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Football Is Nothing..In Abidjan

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 “football is nothing”
as now and as then
lives taken homes shaken
why how and when?
passion turns to tragedy
no-one can pretend
and football
is nothing
again

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 fragile infrastructures
old stone walls
inept stadiums
unheard calls
FIFA will investigate
the true and the false

3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 feels like a lifetime
feels like yesterday
old crumbling stadia
we thought had gone away
meanwhile in Africa
time moves slow
antiquated safety measures
we can never know

4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 how did it happen
out in Abidjan
will we ever find out
will they understand?
oversight neglected
but ever close at hand
always taking second place
to our fellow man

5 Leave a comment on verse 5 0 and how did it happen
in the City of Steel ?
we’re still recalling how
next of kin feel
scarred minds sad times
memories return
Hillsborough and Heysel
images still burn
Bradford the Eighties
when will we learn?

6 Leave a comment on verse 6 0 “football is nothing”
as now and as then
lives taken homes shaken
why how and when?
passion turns to tragedy
no-one can pretend
and football
is nothing
again

Notes

“Football is nothing” Didier Drogba.
Written after hearing on the radio and reading the sad news.
To read the Guardian article please visit
Football Is Nothing – Drogba Mourns Death Of Ivory Coast Supporters The Guardian 31.3.09
This extract courtesy of The Guardian:
“.”The Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has spoken of his sadness after at least 19 supporters died during the Ivory Coast’s 5-0 win over Malawi on Sunday. The incident took place before the World Cup qualifier at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny stadium when a wall collapsed, causing panic among fans.The situation was said to have been worsened by the fact that 50,000 fans were in and around the 45,000 capacity ground in Abidjan. Drogba, who scored twice in the match, said the incident, in which at least 135 people were injured, put football into perspective.” The Guardian.

To read the rest of the article please visit
Football Is Nothing – Drogba Mourns Death Of Ivory Coast Supporters The Guardian 31.3.09

Source: http://footballpoets.org/poems/football-is-nothing-in-abidjan/