Offside Sound-Off: Tell us About the Team You Love to Hate

By: Laurie | December 21st, 2007

A few weeks back, my son had a young friend over, and the talk turned to soccer. “My favorite team,” said the friend, “is Italia.”

That’s just how he said it. Italia.

So I kicked him out of my house and spread a rumor that he had lice.

Well, okay, not really. But the temptation was there.

Because I am a France fan. And if you’re a France fan, you hate Italia, almost by default, at least since World Cup, when their conniving lowlife Marco Materazzi goaded our sweet, innocent Zizou into taking an absolutely unprecedented and unexpected action which cost us the World Cup.

If you’re an Italy fan, is your blood boiling yet? Are you searching for bad videos of Zidane to prove me wrong, because you hate France? Good. That’s the point of this post.

Because we all have those teams. The teams that make our skin crawl. That make our teeth clench. That make us spit when we say their names, completely involuntarily. This post is all about the teams we hate so intensely that the hatred will express itself through our genes, getting passed on to our children, and to our children’s children.

We at The Offside want to hear from you about these team(s) — the teams you hate the most.

Sound Off in the comments.

(But let’s see if we can’t keep this relatively civil. Feel free to attack teams, but not the other commenters, okay?)

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Category: World Football

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glatisant

i love everyone man…. where’s my bong?
That made me laugh out loud. Thanks!

It takes so much energy to hate (or love, for that matter) a team, it's almost not worth it--then again, since when has fandom been about rationality?
Italy for me. It's more a case of revulsion than hatred, though.
yad

I hate chelsea. Plain money showoff thats it. hate arsenal too. can you name one english player that grew through their acedemy. noooooooooooooooo. i hate gooners
Lowe

Oh yeah- I forgot this one-
Cromwell.
Its a local high school thing, but man, do I hate them.
Ernesto

I hate the U.S., great team but full of stuck up players, especially Donovan
mctalian

1. English Football Media (Delusional hypesters engaged in an international campaign to make the world believe they have a decent national team. They don't)
2. French fans (repeat after me: Trezeguet missed. We lost. It's over. It's time to move on)
3. Arsenal: (football's art gallery team; the wine-and-cheese crowd club)
4. Inter Milan: (think they're hot shit but only became good by poaching players after the Serie A scandal. A bunch of hired guns)
5. Lazio. 'Cause I'm for Roma and it's required.
"Namesake"

OK, I was trying to keep it nice about Celtic. At the end of the day, it's much more of a religious thing in my view. And I'll pull for the Protestants over the Catholics any day. With all due respect, of course.
Matt

Namesake...glad you know Celtic's history...not. If you had any clue, you'd realize that the team was formed BY A IRISH MONK for IRISH IMMIGRANTS! The team is(although it's debatable whether the current board is in favor of it) and always will be connected with Ireland, not to mention a good portion of the fan base IS from Ireland. Is a club that regularly belts out rousing renditions of "Rule, Britania" more Scottish?
Andrew

Hmm. England, Man U, Liverpool, West Ham, whoever is playing Tottenham that weekend, Mexico, St Johnstone, and Germany. In no particular order, except that England and any team that Wayne Roone is on are at the top of the list.

I know as a Tottenham fan, I should hate Arsenal most of all, but I can't bring myself to do it. Also, since I'm in the US, I should have a good MLS hatred worked up, but, aside from the Revs, there's not much there (and frankly, that's more of a passing distaste than a full-on hatred).
QJA

Blue is the color, football is the game...

I'm a Chelsea fan. It's funny though: I don't have any concrete ties to the club, I just like the color and the players and Jose Mourinho. Without concrete ties, I don't think I can legitimately hate Man Utd, Liverpool, and all the usual suspects, especially because they play on a level you just don't see in the States. Yet.

However, as a D.C. United fan, born and raised Metro area, I have a legitimate hatred for NYRB, New England, and the g****mn Fire.

I like France. Enough said.

