Barcelona or Real Madrid

[Drago]

Barcelona by a long way. They represent what is good about football, whilst Real represent the bad.

Barca wear UNICEF as sponsor at no cost, Real have a multi-million dollar deal with betting company BWIN. Barca have created probably the best youth system in the world, producing many of their own superstars, Real, especially in recent years buy up the best talent available without trying to formulate into a team. Barca work within a budget generated by their fans, whilst Real spend money they don't have & rely on the Spanish Govt to bail them out. Oh & Real are the team of Franco nuff said.

On a more personal level, like Drago I found the people & fans of Barca far better. About 18 months ago I went to El Clasico in Madrid choosing to wear a Real Madrid top as I was sitting in their end although I secretly rooted for Barca (not that it did any good they lost 4-1). Whilst the match was a great experience, the Real fans were not. On the way to the ground, roughly 30-40 Real fans decided to aim monkey chants at me on the train (I'm mixed-race & light-skinned so I'd hate to think what it would be like for a dark skinned person). Then a load of them referred to me as 'Lewis Amilton', clearly the only other mixed-race person they'd seen. Wearing a Cannavaro shirt - I was told that either me, him or both were 'negro de mierda' which I think people can guess at a translation.

I went to Barcelona about 3 months later & was a bit apprehensive that my girlfriend & me would get the same, but instead was treated brilliantly by every single person I met & had a great time. It's probably my favourite city that I've ever been to, & when I'm older I wouldn't mind living out there.

So yes Barcelona is better as a team & a place in my opinion.

that terrible mate, didnt even think people acted like that now adays, i heard the italians fans were racists but not spanish! glad u had a barca fan, even when man united got beat by barca i could handle it cos they my 2nd team

Do you remember the England friendly a few years ago where it got abandoned because of the Spanish racism?

I've been to games in Italy & apart from a couple of teams (Roma, Lazio & Inter particularly) racism isn't too bad a problem, not on the level I saw in Madrid. To be honest, I've heard a lot of racism over here as well (especially as I support West Ham), but nothing on the level that I saw in Spain, not only at me but at the players & there were some truly shocking banners (worst being a drawing of Eto'o burning on a crucifix). But, then Barca was great so its possibly like in Milan, where the Inter fans are largely racist thugs, whilst the Milan fans are equal opportunity thugs

fkin crazy aint it, its bloody 2009 for fks sake i have been to many football games in england & watched many football teams & very rarely heard racist chants so thats a good thing i suppose