OVER AND OUT
Where Big Website goes, other wishy-washy, left-leaning hipster havens naturally follow, so it came as no surprise that following Wednesday’s announcement that we would no longer be posting content on the particular Social Media Abomination that known as TwiXer from official accounts, one of Europe’s most right-on football clubs duly followed suit. A traditionally left-wing outfit that was founded in 1899, St Pauli play their football near Hamburg’s Reeperbahn and are famous for their iconic skull and crossbones logo. They were the first Bundesliga club to sign a black player, the first to officially ban right-wing nationalist activities at their games and almost certainly the first purported socialists to charge an eye-watering €37 for a snow shovel in their official club shop.
Last season, under the stewardship of the current Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler, they returned to the Bundesliga after an absence 13 years, to the delight of a fanbase often ridiculed by their counterparts at other clubs for the heinous crime of having a social conscience, not seeing refugees as a threat and being anti-racist, anti-fascist and anti-authoritarian. “So if that’s the case, what’s their problem with Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, Donald Trump’s electoral money-bagman and the proprietor of TwiXer?” we hear you ask. We’ll let their club statement fill you in: “Since taking over … Musk has converted [TwiXer] into a hate machine,” they declared. The club went on to invite their fans to join them at Bluesky, which is – for now at least – a comparative oasis of happy-clappy harmony, peace vibes and general goodwill.
Much like Big Website’s decision, St Pauli’s declaration generated widely contrasting reactions, with many applauding their decision while others whatabouted to within an inch of their lives or took the time and trouble to show how little it mattered to them by posting clown emojis and Kylian Mbappé “crying” gifs, while announcing how little they cared. Other, more considered criticism suggested that Social Media Abomination need the likes of St Pauli around to try to rail against the moon-howlers, even if at this stage, it would be the equivalent of eschewing the safety of high ground in favour of standing on the seashore trying to repel a tsunami with a net.
RECOMMENDED OTHER PLATFORMS
The old TwiXer account may now be retired, but you can still follow Big Website on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and YouTube.
LIVE ON BIG WEBSITE
Join Scott Murray from 7.45pm GMT for hot Nations League minute-by-minute coverage of Greece 1-2 England.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“David Coote remains suspended pending a full investigation. David’s welfare continues to be of utmost importance to us and we are committed to providing him with the ongoing necessary support he needs through this period. We are not in a position to comment further” – a PGMOL statement confirms it is aware of new footage allegedly showing the referee sniffing white powder.
FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS
With all due respect, isn’t it time for the massively overused phrase ‘door marked Do One’ (Football Daily passim) to, well, do one? I mean it was funny the first few times, was getting trite on about its 100th appearance, but after about 178,357 uses, it really has become tedious” – Ric Arthur (and one other).
If Alanis Morissette is looking for an updated line to add to her biggest hit, may I suggest: ‘It’s like Rick Parry accusing the Premier League of undervaluing the football pyramid.’ Admittedly, it doesn’t scan, but the man who helped to create the English game’s ‘global entertainment product’ saying this seems a tad more ironic than rain on your wedding day” – Joe Stafford.
Send letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s letter o’ the day winner is … Joe Stafford, who lands their very own piece of Football Weekly merch. Terms and conditions for our competitions can be viewed here.
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