I thought I was a 'Gers fan, but after Beasley got injured I realised it was just infatuation. I've a healthy respect for Scotland's MNT; as an American, I can identify with the struggle against... ... ...I want to say the traditional European powers, but isn't Scotland a traditional European power? From the 19th century?

Doesn't matter. My List of Hate:

1) Chicago
2) New England
3) NYRB
4) Italy
5) ... and Tottenham, out of sheer loyalty.
Matt

The first and most obvious is Mexico. There's simply nothing that gets on my nerves more than seeing a game played in the U.S. between us and Mexico, and most of the fans are Mexican. But the thing that really gets me is that they LIVE IN THE U.S. So they come to this country because it's the best in the world, and then boo our national anthem and wave their Mexican flags. It does me great joy to see our national team absolutely own them.
My other major hate is Celtic. What's up with fans in Scotland waving Irish flags? Those fans are idiots.
Mele419

Oh, and those blue bastards Chealsea, and the stupid Gunners.
Mele419

INTER INTER INTER MERDA!
FRANCE.
Juve.
Roma.

FORZA ITALIA
FORZA MILAN!
=]
Tuominen

Juve is the worst of all! I'm not sure if they are capable of scoring a single normal and legal goal if i'm watching their game! Others are inter, ac milan, barca, chelsea and liverpooool. Most disgusting player is rooney when filming for penalties! Yeah i'm a multifan of roma, real and arsenal..
Sterling

Clubs:
Most of the EPL - Watching Chelsea or Man U play is like having my left hand repeatedly smashed with a ballpeen hammer, then being told to jump into a Guitar Hero tournament.
Milan - Berlusconi's pet project, which makes it suspect immediately. I hate Inzaghi as instinctively as I breathe. Also, it seems like every time they play Celtic in CL, someone dives spectacularly.
Inter - For a nation that prides itself on fashion sense, the uniform looks like a bruise, and they're largely coasting on post-Calciopoli fallout.
Lazio - I need to go visit our local Serie A spot, which is owned by Laziali, just to ask them how the relegation zone feels, since they teased my wife and I at the end of February's derby against Roma.
Juve - Do I really need to say any more?
Real Madrid - They're somewhere on par with Milan, Juve, and Man Utd. for teams I'd sooner burn their jersey than wear.

National:

Mexico - I'm an American. Through thick, thin, and bad Beasley days, I support.
France - I'm married to an Italian. I pretty much have to.
Ian

I was wondering when either Matt or JT would chime in. Without the Old Firm, there just can't be a blog about teams that hate each other. All is now right with the universe, and I can go to sleep.
Alex

1. Italy - enough said (national)
2. England - egos as big as the universe
3. Italy - all the domestic teams
Matt

I'm not a Billy, I'm a Tim (THANK FUCK!) I'm not a Billy I'm a Tim!

I despise Rangers first and foremost.

I also despise the entire Mexican national team.
zach

Born and bred in Dalls, Houston Dynamo are my first hate. Mexico, Lazio, France, real madrid, barca, juve, inter, milan, chelsea, manure, arse, liverpool.. big clubs with money can suck it.
Musab

Them stinking Fenerbahce'lis with their cheaply bought Brazilians and their lack of any real Turkish talent, and their son of a bitch president (don't wanna say his name), and their damn hooligan fans, and 99% of their fans.

I wish them all nothing but misfortune and for them to burn in the deepest pits of hell. :)
Ian

MB - thrilled to know that Scotland's results against France earned them a place next to Italy in your circle of hatred. Mine would have to be England and Hearts.
Hana

Two Words: Inter Milan. I mean, it's kind of in the job description of being a rossonera. Ibra, honestly hun, you couldn't switch over? my love for you kind of conflicts with my dislike of inter. but, given our history of snatching old inter players... (one brilliant andrea pirlo and seedorf come to mind)
tenaciouslee

Laurie I was at that Sounders game too! Although, growing up near Dallas made me a very confused fan at the beginning of the game - flopping fish Ruiz cleared up the issue for me, though. His national team pulled some antics when our boys played them last, too, if I recall.

