He knew that no one would miss the game. Similarly, it is no coincidence that our People's Assembly ended its session and began its summer vacation on the day the Cup began. Football has become a source of hope and despair, joy and sorrow, the most popular of the activities that are self-initiated, freely exercised and spontaneous in the Arab countries. The game dominates most political, intellectual and creative activities. Football clubs have virtually replaced political parties.
People are free to cheer for one club or the other without compulsion or lies.
Football clubs are forums for the exercise of democracy, the free expression of hopes and aspirations, frustration, victory and expectations. The game is the only sphere in which people are permitted to participate genuinely, in which the opposition is not punished, tormented or constrained. Equality of rights and duties is guaranteed. For this reason, the state's concern with the problems of football clubs is comparable to its interest in reforming the education system, or privatising banks. In countries where formal political action is stifled, and where creativity, scientific achievement and intellectual endeavours are suppressed, football is the only opium the people can afford.