Real Madrid's tasteless tifo, a reflection of the presidential box
A lifelong Real Madrid supporting friend of mine sent me a message after Tuesday's game stating: "They deserved to lose by three for wearing that hideous black and yellow kit”. I replied to him that the choice to wear the away kit was an imposition by UEFA. despite both teams facing each other for decades in their traditional shirts, games that have included five Spanish Cup finals and indeed two recent Champions League finals (in Lisbon and Milan). Ahead of the game on Tuesday some bright spark at UEFA decided that there was now a clash with both teams home shirts, hence the change. (¡?).
Pre-game banner at the Bernabéu
The same folk from UEFA saw no apparent problem with the pre-match banner display which even certain Madrid fans felt was too close to the knuckle: “Tell me how it feels”, alongside pictures of the two European Cup trophies secured by Madrid in Lisbon and Milan. The massive tifo was unfurled just before the game on Tuesday in the South stand and was as unnecessary as it was cruel. It comes as no surprise to me however that in the very same sector where Florentino approved the infamous "Your finger points the way" Mourinho banner, the Madrid president once again gave his consent to the banner displayed on Tuesday. What does surprise me is that UEFA, who are so fussy over almost every last detail (such as the shirt colours) permitted the pre-match display.
Poor taste from Real Madrid
I thought the message on the tifo was uncalled for. After seeing how well fans from both sides got along in both Lisbon and Milan this was a blow "below the belt". What really wrangles with me is that this was not the work of some crazed supporters, those that exist at every club, but a design agreed and possibly even proposed by the club. The 'finger in the eye' banner and now this the 'how does it feel to lose two major finals in cruel circumstances' message. This only ferments a culture of arrogance and poor taste that I feel Real Madrid should be above but it fits in with what we have sitting in the presidential box.