Let the hate flow....
MB

New England Revolution (I am a Fire Fan), Scotland and Italy (Both because I am a France fan)
matt

also how is real madrid in this so many times? lots of barca support i guess...hate barca...so much.
matt

i hate liverpool. they obviously can't compete in league with the other 3 and act like they can...how bout win the league you're in. apparently it doesn't matter to those clowns. how bout chicken with his head cut off stevie g? his playing style is exactly that of jim carrey's character in cable guy. rafa the rotator...don't need to say much else about that. they do have an awesome song though..i'll give em that.
Martha

Come on, Roberto, you gotta love him a little -- if he wasn't there, Moggi would have to be the devil all by himself.
Laurie

Lowe, one of the high points of my entire life was when France beat Brazil in World Cup '06. (Or 1998. Take your pick.)

I have the 2006 game on DVD and have to watch it at least once every couple of months.
Lowe

Simply stated, and I know this will cause trouble, Brazil.
Then everyone else who wins all the time and think it is their god given right to do so, no matter what.
And Red Bull New York. Just for the name.
John

1) New England Revolution-- Never in the course of human history has such a talented team produced a whinier group of fans.
2) New York Red Bulls-- see #1
3) Chicago Fire-Blanco
Laurie

N, I started writing the France page on World Cup Blog several months before I started writing the Galaxy page, and they're still my first love.

I can't explain it. It's visceral and defies logic. It has a lot to do with style of play, which I find beautiful, but it's more than that.

It also has to do with the multi-racial and multi-cultural black, blanc, beur aspect of the team in a country and continent that struggles with these issues. France has players who would probably not otherwise be accepted in society, and yet they represent at the highest levels. This fascinates me.

And yes, it has to do with Zidane, who is a living dichotomy of skill and talent, rage and violence. If you took away the rage you wouldn't have the skill, and this is all mixed up with his growing up poor and Algerian in French society. It's all a part of the makeup of the team.

(And it was actually my great-grandma, thankyouverymuch. It doesn't give me a "basically a citizen" feel, but it's definitely a connection. So sue me.) :-)
john

Inter. Barce. Tottenham (am I really the first to hate on Tottenham?). Chelsea. And last, but certainly not least, i HATE bayern munich (I won't even grant them capital letters).
N

Why support france when you're form the U.S. and you write a blog about an American team? What's the French connection?
Is it the old "I studied abroad in France/Italy/England/where ever, so that's who I should support" story?
Or is it "My great grandpa was French/Italian/English so I'm basically a citizen"?
Nolan

Real Madrid always first. I hate the way they throw money around (and this is coming from another G14 fan), I hate their sketchy history, I hate their kit, I hate Robinho's goal celebrations, I hate their Nazi ultras, I hate all their presidents, I could go on forever.

Other than that I have a strong dislike for most EPL teams, the English national team, Espanyol fans (but I respect their team), Lazio, and Juve.
Jon

1. MLS.

2. The Offside since Bob left.

3. If I had the wings of an eagle,
If I had the ass of a cow,
I'd fly over Seattle tomorrow,
And sh*t on those bastards below.
Big Lu

almost forgot real madrid
Big Lu

FRANCE, JUVE, GALAXY AND LIVERPOOL.
FORZA INTER
Tim

Juventus. I'm also not a fan of the Mexican national team, Manchester United, Cheslea, Lazio, Real Madrid, Rangers, Milan, River Plate, Chicago Fire and probably a few more. But Juve is the worst of all.
Sprinter

To ge this all off my chest:

The entire EPL. Not the teams in particular, just the league (well, ok, maybe Liverpool, but def not Arsenal). Nothing personal against them, it's just that English-language coverage predictably oozes bias for this league to the point where I wouldn't be surprised many newcomers to football think La Liga and Serie A are the NCAA to the EPL's professional sport! English national team also, by extension ("this year, we should make the finals!"). Ugh, every tournament it's the same nonsense. Maybe from now on there'll be some humility though...

