“You’ll Never Walk Alone”, a song adopted by the Reds’ fans in the early 1960’s, has since travelled around the world, transcending language barriers. German giants Borussia Dortmund have adopted the anthem, and their fans joined Liverpool supporters in a chorus of solidarity ahead of their April UEFA Europa League meeting, with the Hillsborough disaster’s 27th anniversary the following day. The moving gesture put sporting rivalry aside for a few minutes.
Tulisan di atas adalah alinea terakhir dari laman resmi FIFA (otoritas tertinggi sepakbola dunia) saat mengumumkan FIFA Fan Award 2016 di Zurih (9/1) bersama-sama penghargaan siapa-siapa saja yang dinobatkan sebagai insan-insan sepakbola terbaik di seluruh muka bumi ini (sementara itu, masih ada yang mempermasalahkan bumi itu bulat atau datar) sepanjang tahun 2016.
Ya, suporter Liverpool bersama dengan suporter Borussia Dortmund bersama-sama ditahbiskan mendapatkan Fan Award 2016. Keberhasilan ini juga sebuah sejarag mengingat FIFA Fan Award ini adalah penghargaan yang pertama kali diadakan.
Di ajang yang sama, malam itu di Zurich (9/1) FIFA juga menahbiskan Christiano Ronaldo sebagai pemain terbaik putra serta Claudio Ranieri sebagai pelatih terbaik. Di putri ada Carli Lloyd dan Sylvia Neid. Ada Atletico Nacional dari Kolombia yang mendapat Fair Play Award. Juga dari negeri jiran yang mencuri perhatian dunia dengan merebut Puskas Award 2016, Mohd Faiz Subris.
Video yang bikin merinding dan karenanya mari rayakan sejenak kemenangan fan, kemenangan suporter. Karena bagaimanapun apalah arti sepakbola tanpa suporter.
Senada, Jurgen Klopp mengapresiasi raihan prestasi itu di laman klub sebagai berikut:
“The atmosphere was the best I have ever experienced. It should serve as an example to everyone about how supporters can influence a team and influence a game.
“Of course, this award honours both sets of supporters and the respect shown by our friends from Dortmund was absolutely typical of the world-class values that club upholds. To honour the 96 victims, their families and the survivors of Hillsborough was very poignant.
“I know we won the match and the tie, but I think everyone inside Anfield that night and watching at home – whether they were wearing red or yellow and black – knows that football can be very proud of how they represented their club.
“So, on behalf of the Liverpool team and staff, I would like to thank those who voted for this special award.
“It is absolutely deserved and I hope the special memories created that night can serve as a perfect example of the joy and happiness football can bring. And it should also show than even in defeat, you can still honour your club’s name with your actions.
“The LFC and BVB families should be very proud tonight.”
Mari rayakan kemenangan fan. Mari rayakan kemenangan suporter. Mari rayakan keriangan sepakbola yang menginspirasi peradaban.
Sekali lagi: You’ll Never Walk Alone!
[kkpp, 10.01.2017]
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