Ange Postecoglou goes viral with latest media slap down

Ange Postecoglou, the former manager of Celtic, has once again drawn public notice for his fervent advocacy of international football fans in a time when football fandom is more diverse than ever.

Postecoglou is well-known for taking a direct approach and frequently leaving reporters speechless. Recently, he responded to a journalist’s criticism of “plastic fans” with remarks that went viral and resonated with followers all around the world.

The Celtic supporters have long held Ange Postecoglou in high regard. He guided the club to two and then three titles during his time there before leaving for Tottenham Hotspur in the summer.

Once again, his ability to capture the essence of football’s international appeal has brought him attention; this time, he has been criticised for opposing the classification of supporters according to their place of residence or length of support.

Postecoglou gave a direct and impactful answer to a question that implied contempt for so-called “plastic fans,” highlighting the inclusiveness that football should always be about at its core. In addition to defending supporters from all over the world, his remarks brought attention to how unjust it is to categorise followers based only on their capacity to attend live games.

“That’s really harsh, and I’ll tell you why. I’m probably plastic and touristy because I’m a huge football fan and I travelled from the other side of the world, so seeing a Premier League game would be the best thing in the world for me.” [YouTube]

Therefore, I don’t think it’s fair to call individuals “plastic” or “tourists” simply because they live on the other side of the globe. There are fans of this football team everywhere in the world. There are fans of it all around the UK who aren’t always able to see the games, and I believe we should always be able to make accommodations for them.

“It’s quite unfair to characterise fans who are willing to travel halfway around the world less passionate since it doesn’t make them any less so. You have no idea how devoted people are to their football team. Even though they may have only recently begun to support it, that doesn’t make them any less of a person.

Postecoglou’s remarks have touched a nerve with football enthusiasts everywhere, not just Spurs supporters, serving as a reminder that a shared passion for the game knows no geographic bounds. Being a fan is about loving the game and the team, not about living close to the stadium or going all the time.

There are likely those who attend games and think there’s a hierarchy of supporters who won’t agree with it. You’re all in if that’s the case.

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