As England´s EURO 2012 football campaign kicks off, many Brits, at home and abroad will be spending their afternoons and evenings glued to their television sets, or following the competition at the pub over a pint or two with friends.

An outlet for emotions, the most dedicated of supporters will undoubtedly experience a range of emotions whilst watching the matches –  joy, disappointment, nerves, excitement -  on the whole in good sport.

However, there is a darker side to the game, rather, not to the game itself, but to certain behaviours which often accompany it.

Police noted that in the last Euro cup, in the UK levels of domestic violence, mostly alcohol related, increased. In the hope of reducing levels this year, they have launched a campaign to raise awareness of the issue and prevent levels from being so high this time around. This is mostly based on striking posters alerting people to the problem, and to where help can be found, which Police have put up around the country, particularly in pubs, sports clubs, newsagents and GP (doctor´s) clinics 

This recalls similar campaigns launched by the “kick it out” organization which strives for equality and fairness on all levels of the game.

Last year, for instance, in response to anti-Semitic comments shouted by fans, the organizations, in conjunctions with famous people from the sport, launched the following video “the Y-word”, to dissuade people to not use the word “Yid” – a derogatory term for Jews – classing it alongside the “N-word” (nigger”) and the “P-word” (Paki) – also very offensive terms in the UK.

An on-going campaign to “kick sexism out of football” is also high on their list, as you can see in the following video which plays on the stereotype that women know nothing about the game:

 

There is still a long way to go before we kick these things out of football once and for all, but such campaign certainly take us one step further towards achieving this goal.

GLOSSARY

To kick: patear

To kick out: echar /quitar

To be glued to your television set: Estar pegado a la televisión

A pint: Una pinta (normalmente cerveza)

To strike: Golpear

Striking: Llamativo

Campaign: Campaña

Once and for all: De una vez por todas