For civil society!

So far, there are two actions in this story. First, the Landskron - the site of the Zenit fans - published a point of view on how Gazprom News in the Club, then the club replied that "players are not in this team by nationality, but thanks to their sports qualities and achievements." But the details a little later, the main thing is that the precedent itself is more important than the details.

The main reason for the club’s response was that in the manifesto (the message was called that way) there was a detailed look at the selection of players. So the categorical inadmissibility of attracting black football players (generally not white), gays and players from Spartak, CSKA and Dynamo was indicated. But this is precisely particular, since the meaning is much more massive and goes beyond even these important topics. Such a serious approach to the document is justified, because the message itself has numerous evidence of the mental development and cultural horizons of its authors. For example, " we do not want to allow the transformation of" zenith "from, let's say, a unique author’s cinema into another Hollywood blockbuster ."

So, "Manifesto " Selection-12 "" on "Landskron". It is immediately stated that for fans it is important to " preserve identity " by the club. After that, a very detailed complex of tips follows how to preserve it, and these points simultaneously indicate which elements this identity is folded. The "identity" itself is the main word here, and this immediately transfers history into the category of not only sports.

This is already a manifestation of the activity of exactly civil society, which puts forward its requirements about one of (in fact of their sensation) institution, presenting a detailed point of view on how it should be in accordance with their ideas. There is no scuffle: this is exactly what happened here.

The document is excellent in the nuances, but the above basis is more important. In fact, the authors of this message (fans there, not fans - it doesn’t matter: citizens) are concerned primarily primarily to those who they are. That is, yes, they have already chosen their identification: they are fans of Zenit. It would seem, what else? The matter has been done, so they decided. Such a choice and the very fact of its presence, of course, can cause envy of those who cannot yet decide on their identification.

But they want to identify not just with Zenit, but only with the way he see him correct. That is, they want identification with the ideal that it is wonderful, and, of course, this is real civic activity.

So the manifest is a specific example of such activity, which is already interesting. At the same time, the disputed parameters are clear, and the sentence is painted quite clearly and in detail. First, there is an input on how and why this is how to equip the club. In full accordance with the principle of "personnel solve everything":

" Selection - 12.
We do not want to allow the transformation of “zenith” from, let’s say, a unique author’s cinema into another Hollywood blockbuster. That is why, it is important for us to convey to the leadership of our club and the general layers of the public our own vision of which players we want to see as part of the team and what, our view, should be the breeding policy of Zenit .

Further - according to the points of the requirements for personnel policy (consistent exposures - well, it is worth it):

" Football qualities .
Petersburg, despite his “intelligent face” and the corresponding image, has always been connected with the working class. A huge number of factories and factories have historically existed in our city historically. Yes, and Zenit itself, as you know, has factory roots. That is why, the fans have always appreciated real hard workers on the field, who could compensate for the lack of talent for frantic dedication ... "

Mentality (human qualities)
... Total: what do we want from the players of Zenit outside the football field?
- worthy behavior in everyday life that meets the cultural norms of St. Petersburg;
- respect for people, the lack of "star disease" in everyday communication;
- interest in the history of our city and country, respectful attitude to our values;
- relationships with the young players “Zenith” on the basis of mutual respect and help in professional growth - we are all “Zenith”!;
- We are against the fact that “football passes”, constantly changing clubs, appear at Zenit;
- We do not want Zenit players to publicly demonstrate their addiction to alcohol or cigarettes;
- We are against the fact that representatives of sexual minorities play in Zenit ...

The principles of selection
... For us, it is fundamentally important that Zenit retains its own identity, and does not turn into an average European team, with a standard set of legionnaires ... "

Everything is very detailed and here, it is reduced to it from which regions you can take the players (they are all there with justifications, why it is referred to):
" Priority direction No. 1. St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region.
Priority direction No. 2. North-Western region and Central Russia.
Priority direction No. 3. The rest of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, Slavic countries, Baltic countries and Scandinavia.
Priority direction No. 4. The rest of the Europe.
Any other continents, except Europe, should not be a priority for Zenit. .. Why? The answer is simple - this is not in the teeth of racism or nationalism, the club just disappears regional identity, we cease to associate ourselves with it . ”

And, of course, after all this detailed approach of life, it is logical and subsequent implementation in the topic:

" Salary ceiling
We suggest that the club management consider the issue of introducing the ceiling of wages, both for young players and for the main composition.
The limit on legionnaires and the lack of full competition led to the fact that many young players think only about the new contract, fashionable things and cars, instead of concentrating on professional football growth and sports results.
As the practice of recent years shows, players of the main composition regularly set a pernicious example to young players, almost blackmailing the club management when concluding new contracts . "

And this is, in general, the question of moral morality and lifestyle, which meets the selected identification. That is, everything is already completely seriously, since it meets the intra -Russian trends, referring to Cossacks, Hermitage, Madonna, various bills. The society in St. Petersburg is specifically formed, civilian - and not only among the fans of Zenit.

Well, again about the color:

" Zenit" and black players
We, as the northernmost club from large European cities, have never been mentally connected with Africa, however, like South America or Australia and Ocean. We have absolutely nothing against the inhabitants of these and any other continents, but at the same time we want the players, first of all, who are close in spirit and mentality for “Zenit”. Now, Zenit, black players are imposed almost by force and this causes only a reverse reaction.
Let us be the way we are . "

It’s not about the “blacks” are interesting, but the last phrase: “ Let us be the way we are .” That is, citizens who have found their identity in commitment to this club have already made a transfer and actually declare that they are the bearers of this identity. That is, they are already a club themselves and, thus, they put forward demands on their attitude. Of course, civil society. The main thing is organizational and specific requirements. And the occasion is a matter of everyday life. And they do not even demand victories, if only to "be as it is."

But here it is already interesting who exactly is on the other side. And there is Gazprom, which, in particular, has a slightly different idea of ​​identity. They are imposed on them here, but how is it possible? As a result : “ The press service of the St. Petersburg club emphasized that Zenit has always been tolerance and united players of different nationalities.” Our club has a multimillion-dollar army of fans from all continents, ”the Zenit press service said . All continents are sick, aga.

And, if you recall the connection of Gazprom and the authorities as such, it turns out a curious model of civic activity. It is not so that a certain group of persons requires something vague from the authorities, with which it does not correlate itself (claiming that power is illegitimate). Here, otherwise, an organized group of citizens, which specifically correlates itself with the club, requires from its specific leadership to behave exactly as they consider correct. It is no longer so important that, in fact, they have no formal rights to this, it seems, the fans are not even the minority shareholders of FC Zenit. But the legal side of the case here does not work in favor of Gazprom, which is even cute in its own way.

That is, Gazprom, as the subsection of the Russian government, was in a rather interesting situation. Just even in experimental: here, folk anger, what to do? And after all, they are also teaching how to do things, as if “Zenith” at least contains taxpayers with St. Petersburg registration. What adds the topic of nuances. Well, in fact, that more constructive and concrete in the category of civil activity took place over all these 12 years?

But still, the most important thing in this story is the awareness of citizens that identity is unconditional value. It is important for them, because they are themselves. Well, values, of course, are protected in different ways and this always has such or consumer consequences, depends on the nature of the identity.