Mick Hartley

What to make of this Egypt – Algeria spat over the World Cup qualifier? Last week the BBC did a round-up of Arab press opinion in the build-up to the Sudan decider. For instance:

Everything is done to maintain, in both Egypt and Algeria, an unhealthy climate in which the anger and frustration of the youth find an easy outlet [in football]. It is truly extraordinary that no voice has been raised to appeal for calm and to reiterate that this is just a game. On the contrary, the media in both countries… have dramatised the event absurdly.

Excellent sentiments, but as we know the war of words has only escalated since, with politicians fanning the flames. Where oh where can we hear in all this hubbub the small clear voice of reason, to bring some much-needed sanity to the debate?

Step forward Linda Heard, regular Arab News contributor, and, clearly, a woman with a sure grasp of cliché:

In the end, football is just a game that has been turned into the new opiate of the masses. It generally offers the opportunity for people to blow off steam in a controlled environment. It gives man an outlet for his inherent warlike instincts. It’s entertaining, exciting and fun. But it’s not brain surgery.

In the end? I think she meant to say, At the end of the day. But, apart from that minor blip, unimproveable. Brain surgery? Absolutely not. Nor, I feel safe in asserting, is it rocket science. 

When Arab history is writ, it will feature such names as Dr. Magdy Yacoub, Ben Bella, Gamal Abdul Nasser, Anwar Sadat, King Abdul Aziz, Yasser Arafat, Ahmed Zewail, Naguib Mahfouz, Umm Kulthum, Ibn Sina (Avicenna) and Ibn Battuta. In 50 years time, will anyone even remember the names Mohamed Zidan or Antar Yahia? This isn’t meant to demean these excellent Egyptian and Algerian players; rather to put their achievements into perspective.

The mesmerizing effect that soccer has on populaces around the world is worrying. It sends them to sleep in such a way that they are immune to serious issues.

Are you listening Egypt? Are you listening Algeria?