While Premier League ans are protesting against rising ticket prices, supporters of Dutch giant PSV are vehemently protesting against the introduction of WiFi at Philips Stadion. Though these might sound like two very different matters, they are both rooted in the same issue: the gentrification of the matchday experience.
A small group of PSV supporters held up signs and banners expressing their stance against stadium WiFi service during their 6-1 win over NAC Breda to start the new season because attending a football match shouldn't be like hanging out at a Starbucks and your precious Instagram selfie can wait until after the match.
From the Guardian:
Fans in the T and U sections of the ground – the most vocal areas of the Philips Stadion – were angered by the club’s move to allow supporters better access to data on their mobile phones during matches, with one banner reading: “F*** Wi-Fi, support the team”. Placards with crosses running through the Wi-Fi signal were also held aloft before the match with many fans believing the support has been lessened by distracted fans looking at their phones instead of the match.
Supporters’ groups believe the introduction of the technology is just the latest in a series of decisions intended to gentrify the crowd at home matches, with stewards clamping down on standing in sections of the ground where supporters have preferred not to sit for a number of seasons. “You can sit at home” and “Stand united” banners were also held aloft.
Of course, this is likely a futile effort. For every one PSV fan against the introduction of WiFi, there are probably dozens of corporate ticket holders delighted with the idea. But with WiFi, at least NAC fan would have something to take their minds off being down 6-1. It's a merciful gesture from PSV, if you think about it.
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Brooks Peck is the editor of Dirty Tackle on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him or follow on Twitter! Follow @BrooksDT
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