booing v. to boo
Definition: Booing is the act of showing displeasure for someone or something, generally an entertainer, by loudly yelling "Boo" (and holding the "oo" sound) or making other noises of disparagement, such as hissing. If spectators particularly dislike the performance they may also accompany booing by throwing objects onstage, though the objects may not be meant to physically hurt the performer. Booing can also be expressed to startle someone.
Example of booing:
A villainous character may also be booed to show a dislike of said character, rather than the acting skills of the thespian portraying him or her. Melodrama performances such as the traditional British Pantomime may encourage it, along with cheering at the hero/heroine.
Source: Wikipedia
As regular visitors to this blog will testify, I have nothing but strong contempt for the current football era with its overpaid prima donnas and fickle fans.
That is why I waste no time in condemning Arsenal’s ‘supporters’ for their continuous booing of Emmanuel Eboue during their side’s 1-0 win over Wigan Athletic yesterday.
Eboue, a first half substitute for Samir Nasri, was replaced by Mikael Silvestre in the 90th minute after being booed continuously throughout the match. Admittedly Eboue did not have the best of games for the Gooners but the booing unwarranted.
A commentator, covering the game for Asian channel ESPN Star Sports did not mince his words as the cheers rang around the Emirates when Eboue’s number was flashed on the fourth official’s board which were followed by yet more booing as the player left the field.
“The reaction of the fans here disgusts me,” he said.
“How many different professions are in this 60,000 crowd – did none of them ever make a mistake in their own walk of life? Alright, he’s had a bad few minutes but he doesn’t deserve that.”
Clearly embarrassed by the barracking, Eboue refused to sit in the dugout for the remainder of the match and instead stormed down the tunnel – something his manager Arsene Wenger understood.
"I can understand him going straight down the tunnel because the crowd were very hard on him. When you're a fan, you're behind the players and that's what you want them to do”, said Wenger.
After the game, Arsenal supporters bombarded BBC 5 Live’s 606 message board. Here is a selection of the comments condemning the boo boys.
Soon the players will want to play away from the Emirates. What good does that do for the team booing? Idiots. You can go on about paying for your ticket and therefore being able to do what you want as much as you like. Fair play, you can. You paid you can boo. You're just an idiot if you do.
I was really disappointed to be an Arsenal supporter yesterday. While we are top 4 league team I'm not sure the same could be said of the quality of our support. The extent of the booing of Eboue was a new low. Any muppet can turn up and watch a team win, supporting the team through difficult times is what real supporters do. When you see how some of the opposition in the Champions League and in the premiership come and support their teams it puts us to shame. We are a lot better than we showed on Saturday and I hope we never see a repeat of that behaviour again.
I was at the Emirates yesterday and was ashamed to be an arsenal fan with all of the booing. Eboue is a right back, he was played left wing. I have said privately that we should consider selling him but it was just crazy to boo him. You could physically see it affecting both him and the team. I think a few people need to read the definition of fan in the dictionary. It actually involves supporting your players
I must admit that the noises coming from the Emirates yesterday afternoon did not surprise me as much as the boos that greeted the final whistle of Liverpool’s goalless draw with West Ham United did on Monday night.
The Emirates stadium, like ex-Gooner Ashley Cole, symbolises everything that is wrong with the modern game. Predominantly for corporate hospitality with the regular Joes that sit in the stands being far from regular and definitely not the type of person to be christened Joe.
Their justification for the booing is that they have paid top dollar to sit in this pristine, plastic stadium and because the players are not up to their unrealistically high standards (i.e. their team is not 3-0 up in the first half hour) they behave in a manner akin to a lynch mob; baying for blood and calling for the manager’s head all at once.
However this epidemic is not exclusive to Arsenal and the Emirates. It is already common place at various stadiums across the country with fans (and I use that term very loosely) when things do not go their team’s way.
The first high profile sign of this ‘trend’ was seen back in October when Ashley Cole was booed vociferously by England supporters during the 4-1 friendly over Kazakhstan in October. The Wembley crowd did not hold back their feelings towards the Chelsea defender after he was at fault for allowing the visitors to score what would prove to be a consolation as England led 2-0. His every touch of the ball following the goal was greeted with jeers.
Whilst many revelled in the abuse Cole received which they viewed as justification for Cole’s mercenary behaviour during his acrimonious move from boyhood club Arsenal to rivals Chelsea as well as the reports of infidelity in his marriage to Cheryl Cole.
However Eboue’s plight was more a reflection on the modern football fan’s fickleness towards the players. Yes ticket prices are ridiculously inflated and admittedly the players are paid ridiculous wages but that does not excuse the type of abuse that was heard and seen at the Emirates yesterday afternoon.
Ahead of the new season the FA launched their Respect campaign which, according to their website, will ensure ‘a safe, positive environment for everyone to enjoy football’. Unfortunately the protection of players from such onslaughts as the one suffered by Emmanuel Eboue does not feature in their constitution.
Perhaps the anti-racism campaign ‘Kick It Out’ should be extended to try and eradicate the foul behaviour being demonstrated by supporters in today’s modern game.
