Football in Essotori

== Football in Essotori ==
Football is defacto considered a national institution in Essotori, though the government does not endorse this, primarily due to the Conservative nature of the administration. When football was invented in 1861, it spread quickly throughout the nation, despite local government's attempts to stop the practice. In 1898, the first Essotori Football League was set up, with representatives of Cunberian towns taking part, against the wishes of the Cunberian Duke, and the central government itself. Regardless, the League went ahead, with the town of Oxshintire achieving victory, generating a large amount of revenue for the town, where the players became local heroes. The government switched tactics, arguing instead that the fan's conduct during each game "Bordered in theological worship and blatent subversion of righteous authority." Which was challenged by prominent football players, as well as the Promulgater Rhys Hartland, who used his position as a Promulgater and football manager to bring dissaffected youths more fully into the Cult. The government gradually ceased interfering with the game itself, though the issue of idolatory was an almost contant, especially at Essotori-Wide competitions. 
The popularity of the game spiked after the widespread avalibility of televisions, it became possible for families to watch football games together as a family, dramatically increasing the game's reach with all demographics. This led to the era of "Football Politics", around 1980 - 2004, when the opinion of prominent players, managers and owners had a strong influence on public political opinion. It was ended when the government finally relinquished control over the Ascendancy Sports Federation, and mandated that prayer to the Ascended One take place before each game as the players walked in. The captains would then say a prayer, before the game continued.
Football in Essotori is governed by the Ascendancy Sports Federation (ASF), who moniters Ascendancy wide football games, though only Suntterland and Essotori compete against each other, the ASF attempts to foster local football games as a way to build community. This appeal to populism upset the Conservatives in the National Mistery, though Prime Minister Robert Cartford told ABC news that "The old debates regarding the ritualistic nature of this ingenious sport are antiquated, unworthy of further consideration, since a preceeding administration implemented the Football Morality Statute in 2004. This Crownslave sees no adequate reason as to why the government should stand in the way of the people's pastimes." Despite the efforts of fans, private investors, and the government itself, football has only recently caught on in Suntterland, with only a few cities forming football teams. 
The Essotori Football League is hosted on a Triannual basis, and Essotori competes in Calradia Wide Football competitions.
Category:Essotori
Category:Essotori Culture
Category:Essotori Politics
Category:Sports in Essotori
Category:Ascendancy