But joy, if lacking moderation and awareness, easily slips away from the boundaries of civilization.
Reality shows that celebrations after victory do not always end in laughter. The incident that occurred at Kim Lien tunnel (Hanoi) after the match between U23 Vietnam and U23 Korea, when a couple was assaulted in a crowd celebrating, is a thought-provoking evidence. Bach Mai Ward Police (Hanoi) said that the unit has arrested 5 suspects in the clash at Kim Lien tunnel. The subjects are being investigated for the act of intentionally causing injury. The Ward Police are consolidating records and classifying acts for handling according to regulations.
From just a small act of harassment and scuffle, the joy of victory has turned into violence, leaving legal consequences and hurt for many people.
That is not an isolated story. Every big football season, society witnesses offensive images: speeding, reckless overtaking, swerving, revving the engine causing noise, jostling, pushing, even fighting in the crowd. There are people who do not "storm" with sportsmanship, but with alcohol, with excitement and the psychology of "the crowd protecting".
The joy at that time is no longer harmless. It is necessary to clearly state: Celebrating victory is the legitimate right of fans. But that right must go hand in hand with social responsibility.
Civilization in celebration is first of all respect for others. Not everyone wants to blend into the noisy crowd at midnight. Not everyone has enough health and safety to face fast-moving convoys, loud screams lasting for hours. A true joy cannot be built on the insecurity of the community.
Civilization in celebration is also compliance with the law. Traffic law does not "take leave" on the night of victory. The acts of swerving, not wearing helmets, carrying too many people, running red lights... are not ignored because of football emotions. Every accident that occurs after a victory is a painful wound, overshadowing the team's achievements.
We are proud of a beautiful, fair-play, and dedicated team. So fans also need to show a corresponding spirit. No one wants U23 Vietnam's victory to be mentioned with phrases like "violent", "chaotic", "disorderly".
The joy of sports is only truly complete when it spreads positive values: solidarity, civilization, mutual respect. Celebrating civilization is not a general slogan. Those are very specific actions: Slow down, stop at the right red light, do not drink alcohol when participating in traffic, do not shout excessively, do not infringe on the privacy and body of others, be ready to remind friends when they show signs of being excessive.
Along with that, functional forces need to continue to play a good role in regulating, reminding and strictly handling violations, to create a necessary "disciplinary fence" for crowded celebration nights. Strictness is not to extinguish joy, but to protect that joy from being deformed.
Because in the end, victory on the football field only lasts 90 minutes, while community behavior leaves a much longer mark. And that is the most sustainable "medailleur" for Vietnamese football.
