Alright.
Like many people yesterday I was minding my own business when I received a small influx of messages..”You seen the Gini news?” “You seen what Gini has said?”
No. No I haven’t.
Turns out that article from The Times caused quite the stir. I say the article, I probably mean the headline as from some of the reactions, it seems some people didn’t bother to read it.
I did and this is my take from it.
For weeks and weeks people have been replying to Gini’s social media posts asking him “for the news” – that news being for him to expose FSG or whatever it was people were expecting. The drama was already mounting. Now he’s done an interview in which I believe the headline really doesn’t help him.
‘I gave everything for Liverpool – but sometimes fans on social media did not make me feel loved’
It makes it sound like the reason he left was because of social media abuse, when in fact, he’s simply highlighting it. And guess what the man got for highlighting social media abuse? Yep, you bloody guessed it. Abuse.
Now we are in peak season for clickbait and potential shit stirring but I didn’t expect this.
The club and many others across the country and the world are literally campaigning about online abuse, not just for the benefit of footballers, but for all of us. You’d think social media would be, you know, social. But for large parts and especially FT (I recently discovered this meant Football Twitter so I’m going to use it because I’m cool) it’s actually quite anti-social.
There are several arguments for and against Gini’s comments some of which I agree with, others not so much.
I saw a few yesterday, again who clearly didn’t read the article saying he’d left because of social media abuse. Horseshit. I doubt he’s got off because of a comment from @AdriansArse69 et al. He’s simply commenting it affected him. It affected him at at time where we didn’t have fans in stadiums, where believe it or not moral was probably low inside the camp due to form, results and injuries.
He’s giving his side of the story. He was quick to point out he was playing through the pain barrier to make sure he could play in those games where we had bodies dropping left, right and centre.
Now, whether or not he’s needs or wants to paint himself out as a hero is another argument entirely but for me he’s just telling his side of the story. He felt low, he was giving his all and to some of those on the internet it still wasn’t enough. He’s got a right to express his view and his situation, I don’t really see what the fucking issue is to be honest.
However, there are times when footballers don’t help themselves. We’ve played poorly, lost or been knocked out of a competition the best thing in my opinion is to leave social media. Not post the standard “Not the result we wanted, but we go again at the weekend.” – Not that I have an issue with it, they are just making a rod for their own back. Football fans are emotive, reactive and at times, out of order.
That’s not really a decent argument for most people, but sadly it is because of the way society it. And that’s not to say footballers aren’t immune to criticism. They aren’t and that’s not what I’m saying. You can be critical of them, but fuck me, make sure it’s constructive and not full on abuse.
I’m not a huge fan of Divock Origi and haven’t been for some time. But guess what I don’t reply to his social media posts giving him shit. Telling him to “get out of my club” because I don’t think he’s good enough. I actually feel sorry for him to be honest, but that’s another chat for another day.
The energy I saw yesterday for Gini getting off social media and “the reason he left” should be applied to those who give the abuse to footballers in the first place. To Jamie Carragher’s point “He should turn off notifications or delete the app. True, to an extent. But what are we all campaigning for? Better mental health, stopping online abuse and football being inclusive for all?
Until you get abuse on an app that you like to use then it’s you that has to leave? Get ready for a Roy Keane-ism…..Do me a favour!
I love Gini but this is not right, social media is a circus & every club has clowns. Turn off your notifications & if it’s bothering you that much delete the app! He wanted more money the club said no, that’s football! https://t.co/NNmiyFXYBY
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) July 24, 2021
Listen Carra isn’t wrong but I’ll repeat an argument I’ve used before. If you walk into a pub lets say and you’ve not done anything wrong and you receive abuse from a group of people you don’t know who do you think is in the wrong? Who should really be leaving the pub there?
Ok, you might leave because you feel uncomfortable but in reality you’ve as much right to be in and enjoy that pub as much as anyone else.
For me, that applies to social media too. I know you can’t reason with half these people, but mute them, block them or just ignore them. Easier said than done when you are a footballer but I really have sympathy of Gini and others. It’s meant to be a welcome social space for all.
