FOOTBALL UNITES GEORGIANS ….. AROUND CONSPIRACIES
A large part of voters in Georgia feel not represented by political parties, at least according to the polls, but thank God there is football! As political turmoil temporarily gives way to football fever, and each game produces new heroes, nowhere do Georgians feel more visible than in the stories of individual athletes. . The others can recognize with those known for their hard work or those who had to battle poor health to get where they are.
Others may be inspired by those who have personal courage or feel close to Atlas types who are burdened by heavy expectations. We, too, must admit that we felt something when one of the most admired players, Giorgi Kochorashvili, shyly confessed that he enjoyed writing. And when it comes to economic or geographic backgrounds, our national group may be more representative than the legislative body of Georgia. But you know the game of representation has gone too far when people start relating a lot to the oppression – real or imagined – of their football idol
Hot summer days in Georgian cities, and it seems that instead of looking for rest, everyone is oppressing their brains with their new passion for… mathematics. After the first miracle of reaching the European Football Championship, Georgian fans have increased their appetite for another miracle: making it to the knockout stage. The performance in the first two games against Turkey and Czechia earned Georgia a point and the hearts of many international fans. Individual players exceeded in different categories, including goalkeeping, defense, and attack. But more than just praise and individual statistics will be needed to advance to the next stage, especially as the team prepares for their final group game against group leader Portugal. Close prospects? Not when you’re from Georgia and have a long history of things out of your control helping you.
For the past few days, all anyone has been doing is calculating the odds. Portugal, who are guaranteed a place in the knockout stages, must conserve their energy and not lose to us… the other potential third placers in other groups cannot suddenly start playing better football than before, and one of them must be defeated by a favorite of at least three goals, and if the moon is in the seventh house, Jupiter trines Mars, and other stars aligning for Georgia, we still have a chance. But the perfect plan has a problem: one of the stars is suspiciously missing.
Where is Budu?
The past few months have catapulted Budu Zivzivadze, a Georgian striker who plays for Karlsruhe SC in Germany’s second tier league, into the limelight. His many qualities quickly earned him the status of a golden boy with the energy of a golden retriever. his dance to Released from Desire on the night of March 26, after a historic qualifying victory over Greece, became one of the most memorable moments of Georgian football. When he offered Georgians his home in Germany if they couldn’t book hotels for the Euro games, many saw him as embodying the best of his hometown, Kutaisi. Then the protests against the foreign agents law began, and he was one of the first to speak out against the law, earning him a reputation as a good citizen as well.
Most importantly, Budu knows how to find the back of the net, scoring two winning goals in the crucial first qualifying play-off against Luxembourg in March. He scored again in the recent friendly against Montenegro just minutes after coming off the bench. He scores, smiles all over his face, celebrates the Gen Z heart movement, and continues to gain more fans. The growing popularity booked him places on magazine covers and in commercials. This led to many expecting to see him play at the Euros, only to be disappointed when he was about to get playing time, fueling anger and… conspiracy theories across the country.
I don’t believe in conspiracy theories, but…
It all started in early June. In a lengthy podcast interview, Zivzivadze reiterated his support for those who suffered police violence during the protests and continued to criticize Russia as “an enemy state not only for (Georgia) , but in almost everything.” His statements were picked up by various media outlets, and soon social media was flooded with cards featuring his comments. But the chaos did not last long: some outlets immediately took the cards, explaining their decision by Zivzivadze’s own request, citing his need to focus on European games.
This led some to attribute the act to pressure from above. The Georgian Football Federation is headed by the ruling Georgian Dream party MP Levan Kobiashvili, a Georgian football veteran. Tbilisi mayor and GD general secretary Kakha Kaladze, another former football star, is also seen to have a hand in sporting events. The party now has a long record of meddling in normally non-political areas, such as sports and culture. To the suspected pressure added claims that Zivzivadze received some coordinated hate on social media after the comments, and when he scored against Montenegro, the pro-government Imedi TV was unusually late to celebrate purpose online.
It was soon almost forgotten, but then came the European Championship and Zivzivadze was not in the starting line-up against Turkey. There were some initial complaints, but those more familiar with the game agreed that it made sense for him to be second choice to alternative striker Georges Mikautadze, who was coming off a great season in the French top league (and scored two of last two Euro games). And yet, Zivzivadze is known to be more effective when he comes off the bench later in the game. But on this day, he was not allowed to enter the field until the 85th minute, sparking discontent and conspiracies that Budu was being punished for his political stance. However, many fans do not want to believe this – even among those who are critical of the government, such views can easily detract from their anticipated enjoyment of the historic football moment.
But when Budu was not allowed to take the field during a match against Czechia, even longtime fans had second thoughts: after all, conspiracy theories exist because there are conspiracies, not right? The issue quickly exploded and a kind of campaign emerged on social media, demanding truth, justice, and playing time for Budu. Adding to the backlash was the fact that those allowed to play in his place failed to capitalize on real opportunities to end the game in a Georgian victory.
Again, some passionate fans do not want to buy these theories, and some even say that such claims are at the dangerous level of conspiracy thinking in Georgian society. Willy Sagnol, the French coach of the national team and a former player for France and Bayern Munich, will not be swayed by political interference, the argument continues, saying that Budu’s settlement in poor consideration of the Sagnol’s football decision. And there are other players who are also critical of the law but are not prosecuted (the counter-argument is that it is more difficult to find their alternatives in the bank of substitutes).
‘Wow‘ Contest
With not all the stars aligning the way we wanted them to over the past two days, it looks like Georgia’s only option to advance to the knockouts is to beat Portugal today. Will Mr. Sagnol reach the lost star to get things done? It is not clear, but whatever the decision, the damage has been done: if Budu plays, he will have to deal with the enormous pressure that the controversy has placed on his shoulders.
“I am insulted every day by some twats (…) I say it again, twats” Sagnol told the press on June 25, apparently tired of receiving backlash “for absolutely no football reasons”.
A legitimate response from a professional who has been inundated with some serious accusations? Well, Mr. Sagnol could save some kind words, at least in his mind, for those responsible for poisoning the political environment like that before a historic tournament. Or he’ll just win the game and we’ll forget all about it.