Lebanese Teams now extensions of political/religious parties

[bedir than average]

Al Jazeera English - News - Lebanon's Empty Football Stadiums

Football may be the most popular sport in Lebanon, but week after week the stadiums, which can hold up to 60,000 people, are empty.

The Lebanese league is still under way, but there are no fans to support the teams, after an official ban on spectators was introduced by the government one season ago due to fears of political and religious-inspired violence.

later

Rahif Alameh, head of Lebanese Football Association, said that a lack of funds has allowed Lebanon's political parties to step in and finance the sport.

This, in turn, has politicised teams that would otherwise play simply for the love of the game.

"All the football clubs are backed by a party. Ahed for example is backed by Hizbullah, Hariri supports Nejmeh and Ansar, Druze politicians support Safa and the list goes on," he said.

I could hope that would mean they would solve their differences on the field, but alas, no, still too much violence in that former bastion of MidEast hope.