Betis, Real Sociedad and Cádiz occupy the podium of those who fall best; Barça, Sevilla and Girona, the last
An online survey in the newspaper ‘Marca’ asks fans to rate from 0 to 10 the degree of sympathy or antipathy that the different First Division teams elicit in them. The reactions of more than 300,000 internet users reveal some preferences that we already knew, but also some new features. The most valued team remains Betis, which is consistent with previous surveys showing that the Verdiblanco club was the one that attracted the most supporters in relation to those who declared hostility. Cádiz’s third position is also not surprising. That two Andalusian teams occupy the podium is explained by a paradox, the historical origins of which I have tried to study in the book “The Notorious Glory of the Andalusians”: since the 15th century, Castilian sociocentrism considered the South a land of heretics , sinners and people of little legitimacy, among other things because of his supposed blood-mixing. At the same time, however, the Andalusians have aroused a fascination as a people of ingenious artists who know how to live.
How then is it possible that Seville takes the penultimate place in the aforementioned survey? While ‘Viva er Betis manque perdera’ suggests a quixotic ideology of staying loyal in the face of adversity, Sevilla’s triumphs in recent years – especially in Europe – have cemented their image as a somewhat arrogant club. Cádiz and Betis are the teams of the people, while Sevilla symbolizes the Andalusian lord, somewhat arrogant and narcissistic. It is of course a matter of image, but people are guided by stereotypes.
The ‘Fire’ study provides other interesting data. The two Basque teams are among the five most loved. When ETA existed, much of Spain viewed anything coming from the Basque Country with suspicion. The end of terrorism and the adoption of nationalist claims under democratic parameters has improved the image of the Basque Country, to the same extent that most Spanish fans are now turning their resentment towards Catalonia. The research has its bias, as the majority of ‘Marca’ readers are Real Madrid fans. It is therefore clear that Girona takes the last position in the ranking and Barça the third from the last. A ‘Sport’ or ‘Mundo Deportivo’ survey would yield different data.
However, it is clear that not only the madridistas voted, as the merengue team sit in a discreet eighth place. The silver medal for Real Sociedad – which normally elicited less sympathy than Athletic – may be due to its position in the championship. For fans who are a little tired of the hegemony of the two greats, the season that the people of San Sebastian perform brings applause and hope.
A certain tiredness due to the fact that the same team always wins explains Villarreal’s fourth place in this particular ‘sympathometer’. The Castellón club is one of the clubs with the fewest members and followers. But people like that the team of a population of 50,000 inhabitants compete face to face with the greats. The human mind is designed to empathize with the weak: Rayo Vallecano, which has the lowest economic budget in the League, is the sixth best scoring team.
The philias and phobias are divided among the teams that bring together the most powerful responses. To a large part of the fans, Almería, Elche or Mallorca say nothing, that’s why they sit in the middle of the table: they do not motivate enthusiasm or rejection. However, other clubs with more tradition are identified with a certain uniqueness. Given the growing standardization in the global world, the specificity in Athletic’s transfer philosophy generates approval, especially if it manages to fight for European positions.
Of course, surveys play a large part in the specific moment in which they are conducted. I wouldn’t be surprised if what happened around Vinicius in recent weeks influenced the result. However, not all opinions are circumstantial. Betis remains their second team for many fans. Joaquín’s television appearances probably contributed to this result, which is seen by the fans as the maximum exponent of the Andalusian way of thinking. It is no less true that the specific preference of the person interpreting the data always influences: in this case a server, which acknowledges professing the Verdiblanca faith.
* Alberto del Campo Tejedor is Professor of Social Anthropology at Pablo de Olavide University
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
