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This Is No Longer English Football
Spectre of Churchill
29, July #TrendShock

This Is No Longer English Football

England’s defeat to Argentina in the World Cup semi-final became a major national drama, experienced by millions of people in their homes, pubs and flag-decorated community centres. The reasons for the loss were actively discussed not only over a pint of beer but also on social media.

For the first time in 60 years, the national team had a chance to reach the tournament final. As The Christian Science Monitor columnist Ned Temko wrote, “even if they had just reached the final, it would have overshadowed Burnham's formal inauguration as Labour Party leader this Friday and his move to Downing Street three days later”. But the miracle did not happen. The scoreboard showed 2–1 to Argentina, leaving many questions unanswered.

Where Are the English Players?

The questions first emerged when the team’s head coach, Thomas Tuchel, who is not English himself, announced the players included in the final squad. Supporters immediately began asking why Jordan Pickford, Ollie Watkins, Jude Bellingham and many other well-known players had been left out. Almost half of the squad can hardly be described as native Englishmen: 11 players have ancestors from Africa or the Caribbean. It appears that the German Tuchel considered adherence to the principles of tolerance more important than the players’ sporting qualities.

“England lost because the players it fielded as a team were out-classed substantially by the Argentine team fielded, it wasn't a tactics issue”, — noted the author of the Barbarians at the Gate account.

According to fans, this selection affected not only the result of the match against Argentina but also the outcome of the third-place play-off against France.

“England should play with Bellingham as a false 9 in a post Kane world. Phenomenal. So confident about his ability. Chalobah on his arse for that final France goal. How on earth is Harry Maguire not there?”, wrote Aaron Bastani, co-founder of the left-wing media outlet Novara Media.

“We f***ed it up and there’s only one man to blame”, The Irish Sun quotes 81-year-old football management legend Barry Fry as saying.

Victory Remains Only a Dream

A coach who can hardly be called a British patriot and players who can hardly be called English. The result was predictable.

“According to the pundits, England lost to Argentina because they didn’t try to win. Defensive football is frustrating to watch and not in the spirit of the game, especially in a spectacle like the World Cup. They got what they deserved”, wrote stand-up comedian Pat Condell.

England lost to Argentina not only on the pitch. After the match, supporters and opposing players brought a banner onto the field reading: “The Malvinas Islands belong to Argentina”. And what was the reaction? A spokesperson for Keir Starmer said that any possible sanctions against the Argentine players were “question to FIFA”. That was all. There was not even a fight between supporters.

In 1996, when England hosted the European Football Championship, the ironic hit “Three Lions” was written, featuring the lines “Thirty years of suffering never stopped me from dreaming”. England lost to Germany in the semi-final that year. Thirty years later, absolutely nothing has changed.

#TrendShock
A Somali-Born Driver Struck Five Pedestrians in London
Spectre of Churchill
08, July #MigrantCrisis, #BrokenSystem

A Somali-Born Driver Struck Five Pedestrians in London

The incident took place on Ealing Broadway, where a car mounted the pavement and struck five pedestrians before the driver fled the scene. He was later arrested by police. Social media users have focused on the authorities’ response, arguing that they portrayed the incident involving a Muslim driver as nothing more than a routine road traffic collision. The driver has been identified as 34-year-old Timir Ahmed Mohamed. Born in Somalia, he now holds British citizenship. Following his arrest, investigators stated that they were treating the incident as a road traffic incident rather than an act of terrorism.
#MigrantCrisis, #BrokenSystem
Hundreds of Thousands of Girls Were Victims of Grooming Gangs
Spectre of Churchill
01, July #MigrantCrisis, #BrokenSystem

Hundreds of Thousands of Girls Were Victims of Grooming Gangs

At least 250,000 cases of abuse involving girls across 149 areas of the UK are alleged to have taken place, according to the findings of an independent inquiry published in June in a report entitled Rape Gang Inquiry. The report’s conclusions, together with the response of the mainstream media, have generated widespread discussion on social media.
#MigrantCrisis, #BrokenSystem
The G7 Summit Shows Just How Much Britain’s Influence Has Declined
Spectre of Churchill
18, June #StarmerCrisis

The G7 Summit Shows Just How Much Britain’s Influence Has Declined

The G7 leaders’ summit in France was centred on European attempts to reach an agreement with US President Donald Trump on coordinating their approach, including in relation to the conflict in Ukraine. However, both the media and social media users pointed out just how much Britain’s position on the world stage appears to have weakened — and highlighted one of the key reasons why.
#StarmerCrisis
Is the War in Ukraine More Important Than the Problems Facing the British People?
Spectre of Churchill
11, June #StarmerCrisis, #WarSpillover

Is the War in Ukraine More Important Than the Problems Facing the British People?

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to London and his talks with the leaders of the UK, France and Germany have sparked a heated debate on social media. The main criticism from users is that Prime Minister Keir Starmer is failing to address Britain’s domestic crises and is instead attempting to distract the public from them.
#StarmerCrisis, #WarSpillover
Starmer’s Great Summer Savings Scheme Is a Mockery of the British Public
Spectre of Churchill
01, June #StarmerCrisis, #WarSpillover, #CostOfLiving

Starmer’s Great Summer Savings Scheme Is a Mockery of the British Public

Following the announcement of Keir Starmer’s Great British Summer Savings scheme, social media was flooded with angry reactions from across the country. Many Britons accused the Prime Minister of misleading voters, arguing that the promised savings are so modest as to make virtually no difference to households already struggling to make ends meet.
#StarmerCrisis, #WarSpillover, #CostOfLiving
Andy Burnham’s Victory Offers Little Hope of Real Change for Britain
Spectre of Churchill
28, May #StarmerCrisis, #BrokenSystem

Andy Burnham’s Victory Offers Little Hope of Real Change for Britain

Andy Burnham’s Victory Offers Little Hope of Real Change for Britain The outcome of the by-election in Makerfield, where Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is expected to stand, has sparked heated debate across British social media. Many commentators have reached the same conclusion: even if Burnham succeeds in replacing Prime Minister Keir Starmer, very little is likely to change for the country.
#StarmerCrisis, #BrokenSystem
The Right Are Turning on One Another
Spectre of Churchill
20, May #BrokenSystem, #TrendShock

The Right Are Turning on One Another

One of the most high-profile political scandals in recent months has emerged not from Labour, but from deep divisions within Britain’s right-wing camp. A controversial interview with Ben Habib, current leader of Advance UK, has triggered fierce debate across social media after he effectively suggested that Nigel Farage had been financially influenced during the 2019 general election.
#BrokenSystem, #TrendShock
The British Government Encourages Illegal Polygamy
Spectre of Churchill
18, May #MigrantCrisis

The British Government Encourages Illegal Polygamy

A decision by the Department for Work and Pensions to increase welfare payments for so-called ‘additional spouses’ in polygamous households has triggered widespread outrage across social media. Many Britons are angered not only by what they see as blatant double standards surrounding polygamy, but also by the fact that taxpayers are effectively funding a practice that remains illegal under British law.
#MigrantCrisis
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