Taking a Stand in the Grandstands
In the U.S., go to almost any professional sporting event and look in the stands — just about everyone sits. But at soccer matches throughout the world, many fans prefer to stand.
The tradition of standing is so entrenched that games like Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League semifinal at London’s Emirates stadium often elicit battles between ticket-holders who want to stay on their feet and security guards who want them to relax a little.
In fact until the 1990s, stadiums in England included large standing terraces where spectators were treated like cattle. In America, however, custom and shouting have always kept people down in front at big-time baseball or basketball games.
wsj.com
5/5/09
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Magnolia Tribune
This article was produced by Magnolia Tribune staff.
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