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The History and Growth of Soccer
Soccer is undoubtedly one of the most popular sports not only
in Europe and South America, but across the globe. It is a sport that has over
the years attracted a wide range of fans from all categories. Federation
International Football Association (FIFA) estimates that over 240 million
people across the globe play soccer on a regular basis (FIFA, 2014). The
history of this sport, that generally entails expertly engaging the legs while
struggling for a ball, is a long standing one, dating as far back as over 2,000
year ago. Back then, soccer and the balls used were so rudimentary, and some
historical soccer legends suggest that various items akin to ball were used ranging
from human and animal heads, to sewed cloth and even cow bladders! (FIFA,
2013). To attract a large number of fans
and enthusiasts across the globe, soccer has had to contend with attempts by
some authorities in the early times, who were against the sport and more often
than not, frowned on the kind of violent reaction that the sport was eliciting
among fans. The object of this paper is to trace the history of soccer, provide
general information about the sport, the rules and regulations governing it, and
give highlights of some renowned players of all times and various soccer
leagues.
Origin and the History of Soccer
While there are no records that explicitly reveal
specifically where and when soccer originated or began from, there at least
exist a general agreement among historians that the sport has been in existence
for more than 3,000 years in ancient China, Greece, Japan, Rome, and even
Egypt, before fully evolved to what it is today in England. Various forms of
soccer existed in various parts of the world. For example, in China, some
historical evidence show that there existed ‘Tsu Chu’, which was a game similar to soccer in that it
involved kicking a ball made of leather with a tiny hole that was filled with
fur (Topends Sports, 2014). The Japanese had a game called ‘kemari’ which was
akin to soccer involving a minimum of two and a maximum of twelve players, who
kicked a saw dust filled ball in a field with four trees demarcating it
(Topends Sports, 2014). The Romans alike had a game known as ‘harpastun’, which
consisted of two opposing sides competing to gain and retain ball possession
for the longest time possible (Crocombe, 2014). These early games presented
primitive soccer, and were played using not only the feet, but also the hands,
and at time sticks were also employed for ball control. Again, these games
lacked any kind of organization .They were spontaneous, full of violence, and
the number of players was unspecified (FIFA, 2014) The games were mostly a
contest between villages, who maneuvered a ball in the streets, across the
fields, and even in streams, not only through kicking with their feet, but also
through any other means (FIFA, 2014).
The growth of modern soccer, as we know it today, traces its origin from
England. Several theories have attempted to explain the origin of football in
Europe. The Anglo-Saxon theory hold it that the game originated in Anglo-Saxon
where it was played for the first time using the Prince of Danish’s head, that
had been severed after he was overthrown from power (FIFA, 2014). The ‘mob
football’ theory suggests that soccer thrived in the British Isles and France,
and it was said that players could use all means possible to possess the ball
as long as they did not murder a fellow player. The evolution of soccer took
place in England where significant changes and modifications were introduced
that brought sanity into the game. For example, around 1815, the Eton college
of England came up with soccer rules and the game was introduced in
universities and colleges (Crocombe, 2014). In 1863, Football Association (FA)
was formed in London which saw the merging of various rules into a uniform set
of rules from which the first soccer tournament took place in London. Around 1875, FA cup was introduced, followed
by the Foundation of Football League which was born in 1888. From then on,
European countries, such as Switzerland, Denmark, and Belgium, established
soccer clubs. FIFA was then established in 1904 by European delegates and by
1930, Uruguay hosted the first FIFA World Cup (Crocombe, 2014).
General Information about Soccer and its Rules and
Regulations
FIFA is the
international body governing football using the agreed rules. Some of these
rules include; the field of play rule, which requires soccer fields to be green,
have specific dimensions and level. FIFA requires a standard field to be 100 to
130 yards in length and 50 to 100 yards in width (Coggin, 2014). Soccer ball
rule specifies the type of ball to be used.
The ball has to be spherical, between 68 to 70 centimeters in
circumference, between 410 and 450 grams in weight, and not more than 0.6
atmospheric pressure (Coggin, 2014). At any given time, the number of players
must be 11 from each team. One of the 11 must be a goal keeper. On equipment,
all players must wear shin guards, similar colored shirts, and footwear. The
Jersey consists of the same colored shirt with sleeve and a short. The goal
keeper’s jersey should be of a different color. No jewelries are allowed in the
field. There must be one referee with full authority, assisted by two assistant
referees at the opposite lines. On duration, a match must have two halves, each
lasting 45 minutes. The resting period at half time should not exceed 15
minutes. Added time may be considered to compensate for time wasted during
injuries, substitutions, and other events (Coggin, 2014). Games are started by
a kick off. Kick off can also occur say
after a goal, or at the start of half time. On scoring method, a goal occurs
when a ball passes the goal line at the two posts, and if there is no offside
or a foul. The team with the highest number of goals wins the match. On
offside, a player is considered not in the game if he is offside at the time he
or his teammate has possession of the ball (Coggin, 2014). Soccer has countless
other goals that govern the sport and ensure discipline and fair play.
Famous Football Personalities
Several personalities have emerged and gained popularity in
the world of soccer. Among the big names of all times include; Pele, Diego
Maradona, Johan Cruyff, Michael Platini, Christiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi,
Neymar among many other famous soccer players. Pele has won numerous titles in
the 60s and 70s. He played for Brazil as a formidable striker and dribbler.
Diego Maradona is a controversial but
talented Brazilian player who stunned the world with his soccer talent. He was
a talented dribbler and also played for Barcelona and Boca Juniors. Currently,
famous players include Lionel Messi an Argentine playing for Barcelona and
among the best strikers in the world. Other best strikers include Luis Suarez
from Uruguay playing for Barcelona, Robin Van Persie, a Dutch playing for
Manchester United, Christiano Ronaldo see a Portuguese playing for Real Madrid
who is among the best mid fielder in the world with many goals. Other famous
mid fielders include Iniesta, Robben, Yaya Toure, and Ces Fabrigas among
others.
Soccer Leagues
By around the 20th century, most countries, especially in
Europe, had formed soccer leagues. Currently, almost each country has its own
footballs leagues where several matches are organized. The biggest is in
Europe, the champion’s leagues which is directly under the governing body, the
Union of European Football Association (EUEFA). Most Europeans countries such
as England, Germany, Spain, and Italy participate in champions league (FIFA,
2014). England has its own leagues, Barclays Premier League, comprising of only
teams within England such as Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea,
and Man City among others. There are up to twenty clubs under Football
Association (FA) premier leagues. Other leagues in Europe include La Liga from
Spain, Bundesliga of Germany among others. Europe has the most active and
lucrative soccer leagues followed by South American Football Federations, which
is a body responsible for soccer in South America and organizing leagues.
Examples include Argentina premier leagues, Brazilian premier leagues
consisting of clubs such as Sao Paolo and Santos.
In conclusion, soccer is the sport in the world that has
generated more enthusiasm among fans than any other sport. Soccer has evolved
from the crude form it used to be during its initial phases to become one of
the most lucrative, popular, and entertaining sports ever. The growth of soccer
has brought with it issues like sports betting, various leagues, state of the
art stadiums, soccer fixtures and the famous world cup . The participation of
women in soccer during word cup is the evidence that soccer has attracted and
continues to attract all kinds of fans and players every single day.
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