Originally Posted by RockyRaccoon68:
“I can completely understand why a nationalist might not feel represented by the Northern Irish team and that's fine. However, a statement like "I will be supporting anybody playing NI" in my opinion is quite bitter and intolerant. You are in essence saying you would rather any other team in Europe did well against a team that represents the people you live side by side with every day, a team that is made up of players who were potentially born just down the road from you. Instead you'd rather a team made up of players born 1000 miles away would win just to make sure "the other side" don't have something to celebrate. Exactly the attitude that keeps this place in the dark ages.
Since it's apparently an issue of representation, can I ask why you feel better represented by Poland, Ukraine and Germany?
I sure hope both teams from this great little island do well in the tournament and I'll be cheering on the both of them. It's not about "being represented" for me, it's about seeing a group of local lads going out to do their best on the international stage. Who cares what their opinion is on the border? There's more to life than that!
At the end of the day it's your prerogative to decide who you support but I can't follow your reasoning. "They don't represent me therefore I'll support Poland, Ukraine or Germany who obviously represent me so much better" - it doesn't make any sense.
#GAWA #COYBIG”
I had deleted that part of my post but a poster retweeted it in a knee jerk reaction to go down the sectarian route. I don't feel represented by NI opponents in any way and never actually said that I did.
Upon reflection I should have placed a large number of smileys after my brief post abut supporting Poland to indicate that it wasn't meant to be taken as anything more than banter. I didn't realise Norn Iron fans were so thin skinned.
At least you have the grace to acknowledge that having a different opinion doesn't make one sectarian.