France 2016: So It Begins
Euro 2016 started last evening, with Romania losing 2-1 to France after France scored the second goal in the 89th minute. But it’s not the match I’m writing this quick post about, but the conditions under which the competition takes place… And the situation viewers here have to face as well, with the exception of those who are subscribed to a cable company that offers the channels that do broadcast all matches.
Admittedly, unlike other cases in the past, it couldn’t have been known at the time it was selected to host this competition that France will find itself in such a situation during it, but between floods, strikes and outrageous security measures, this may well end up being a more troubled edition of a major competition than some which were expected as such from the moment the host country was selected. And, to state the obvious even more, the floods are at least in part caused, and definitely worsened, by man-made climate change, the strikes are entirely justified by the dreadful measures and general direction of development supported by most governments, the fact that the French one had actually done so perhaps slightly less than others being probably part of the reason why the French people tend to react more than most to being shat on, and while the security measures are admittedly in part justified by a real terrorist threat, they’re to an even greater extent a sign of things to come under the excuse of a greatly exaggerated terrorist threat, especially when the real potential impact of even some successful attacks is weighed against other threats that result from the failings of governments, or which are simply facts of life.
Under those circumstances, one would be tempted to say that it’ll be less about football and more about the other problems it can highlight and the causes it can become a platform for. And perhaps that’s exactly what should happen, even if it’s not exactly a “fair” thing to wish for. Far too many people will be watching, both in Europe and elsewhere, and the powers that be, without being limited to the French authorities or even the European Union, are watching too closely for this opportunity to be wasted.
To also turn to Romania before the end of this post, TVR’s situation meant that they are unable to broadcast the competition, all matches only being shown on a private sports channel owned by one cable provider and not available from all others. However, at least PRO TV grabbed the “free to air” package, consisting of one match per day, obviously including all of Romania’s matches and otherwise what they consider as the most interesting match of the day on days when Romania isn’t playing. In addition, a large screen was set up in a park and people will be able to watch matches there, but only the first half of the last ones taking place each day. That’s supposedly due to needing to keep the noise down after 11 PM, according to the law, but I’ll simply call it terribly stupid and leave it at that.