Another argument I saw yesterday was his wages. “He’s on load of money, take the abuse.”
When did the amount you earn become a barometer of how much abuse you should take? Get in the fucking bin. That’s not how it works at all. It may come as a shock but money does not equal happiness, money does not make you immune to abuse or feelings and money is not the be all and end all.
We might think it is because, let’s be honest, we’d all love a footballers wage. But I think we need to stop using it as a tool to argue with. Many people might not have been on the end of social media abuse, I haven’t really, but the odd comment I’ve had just by glancing through innocently one day does stick with you. I don’t think my views or feelings would change if I suddenly earned more money.
We live in a society because of social media where there is a constant need to impress, a need to show off, to make everyone like you. The feeling of being worthless if you don’t or ignored or that no one cares. It’s a pretty sad reflection and for some it’s easier to deal with than others. Regardless of money. There is no right or wrong way to deal with it or how people feel about it. We should be more understanding not, aggressive about it.
Like Gini said, he was doing everything, I think he was simply trying to explain his side of things and the fact he didn’t like it. I’m fine with that and despite me writing an article on it, I don’t really see the issue.
The other issue which cropped up again yesterday, which to be fair weakened Gini’s argument slightly was in fact his wages. So what he’s on loads there, that’s what they pay. “He jibbed of Barca for more money” And? So fucking what? Is Barca the best project right now? Is he looking after his family with loads of money? Probably. Who’s arsed really?
Now we’re all very tribal, we don’t like it when people leave the club we love. But we also know loyalty doesn’t exist in football, careers are very short and they have to make decisions for them. I doubt Gini was asking Liverpool for the money PSG offered him but fair play to him for taking it.
We won’t know the conversations which were held but it’s clear Gini wanted a contract that reflected his efforts and an integral role in the side, things change, I’m fine with that and I wish him the best of luck.
Finally, the other thing that pissed people off were his comments on THAT Barca game.
“Klopp probably spoke to me [during half-time] but I was so angry [at having been dropped] that I didn’t listen to him,” Wijnaldum says. “The only moment I listened to him was when the morning training stopped and he said: ‘Gini, you have to be ready because I need you when you come on.’
“When I did come on, Pep Lijnders [the assistant manager] told me that when we built up I had to come into a back three to get the ball with the wing-backs higher. In my head, I was like: ‘No, no, no. I’m not going to do that. I just try to play up front, try to score goals.’ I was so angry that I wanted to do my own thing and, in the end, it helped.”
Now make your own conclusions on this and maybe you’ll think it’s disrespectful and disobedient, I don’t think you’d be wrong. But for me, I quite like it. Well I like him being pissed off and pumped for the game. Fortunately for him his plan worked.
We’ve spent the last two years lauding him as a hero for his role in that game and now we know his motivation behind it all of a sudden people have an issue with it? Get ready for another Roy Keane-ism….Do me a favour!
It’s done we won the game. Don’t worry about it.
Now I wouldn’t dare patronise you all and tell you how to feel about Gini and the comments he made yesterday, I’m just giving my two pence on the matter. You can agree with me all you like or disagree, that’s what football is. Opinions.
Is it just me who has read the whole article and thinks Gini is simply pointing out the social media abuse he received and explaining he didn’t like it or understand it? Not his actual reason for leaving?
— Ross (@rossic89) July 24, 2021
Don’t think the headline helps him but
also not sure what the big deal is.
I’m also very aware that I’m a hypocrite here. I don’t see what the issue is with any of it if I’m being honest, but I obviously care enough to write about it. I’m cool with that.
Gini is the first of the big icons of the PL, UCL, CWC and Super Cup winning era to leave the club, maybe that hurts a little. Maybe we want to defend our club and we’re seeing this with red tinted glasses.
For me, he’s rightly highlighting an issue. Good for him.
He’s left the club for PSG. Good for him.
He’s been an incredible player for this club and none of this changes my mind. I wish him all the best.
Ross
