I guess we all recognize the story about football – the European version i.e. soccer - as a global medium of peace and development. From Europe to Africa, from Asia to Far-East football has been the bridge of peace and possibilities. You remember the stories of boys-of-the-slums whom just kept playing football and become billionaires and global sport stars, don’t you? We have seen so many stories of football breaking the barriers between cultures and people, even over the politics and wars.

But what is happening now - football is a war! If we believe the news stories spreading around the world right now, at least. And unfortunately we don’t have a choice, I think. Football is currently the mirror of the development – or un-development and frustration, you might add. But what has happened? Where are the smiling faces and happiness? And why we have all the stones and violence in this picture now? Read this from NY Times.

Sorry to say but this is very different from those times when the football-hooligans were doing their stupid things. This is serious game. If I was sitting behind the CMO table of Adidas or Nike, I would be worried. What the heck happened with the friends and united campaigns? Shall I soon see my shoes and shirts in a newscast telling about the violence before/after an important match? And how in the earth we are going to handle the next World Cup’s PR?

Good luck FIFA. Good luck Adidas and Nike. Cheers for football and peace!