting the Ks from England. You are probably paid by Alicia Castro too.

    May 25th, 2015 - 07:48 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Enrique Massot

    #10 C. Dura
    Apparently lacking the capacity to contribute to the debate with meaningful arguments, the poster of #10 resorts to insult and baseless allegations while hiding behind a nickname.
    I've seen occasional or new posters being ganged up by a small group of individuals who overflow this forum with insults, foul language and personal aggression against any views that are different from theirs.
    It would be unfortunate if some readers would avoid posting their thoughts for fear of being harassed by these small group of individuals attacking while safely tucked behind their anonymity.

    May 25th, 2015 - 08:02 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Alberto Bertorelli

    13 Spot on, his Beano is the Guardian.

    May 25th, 2015 - 08:12 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • golfcronie

    @14
    Tell that to your Argie poster Paulcedron, the most prolific user of offensive language on this site . say no more.

    May 25th, 2015 - 08:31 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • CabezaDura2

    14.
    And you are not worthy of debate. You dont even know Argentina you are not even Argentine at this point, and you will never be you are too old to be reasonable again, ever.

    Its very simple ex-pats like you and Marcos Alejandro make me sick defending the K regime from abroad for a pay.
    You have no credibility whatsoever for this very simple and undeniable fact.

    How can you defend the K regime and tell real argentines living here what reality is here from Canada or England??

    Retards here of late seem to think that debates are not one by calling victimization. Thats the same with Hamas, LEPRecon, Elaine, Pugol and all the other libertard brits here as well.

    “Ohhhh boo-hoo, CD called me names so then it means he has lost it”
    Errrrrr......no CD calls you an idiot because he really believes you are one.

    May 26th, 2015 - 01:56 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Enrique Massot

    #17 C. Dura
    “...you are not worthy of debate.”
    You become blind from rage when others advance arguments and you don't know how to counter them, eh?
    You would like to shut those pesky people out, eh?
    “You...make me sick defending the K regime from abroad for a pay.”
    Pay? I do not need to be paid to enjoy posting my opinion here. Being paid would ruin the pleasure of debating.
    And I do not really know why my opinions would ”make (you) sick.” Let me tell you this, sonny: your level of respect for others' opinions is running real low.
    Well. Too bad. Your statements will continue to be challenged when they so deserve. I do advice you to drink lots of milk, otherwise the stomach ulcer is coming closer by the day!

    May 26th, 2015 - 08:00 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • yankeeboy

    Reekie doesn't understand that he's a hypocrite and a filthy propagandist.

    Reekie reminds me an awful lot of Think.
    and awful lot.
    :(

    May 26th, 2015 - 02:10 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • HansNiesund

    @17

    Actually, not quite. The sure sign you've lost is when you declare that you've won. You generally start the abuse well before that.

    May 26th, 2015 - 03:10 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Enrique Massot

    Opinion poll, Clarin, May 25:
    Daniel Scioli of FpV leads with 33.1 per cent of intention of vote.
    Follows Mauricio Macri of PRO with 32.2 per cent.
    Sergio Massa is now trailing at 13.8 per cent.
    www.clarin.com/politica/elecciones_2015-encuesta_0_1362464147.html

    Scioli has gained 10 points in two months. Of course, opinion polls are just that and much could change until the October presidential election. However, the direction favours the FpV.

    Clarin, March 25:
    Macri: 26.4 per cent
    Massa: 24.2 per cent
    Scioli: 23.1 per cent
    www.clarin.com/elecciones_2015/Elecciones_2015-encuestas-Macri-Massa-Scioli_0_1327067470.html

    Not looking too well for the opposition. Many Argentines appreciate the work done by Nestor and Cristina, in spite of relentless attacks and blatant lies published by dominant media outlets.

    May 29th, 2015 - 12:40 am - Link - Report abuse 0

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