For about fifty years, I have been most diligent in following the Jordanian football league, which was back then called (First Division League), then (Premier League), and finally (Professional League). For this reason, I have formed certain convictions concerning Jordanian football fans, which argue that there are two essential fan pillars without whom the stands are incomplete, those are (fans of Al-Wehdat and Al-Faisaly), with my utmost respect to all other teams in the Kingdom.
And now to the crux of the matter, I say:
What's with Al-Wehdat fans— and I say fans because it’s more inclusive and comprehensive— abstaining from attending their team's matches, which has been and still is, God willing, a strong contributor to our national teams across all categories? Is it due to the technical level? I do not believe so
Although Al-Wehdat has not achieved impressive results at the beginning of this season, it promises good tidings especially since it has stars capable of making a change. The league is still in its early stages, and it’s the outcomes at the end that count. A prime example of this was last year when Al-Wehdat managed to close the point gap with the leader Hussein and even surpassed them by a point, if not for an equilibrium adjustment with Ramtha and what happened then, which everyone knows.
In my opinion, the reason Al-Wehdat fans are staying away from the stands is the ongoing situation in Gaza and across Palestine where some hold the view saying: How can Al-Wehdat fans come and cheer while our kin in all of Palestine are suffering from hunger, being killed, and having their homes demolished over their heads at the same time.
Here's the question: If Al-Wehdat plays without its fans, who benefits from that? Our kin in Palestine! Or the Al-Wehdat team! Or who?
On the contrary, there are two losses due to Al-Wehdat fans' absence. Firstly, the team loses its fans, who are considered the twelfth player invigorating the team with enthusiasm and morale. The second is a financial loss that primarily harms Al-Wehdat club's funds. So what if the fans attended and bought tickets, and the proceeds were sent to the kin in Gaza? Wouldn't that be better?.
Finally, I'd say that a league for Jordanian professionals lacks the color and flavor without Al-Wehdat fans, as the major teams' asset is their fans, especially when discussing Al-Wehdat fans!
Return, Al-Wehdat fans, adorn the corners of the stands, muster energies, and remind us of the good old days when Al-Wehdat supporters thronged the stadium, looking for a place to sit and finding none.
Sent by: Magdy Mahelan/Member of the Journalists Syndicate
