Using Music for Soccer - Article Example

Using Music for Soccer From Alicia Key’s to Shakira’s belly dancing is a new definition of entertainment that is now a part of soccer games. What started out as a way of expressing the different elements of sports has now turned into a diluted pattern of entertainment that is taking away from the overall concept of soccer. The focus on bringing in new entertainment and the way that sports are now changing is leading soccer into an era of expression that is not genuine to the game. Where soccer used to be one based on competition, challenges and a war like mode, it is now turning into a basis of entertainment. This has created an approach to soccer that is not remaining genuine to the game and is taking away from the element of soccer that is based on war. The origination of soccer comes from the 1860s in England when rugby moved from a catching game to kicking a ball. The approach to rugby changed to association football, which created several codes based on kicking and maneuvering through the field and to the goal line. Most refer to soccer as a working class game because of the association that it had from rugby. The idea of soccer quickly moved from Europe and into America, than progressively developed into an international game. Today, it is one of the most popular games that are a part of industrial games. The association with the working class as well as the assertiveness that had to be used for the game has created the overall atmosphere of the game. The association with soccer is linked to strength, warlike ways of facing competitors and a sense of “manliness” that is a part of the game (Murray, 4). The atmosphere of soccer is one that is supposed to be associated with the competitiveness and war like spirit that is a part of the game. The beginning development was designed to take away the rules of rugby and the restrictiveness that was a part of the game. More importantly, the development from the working class was created to show signs of aggressiveness and competitiveness. Both men and women that are trained in soccer are shown that they need to have signs of aggressiveness. This is the only way that they can compete against other teams and in the right atmosphere. The assertiveness as well as the training toward competitiveness is one that has made this particular sport continue to grow on an international basis and into one of the most widely recognized sports (Guivernau, Duda, 67). The assertiveness and competitiveness that is one of the foundations of soccer is then questioned by the way that many are approaching the concept of entertainment with soccer. The atmosphere that is created before, during and after the game is one that should keep the competitive spirit and the aggressiveness as defined by the players. However, when looking at the specific elements of soccer, it can be seen that the atmosphere that is created from soccer is lost because of the focus on entertainment that is taking over the game. When adding in the stars to the soccer game, the focus of the assertiveness is lost. The rest of the game is focused specifically on the music and becomes a concert and entertainment event, instead of being one based on the soccer game. The problem with using music for soccer is not from the actual entertainment that is provided. Instead, the music that is a part of the game is being misused and is taking away from the sports. For instance, the videos that are used, promotions that are added into the game and broadcasts of the top 10 are all becoming the central focus of the soccer game. The atmosphere that is created is one that is based on a party that is not about the game, but is instead about the entertainers and the way that they are approaching the different events. Most that are at the soccer game are not able to experience the same atmosphere or attention to the game that was available when soccer was known as the true working class sport. The new focus of music that is a part of soccer games leads to a question of what is going to happen with the sport in the future, specifically in terms of entertainment. If the music continues to be a part of the game, then it also leads to a division in class and with those that watch the game. Ultimately, this will lead from a working class game to one that is only for the elite. Those that are watching the game will not be there to watch the soccer and the moves that are a part of the aggressiveness, but instead will be focused on the entertainment that is a part of the game. The fan base that results will ultimately lead to a loss of atmosphere that is a part of the game and which doesn’t allow the soccer game to continue in the original form that was created. The use of music for entertainment in soccer games was one that began to send a message or to compliment the game. However, the stars that are hitting the field are changing the atmosphere that is a part of the game. Instead of approaching the field with the same environment of assertiveness and from the working class, this is leading to a change in the soccer games played. The focus is now on the elite part of the game which is based on the performances of several artists. The fan base and the overall game are beginning to change because of the music that is played. When looking at the game of soccer and the unmatched music, it can be seen that this is changing the original parts of soccer and the way that it was developed. Every fan should question how this entertainment is changing the competition and environment of soccer both while the game is being played as well as from the focus on the sidelines from music. Sidebar The origins of soccer were based on the idea of aggressiveness and competition. This was based in Europe and was created from the working class as a spin from rugby. While the environment of soccer was developed to play with a sense of competition and aggressiveness, it has now changed because of the idea of entertainment. Music by the stars is now becoming a central focus of each game. While this is developed as a part of the entertainment of the game, it is changing the atmosphere of soccer. More importantly, it is creating an alteration in the fan base and the overall environment of the game of soccer which is taking away from the environment of the game. Works Cited 1. Guivernau, Marta, Joan Duda. ‘Moral Atmosphere and Athletic Aggressiveness Tendencies in Young Soccer Players. Journal of Moral Education. (31), (1). 2. Murray, Bill. The World’s Game: A History of Soccer. University of Illinois Press: Chicago, 1996. Read More