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Initially, they disregard you. Next, they mock you. Then, they resist you. Finally, you emerge victorious. However, even years after your triumph, a former Queens Park Rangers midfielder unexpectedly tries to confront you again in order to advertise his podcast. This story of Joey Barton can be interpreted in various ways, similar to a memorable saying taken from a philosophy book that he most likely only briefly read.
Maybe the initial response to the ex-Rangers backup’s recent attention-seeking behavior is simply to ignore it, deny it any attention, and move forward. This is partly due to the fact that his reasons for criticizing female analysts in male-dominated soccer are blatantly manipulative.
Why bother engaging with someone who is completely unreasonable? This is like Barton’s dismissal for QPR against Manchester City on the last day of the 2011-12 season: a burst of uncontrolled anger, a final attempt to bring someone else down with him before disappearing into obscurity.
This extends far beyond the actions of a single 41-year-old ex-manager from Bristol Rovers (with a 37.1% win ratio) and his desperate attempt to feel something again. It goes beyond his general criticisms towards specific broadcasters, who have then faced backlash from his 2.7 million social media followers. And it also goes beyond the added emotional burden that many women in football have had to bear in the aftermath: defending their positions, defending their colleagues, and defending their right to simply earn a living against a vocal minority with seemingly endless amounts of time, self-loathing, and fake accounts.
Stop. This is an issue that mainly affects men, and to be completely honest, men have avoided addressing it for a long time. It is specifically related to football, even though the one-hit wonder with a brief 11-minute career is using the same extreme right-wing arguments as experienced online provocateurs like Andrew Tate and Russell Brand, as well as a Conservative Member of Parliament whose name I can never remember and who wears a wig resembling Rick Parfitt’s.
From its early beginnings, football has always been a breeding ground for toxic masculinity, built on the idea of a space where men can come together to showcase and prove their manliness. It is a place where societal norms and expectations do not apply, and where hypermasculine behavior is not only accepted but rewarded – from rowdy fights in the stands to lavish sex parties in the Premier League. Although the sport has become more inclusive and safer for women, this culture still persists, perhaps not as overtly in physical altercations, but in online forums, newspaper comments sections, and legal actions to protect the identity of footballers accused of sexual violence.
Former football players, who have been abruptly removed from their successful careers and are now on the sidelines, may find that the principles and beliefs that once propelled them to success no longer shield them from harm. This may explain why many of them become targets for financial frauds or fall for conspiracy theories, holding onto the belief that their unique talents can once again set them apart from society’s constraints.
What leads Matt Le Tissier to spread strange and discriminatory 9/11 conspiracy theories? Why does Iker Casillas believe that the moon landings were fraudulent? How does Rickie Lambert become involved in protesting against the concept of the “15-minute city” and promoting a theory known as the “Great Awakening”? How does Barton align himself with discredited figure Alex Jones from the “alt-right” movement?
The content is not worth discussing in depth, but there is a shared perspective present: not logically consistent but strongly driven by emotions, with a determination to perceive enemies in every shadow. The reality is not as we were led to believe. We were all deceived. And I, the disillusioned middle-aged man, the last acceptable target of society, am the final chance to prevent the complete downfall of humanity.
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What is the reason for Barton’s attempt to change his image to align with far-right populism? It might be more important to question why he wouldn’t do so. He has a history of seeking out controversy and attention, which has been supported and promoted by the media, often composed of middle-class individuals who see quoting Nietzsche or Viktor Frankl as a form of redemption.
In the past ten years, there were efforts to portray this criminal as a misunderstood intellectual. He received a book deal, positive media coverage, and his violent history was romanticized. He even appeared on Question Time and made derogatory comments about women to a Ukip politician. It’s surprising that this young man has now become a misogynistic figure on Elon Musk’s platform.
It is acceptable to disregard Barton if necessary, to aid in coping with daily life. However, in doing so, it should be noted that there is a concerning trend emerging – a growing group of dissatisfied young men empowered by our current political climate, with Barton being just one example of opportunistic behavior.
The conversation starts with a casual remark about women on TV, making a quick and dismissive joke about the Lionesses. However, past experiences have shown that these types of comments often lead to larger issues.
Source: theguardian.com
