Taiwan, Senegal 'Football Diplomacy' Out Gas

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, June 25, 2002

Taiwan, Senegal 'Football Diplomacy' Out Gas

When fans heard that Senegal soccer team would come to Taiwan for performance during the world cup period, 3,000 fans on the morning of June 24 rushed to the Chungshan Soccer Stadium for witnessing the team's impressive bearing, but unexpectedly, what they saw was a farce.

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Players sport no sportswear or gym shoes

TV broadcasting firms believed that Senegal soccer players would give a wonderful soccer show, they came at an early hour waiting, but when they arrived in the stadium, they saw Senegal players had neither sportswear on nor gym shoes.

After a little inquiry, they know that there was no match at all, but just a bit of "demonstration play".

During the presentation, fans asked for signatures of the players and took photos with them, finally, the demonstration ended up totally gas out.

What makes one most furious is that fans on the grandstand thought they could watch a wonderful match, but subsequently, what they saw was players were surrounded by fans, the performance sponsor Taiwan's Sports Committee had to let Senegal team leave when they could not control the situation.

Enraged fans besieged Senegal players' cars, not allowing them to leave and shouted, "We came early, but saw nothing."

Senegal team also felt they were innocent, they were just asked to give a show, but when they came, fans asked them to have a real play.

"President of the Executive Yuan" also sees no trace of Senegal team

Not to say fans, even president of the Executive Yuan also failed to meet Senegal players.

When the president turned up in the stadium, Senegal team had been nowhere but back to hotel

Regarding criticism, the sponsor shirked the responsibility onto media blaming it for its misleading of fans and with these there has been seen a profuse show of ensuing countercharges without doubt.

A media host spoke a piece of his mind by saying that "we got notice that Senegal team just needs a demonstration play, but the sponsor pointed the finger at media, is it reasonable?".

Face saving is more important than football

The farce immediately brought sharp criticism. Some people called it an "overnight love affair in diplomacy"

It is reported that Taiwan invited Senegal to the island for two days and one night, for the invitation it spent 100,000 US dollars (about 3.4 million Taiwan dollars) on treatment of a large procession of Senegal's players, coaches and retinue.

Some sources in football circle said quite disapprovingly with the matter, regarding that it is no better than using the overheads for Taiwan's football development.

Moreover, none in Taiwan Football Association knows French, they won't have a good communication with Senegal, sources said.

A certain mister from the Taiwan Football Association however minces no word on Taiwan, Senegal's "overnight love affair" in soccer diplomacy.

Senegal did a wonderful job in the world cup and as its diplomatic partner, he said, Taiwan wants to share the honor, expenditure on the invitation had been approved so fast, but funds for football development never comes so quick, it seems that face saving is more important than football.

By PD Online Staff Li Yan

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