Speaking of national teams, there is on national team that I enjoy seeing fail (over and over) more than any other... One team that caused me some considerable childhood trauma in '98. Yes... I'm talking about France. Last World Cup, I celebrated (HARD) on that missed Trezeguet penalty... I still support the hell out of Ligue 1 teams though :)
Lubaba

Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Chelski, Manure, Bayern Munich, France!
Lucas

When I was just a little boy
I asked my Mother: "What should I be?
Should I be Timbers? Should I be sounders?"
Here's what she said to me:

"Don't be stupid, son!
Go get your father's gun!
And shoot the FLOUNDER SCUM!
And Timbers you'll be..."

[/Doris Day hates the sounders -- true story]
James

I hate Materazzi, Argentina, and 99% of L.A. Galaxy
Christian

At the very top the Mexican national team, then right below that any club team from Mexico.

As a River Plate fan, Boca Juniors, Independiente, and Newell's Old Boys get no love from me.

In Europe, the England national team, and those whiny scum scouser Liverpool fans. And while I wouldn't call it hate, I love it when barcelona fail.

Finally back in the US, the LA Galaxy are the Coke II of soccer.
Laurie

I forgot till after I wrote this how much I hate the ethically challenged sleazebags of FC Dallas. When they played the Seattle Sounders in the Open Cup, they finally got a goal in the beginning of overtime, then faked injury for five and six minutes at a time to keep Seattle from getting the ball.

When the ball went out by a Dallas coach and a Seattle player went to collect it, the Dallas guy kicked it away.

Scumbags.
Melissa

I hate DC United. They need to quit winning all the time then showing up in tournaments, representing our asses, and blowing it.

I also have less hate more annoyance for old-school SJ fans who (often without even realizing it) berate people who are not thinking like its still 2005. Here's the deal: when I say "Classico," I absolutely mean Chivas v Galaxy. We can start differentiating between the SJ v Galaxy Classico and the Chivas v Galaxy Classico the moment SJ finally step on the pitch BUT NOT BEFOREHAND!!!!
Johnny on the Spot

I hate the team in charge of the White House
Matt

I would have to say Middlesbrough. Not because they are particularly offensive in any way. They are just so spectacularly mediocre its unbelievable. At least the bottom of the table clubs have matches that are exciting to watch. I think I would rather go to the Magic: The Gathering world cup than a Boro match.

I have never seen a team that is so blah. Depressing.
roswitha

I have a massive chip on my shoulder about the EPL as a whole. In fact, I'm a bit of a tin-hat as far as the Premiership is concerned. The media overkill, the culture of greed, the corporatocracy, the sanctimonious priggery, the insularity -- god, I hate it. [I end up watching a lot of it, though.]

Oh, and Juventus. Collectively more annoying than a team of Raymond Domenech clones.
Jan

I hate eccentric oligarchs and media tycoons wasting their hard earned money on football players instead of curing cancer and changing the climate for good.
J

Italy, for sure. All the random Americans with Italian ancestry back in the 1800's who suddenly started buying "Italia" track jackets after the World Cup drive me nuts. They probably can't even pronounce half the names on the Italian roster . . . and they probably don't follow soccer, anyway. And I don't want to bother getting into all the diving theatrics of the Italian players. It just raises my blood pressure too much.
eltiger11

I hate Lazio and Chelsea. Those are two teams that suck the hardest, there fans are crap and thier teams are crap... Livorno Forza!!!!
Bruno Romani

I hate Argentina and Corinthians.
dreni

i hate all the serie a clubs they're booooooring
Jamesey

chivas usa is the team of subhumans and scumbag supporters who I wouldn't extinguish with piss if they were on fire. They abort puppies in the third trimester and eat them.
Mike

inter for sure. but recently Man U. mostly because most of the "fans" i have talked to, weather it be online or in person, bring up the 7-1 last year. they just seem to be retarded and think that roma has that happen to them all the time.