Ange Postecoglou has admitted that it will not be business as usual for Tottenham against Fulham as the team has an added responsibility to bring joy to the fans who are distressed by the events in the Middle East.
There has been a lot said and written about the relatively muted response from all Premier League clubs, including Tottenham, about the conflict (Guardian).
Spurs, in particular, are in a difficult position, given that they have a diverse fan base but also a historic connection to the lowest Jewish community (The Athletic).
The Times revealed over the weekend that Tottenham have sent a message to fans, explaining that no political flags, including the Israeli one, would be allowed at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the clash against Fulham.
The club flag policy is in line with the directive handed to the club by the Premier League ahead of matchweek 9.
When asked if it would be business as usual for his side against the Cottagers, Postecoglou has now told Football.London: “Well, it’s not business as usual. That is not how we see our role. Our role, like I said, is to provide our supporters with something that you know they want to see in their football team.
“When we go out there on Monday night there will be 60,000 out there – and hundreds of thousands around the world – who just want to see their football team play some exciting football and win a game and give them that joy that only football can bring.
“Because, you know, when you score in that last minute to win a game of football, you don’t care who is next to you. Do you? You don’t care where they come from, what they think or what they believe. You are united as one for that moment.
“That’s what football provides. It can provide. And I think that’s our role. It is always our role, irrespective of what the current climate is or what the climate might be next week or in weeks to come.
“Football, like I said, maybe I am not using the right term, but it is a form of escapism for a lot of people for those moments, providing some comfort, feeling like you are part of something bigger. That’s always our role as a football club.”
(Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Spurs have a duty to provide some escapism for fans
When asked about how he processes the events of the past two weeks, the Australian explained: “I’ve always felt that I’m not a custodian of any football club.
“I have the responsibility of being a football manager like everyone else, I’m a human being and you struggle with these things, and you understand that other people will struggle with them.
“My life experience has taught me not to judge or come to any strong conclusions. I’ll let the people who are affected by it be the guide in these kinds of things. Because it’s very easy for others to cast judgement but in all these things, you are guided by people who are directly affected.
“And all I can do as a football manager within our football club is try and provide support, advice, and guidance in the best way I can and the best way a football club can to anyone who’s struggling with these things.
“Again, I’ve always felt football – in sport, in general, especially football, the greatest role I can play is just that – and it sounds trivial at times – but it is, it can be a form of escapism.
“Ninety, 95 minutes where you can take people who are struggling with wherever they are in life just away from it, just for a little while, waiting for that period of time that you know you’re around supporting their football club.
“And maybe within that context, we can provide some sort of small solace or comfort or, or even a little bit of joy that takes them away from whatever they’re going through. But yeah, that’s where I’ve gone.
“I don’t try and sort of interject myself into these things because, you know, there are things I do know about, my own sort of upbringing. And, you know, I know about what it feels like to be an immigrant and I can talk strongly about those kinds of things.
“But my family’s never been involved in the war. So it’s not for me to cast judgement on it.”
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Postecoglou obviously cannot give his opinion on the conflict, given how divisive the issue is and had to toe the diplomatic line, which he has done, while also making it clear that the team has an extra responsibility to bring fans joy following the tragic developments.
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