On a gloomy Wednesday in the Europa League Fan Zone within the confines of Dublin Castle, the energy was infectious. Everywhere you looked, fans were busily engaged in kicking or heading the football around. Our focus though was on the makeshift football pitch set up towards the rear, home to eager football enthusiasts.
There was Ali, a left wing player of moderate height, slim yet sharp-edged, his hairstyle akin to the puffy look Neymar wore during his stint at PSG, but tidier around the edges – somewhat reminiscent of Fellaini. A native of Somalia, Ali has been residing in Ireland for slightly over two years.
Then there was Ekele, playing as a centre-back, he was considerably bigger – tall, sturdy and intimidating. He demonstrated impressive aerial skills, especially during corners. A dedicated supporter of Manchester United, he optimistically believes in their imminent victory in the cup final. Despite our doubts, we admire his positivity. An immigrant from Nigeria, Ekele had only recently made Ireland his home.
Ali, Ekele and eight other young individuals had been invited to the Fan Zone by UNHCR, the United Nations refugee agency. With inflatable walls cordoning off a mini football pitch, UEFA had organised an all-day five-a-side match leading up to the Europa League final that night. The pitch hosted a morning match for amputees, followed by Michael Owen’s game.
UNHCR had been allocated a slot, allowing Ali, Ekele and the others to compete alongside a U17 team from Cambridge FC based in Ringsend. David James and Robert Pires were also present, dressed to impress and ready for action. The match commenced with the authoritative blow of the referee’s whistle.
Our conversation took a turn as we got introduced to Jonathan Tormey, a middle-aged Ringsend resident devoid of any interest in flashy hairdos. The kind of fellow who instinctively acts upon seeing something, while others are still contemplating the theoretical possibilities.
Until recently, Tormey held the position of a community football officer with the Football Association of Ireland (FAI). His under-17 team recently took part in a match against players from the UNHCR. Although the individuals working within this sector don’t claim to possess straightforward solutions to the world’s complex issues, they do make efforts, however small, to improve conditions where it is possible.
Football can be a significant and powerful tool. With refugees and asylum seekers landing on Ireland’s shores with minimal knowledge about their new home, football provides a familiar connection. They might have slight English skills or none at all, and certainly, they don’t know the landscape nor the locals here. Their only assurance is the fact that they’ve moved from their previous location for one reason or another, and now they’re in a foreign land. But, their love for football is a given; it’s an element they’re very well acquainted with.
We often frown upon the dishonesty, deceit, excessive obsession with money and moral degradation we associate with football, but we fail to acknowledge the impact of this globally celebrated sport. It’s unfortunate that we only discuss it like so when organisations like UEFA and FIFA come into the mix. Whenever we witness officials such as Blatter or Infantino celebrating the sport, we can’t help but feel a distaste for it.
However, for those who are dislocated and trying to settle in an unfamiliar place, football is a blessing. Regardless of an individual’s background, football is a language everyone understands and feels connected to. It creates an instantaneous level playing field in the actual sense and metaphorically, as well. Just set up two teams, give them a ball, and a patch of grass, and watch them create a fluent display of passes and movement.
In various sports, we often hear coaches encouraging their players to portray their unique style on the field. When we proposed the idea of interacting with a journalist to some of the boys, they showed understandable hesitation. Those who agreed to participate provided soft-spoken and concise responses, showcasing a reserved uncertainty about how to respond to the queries.
When the match kicked off, everything else ceased to matter. Ali tenaciously engaged in a slew of tackles, receiving a wild swing to the mouth in return. Skillfully maneuvering the ball, he cleverly deceived and meted out damage. In the midst of the confined pitch’s chaos, Ekele remained calm and deliberate, confidently addressing the ball in the air when required. They played with wholehearted zeal and total conviction.
The primary objective, as explained by Tormey, is to help these individuals secure a spot in football clubs. They aim to provide them with contacts in local football networks. They host approximately three to four camps annually, primarily in Dublin, attracting as many as 40 or 50 participants. These camps enable them to establish connections, discover places to play and integrate into the community. It could be as simple as a phone call or a football camp.
On that Wednesday, they engaged in a near hour-long match. It consisted of four teams and games lasting ten minutes each, compelling players to quickly adapt. A buzzing crowd grew, drawn like bees to high-profile celebrities such as Pires and James. Skilful game plays by the team from Ringsend and those from other parts of the city garnered gasps and applause.
Football cannot fundamentally transform lives. Ultimately, normalcy resumed after the Europa final concluded that night. While Ali returned to his studies three days a week at a nearby youthreach school, Ekele anticipated beginning school in September. For now, he resides in Clontarf, embracing each day as it comes, with the future remaining uncertain for all.
Nevertheless, for that brief period on Wednesday, they were not categorised as refugees or asylum seekers or subjected to any of the draining, offensive labels common on the internet. They were simply young lads engrossed in a football game, expressing themselves freely in what is arguably the sport’s universal language. (Please note that names have been altered for privacy reasons.)