Rob: Hello, I'm Rob and this is 6 Minute English and I'm joined this week by Jennifer. Hello
Jennifer.
Jennifer: Hello Rob.
Rob: This week we're discussing sport and politics and questioning if the two subjects mix
- should they influence each other? We'll also be looking at some words and phrases
linked to these issues. I know Jen is a bit of a sports fan and you support a wellknown
football club don't you?
Jennifer: Yes I do. Sunderland Association Football Club based in the north east of England.
Rob: Of course Sunderland football club has been in the news because of the political
views of its new manager. More on that in a moment, but shall we start with a
question?
Now you will know Sunderland football club formed in 1879 but it's not the world's
oldest club – do you know which is the world's oldest football club? Is it:
a) Sheffield FC
b) Manchester United
c) Blackburn Rovers
Jennifer: I'll go for a) Sheffield FC.
Rob: Well, I'll let you know the answer at the end of the programme. But now let's kick
off - or make a start with our discussion about sports and politics. The British
football club, Sunderland, has had a number of recent poor results and this has led
to the appointment of a new manager called Paolo di Canio – but his new role has
become a political football.
Jennifer: That's a good phrase – you mean it's become an issue that is continually being
debated but left unresolved. You could say it's an issue that gets kicked around – like
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a football! And it's an issue not because of his sporting expertise, but because of his
political viewpoint.
Rob: Of course having a new manager in any situation can be a real game-changer. In
other words, introducing someone new to a situation can change the performance of
what you are trying to do. In this case, it's hoped Paolo di Canio will change the
fortunes of – or improve the situation - for Sunderland.
Jennifer: Ah well, that's a good thing but it's the issue about his political views that most
people seem to be talking about. Some people are uncomfortable about his
appointment because they feel someone with his views is not good for the club. Let's
find out exactly what his political views are from BBC reporter, Tom Esslemont:
Tom Esslemont, BBC reporter:
He doesn't hide his fascist stance. While a player nearly eight years ago, di Canio gave a
number of Nazi salutes to Lazio fans. That appears to be the reason why David Miliband,
resigned from Sunderland's board following Di Canio's appointment.
Rob: So Tom Esslemont describes Paolo di Canio's stance, or his political view, as fascist.
So he supports an extreme right-wing ideology, or political view – and he's been
accused of praising Mussolini and has been seen giving Nazi salutes.
Jennifer: So that's why the politician, David Miliband, from the left-wing British Labour Party
has given up, or resigned from, the football club's management team. He doesn't
agree with the views of Paolo di Canio.
Rob: But should sport be a place for playing politics? In other words, should sport be
used for expressing and arguing over political viewpoints?
Jennifer: Well one fear is that his fascist viewpoint means he is a racist – so he doesn't respect
people from backgrounds other than his own. And this could discourage some people
from going to see a match. Racism in football is something people want to stamp
out – or stop.
Rob: Well, being a racist is something Paolo di Canio denies, as we can hear from the
BBC's Tom Esslemont. What advice has his supporters offered him?
Tom Esslemont, BBC reporter:
The man himself says being fascist doesn't mean being racist, and the extended arm salute
was a gesture among comrades. Those close to di Canio say his appointment at Sunderland
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will be good for football. But they've also offered him some advice: keep the politics off the
pitch.
Rob: So di Canio's friends say he will be good for football and their advice is...
Jennifer: …'keep the politics off the pitch'. Good advice. Well let's hope he keeps his eye on
the ball – and just concentrates on getting Sunderland football club to win more
games.
Rob: If not, he might get the boot – in other words, the sack! Of course, sport can be a
good place to make a political statement – it's a place where your views can get
noticed. In the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, several countries boycotted – or refused to
attend – the games because of Russia's invasion of Afghanistan.
Jennifer: Well there's no evidence that Sunderland's new boss will be making any political
statements soon. In a recent press conference he said "I don't want to talk about
politics because it's not my area. We are not in the Houses of Parliament, we are in a
football club. I want to talk about sport. I want to talk about football."
Rob: Well let's hope he plays by the rules – and his personal views off the pitch do not
reflect what takes place on the pitch. But now we've come to the time when we
reveal the answer to today's question. Earlier I asked you Jen, do you know which is
the world's oldest football club?
Jennifer: And I said a) Sheffield FC.
Rob: And you are right. The world's oldest football team is Sheffield FC. It formed back in
1857. OK, well, it's almost time to go but before we do, Jen could you remind us of
some of the words we have heard today.
Jennifer: Yes. We heard:
kick off
a political football
game-changer
playing politics
to stamp out
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keeps his eye on the ball
get the boot
a political statement
play by the rules
Rob: Thanks Jen. Well, that's all we have time for today. Please join us again soon for 6
Minute English from bbclearningenglish.
Both: Bye
