Women and football

Ever since Monday, I have been agonizing over whether to suspend my boycott, and watch tomorrow’s Netherlands v Costa Rica quarterfinal. I had all sorts of reasons and justifications for it. They are my favourite teams to win this world cup: Oranje because I’m Dutch, and its the best footballing country yet to win the World Cup; and Costa Rica because this small, humble country of less than 5 million people has proven to be giant killers against Uruguay and Italy (though only managing a draw against Noble England.) The country also has NO DEFENCE FORCE, and a strong commitment to social justice.
 

However, family circumstances at the present time demand that I can’t neglect my wife, which brings me to the subject of ‘football widows’: those women – because they usually are women – who are abandoned by their spouses for a month of football – or the weekly football game, or (more likely now), weekend of football, as well as Wednesday night, and a couple of other nights thrown in between ..... you get which way the ball is rolling?

There are loads of references and ‘advice’ for football widows on the net, but the best I’ve come across is from the BBC. Here are some highlights:

The term football widow doesn't involve anyone's actual death but it does involve the loss of a loved one to football. This entry will explore the problems of being a football widow and look at some options to minimise that loss. ...

Just be wary of the surprise honeymoon involving European Capital cities or unusual South American countries – this will be a ploy to tour the major football stadium and will be painful on the feet as well as the pocket. ... 

Don't panic if you see him slumped, tearful, head in hands and moaning things like 'Gutted', 'Devastated' or various abstract expletives. ... it's probably just that his team has lost a match, scored an own goal or were even beaten in a European Cup final. Just make tea and remember to use a plastic cup in case it has to be thrown at a wall or the television when the result is broadcast again ... and again ... and again.

On the subject of women and sport, of course, there is a FIFA Women’s World Cup. But do you know when and where the next (Senior) Women’s World Cup is?*

There’s also been a breakthrough at a recent ‘World Cup’ event organised for refugees in Sao Paolo – who came originally from places such as Congo, Haiti and Syria. During the competition (aimed mainly at men) the women refugees got together and organized their own competition. Some played for the first time, even while fasting for Ramadan.

Watch the BBC report: Refugee women in Brazil get into World Cup spirit.

* Canada, June-July 2015.