On Winning and Losing

[UnderAGreySky]

Here's a question that intrigues me.

First the background. English/Football-loving (that's soccer to some) folks will know the situation, so let me explain for the rest.

In the English Premier League (EPL), Chelsea is at the top with 80 points, Manchester United are second with 79. There are two matches left for each with 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw and none for losing. Man Utd won the league in '08 and '09, in the process winning their 17th and 18th titles. The only other team to have 18 titles in history is Liverpool who were runners-up last year. This year, Liverpool are 7th and not in contention for the title.

Traditionally, Liverpool and Man Utd fans hate each other. With a passion. Any slip by Chelsea means that Liverpool's most despised rivals are almost guaranteed to win the league and become the sole leader in number of trophies collected.

Today - in an hour, in fact - Liverpool play Chelsea.

So, if you were a Liverpool fan, would you want your team to lose, or do you take the high road and say "I want my team to win irrespective of its effect on other teams' results"?

An article in the Times, London, covered this. The debate in the comments is quite heated, though mercifully doesn't descend to CNN or Youtube levels.

Disclaimer: As a Manchester United fan (*dons flak jacket*) I want Liverpool to win, but then again I'm allowed to choose between other teams, aren't I? I may not like Liverpool but I don't like Chelsea either and I want the title

[SCRawl]

If it were me, I'd be going into the game knowing that it was a no-lose scenario. If my team managed to win, great, a win's a win. If the other team won, then at least there would still be the less desired (but still positive) outcome of a championship for the opponent instead of the "hated rivals".

Of course, I'm not a rabid sports fan. I like to watch sports as much as the next guy, but I can't get into the idea of hating people who like a different team.

[Admiral Valdemar]

I have known families, not just dads/sons, but whole families, who will fellate Satan before they wish good on their archnemesis rival team. Liverpool and Everton fans, or any intra-city rivalry, where Everton fans won't eat ketchup because it's red. True story.

[Spekio]

First off, I would like to say that I'm baffled by this. I don't claim to understand you crazy british with your queens and your house of lords and your awful, awful follow up to "Life on Mars".
But as a Football fan (you americans can shove that poorly disguised war simulation up your asses, for all I care) isn't the point of a championship to win said championship? So you need to standy by your rivals side on this game - it's not like they can rob you of that title anyways.
As for Liverpool fans, do you want your team to lose so that your rivals don't win? That's poor sportmanship, and well, your team is losing! Your rival is already going to rank higher than you, do you want to go lower than 7th?

Also, Brazil is looking foward to defeat you on World Cup. Just sayin'.

[Sarevok]

Since Liverpool is no longer in position to claim the title might as well lose and deny the rival club a chance to win it as well.

[Patrick Degan]

Stick with your team. Even if it means your hated rivals are going to win a championship. There is such a thing as loyalty even in sport. And how would your players feel if all their fans went over to the other side just out of sheer spite? It would be very demoralising on the field. No, if I were a Liverpool supporter, I'd stick with Liverpool no matter what.

[madd0ct0r]

Well Liverpool did loose in the end.


As an occasional Liverpool fan, I was quietly smug about Man U fans cheering for us.

Now it just burns twice as badly.