A slightly sickly start for all those who think the nation cannot accommodate other nationalities (or for those who make money from winding their largely less fortunate target audience up before going home to their mansions).
The home nation’s culture should be identifiable and their own, but there is no problem with supporting a different nation to the one in which you live. The majority should be fans of the home nation – that's part of the fun, especially when you win – but a variety of support is a source of fun, not problems. If you are a moron hooligan, someone looking for trouble, you'll find it and probably don't really support a team you claim to anyway. If someone from a different culture celebrates on a day different from you, how about two days to celebrate together rather than one? Done right, differences can then be a source of unity rather than division. If you need dissent over something as relatively - in the big scheme of things - trivial as a game then you have a problem. If you can, rather, approach it in a good spirit, it makes the game more enjoyable than one where you give or receive a bottle to the head. Games that mean something – despite the tension before and during and deflation if you lose – are always more enjoyable and anticipated; in a way like horror film or roller-coaster, but somehow more enjoyable nonetheless. That tension is not a reason to maim or be maimed. You need someone to play against, and if you can't face them competitively on the field without feeling that some element is missing - again, that's your problem. This isn't about war, immigration, the fact you hate your job; nor is it a good excuse for getting drunk and beating your wife and smashing up your or someone else's home. Make no mistake, feelings run deep – no more than with the Italians – but let's keep some perspective. If you want remain proud of your country and team support them and then protest where and when it really matters, and where and when it can actually make a difference: vote Berlusconi or UKIP or don't, or ballot your MP, but let differences be what they can when done right – a source of unity, not division.
