MANCHESTER, England – A Catholic theologian from Scotland told Scottish soccer fans they might be committing a sin if they do not support their historical and soccer archrival England in the World Cup.
Scotland's national team did not qualify for the World Cup, and Father William McFadden told soccer fans north of the English border that they need to examine their consciences before deciding where their allegiance lies for the June 9-July 9 games in Germany.
Father McFadden, who also serves as rector of Scotland's national seminary, Scotus College in Glasgow, said the determining factor was motivation.
"If a Scot has an automatic negative reaction to supporting England, then they would have to question where that feeling is coming from," he said. "As Christians we are called to have positive relationships with others who may be different from us. If we have an automatic anti-relationship with someone simply because they are English, then that is anti-Christian.
"On the other hand, if your motivation comes from the enjoyment of football (soccer) and you choose to support a different team for that reason, then there is no sin in not supporting England. The key question is what is our motivation," he said.
Scotus College has two English students in residence, although England's national flag, a St. George's flag, has not yet been unfurled on the premises, Father McFadden said.
"As a community we pray together, work together, study together and will watch the World Cup together," he said, noting that there was "nothing wrong with healthy competition."
"Our college football team recently played against the English seminary, Ushaw College, Durham, and we beat them soundly in a most enjoyable game," he said.
Britain's senior finance minister, Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown, a Scot, has already said he will back England this summer and has urged his fellow countrymen to follow suit.
"Two-thirds of all Scots want England to win, and I am one of them," he said.
But Scottish First Minister Jack McConnell, head of the Scottish Parliament, has admitted he will be rooting for Trinidad and Tobago.
"There are people who think that as first minister I should automatically support England instead. But football is not about politics, so I will not," he said. "I will be supporting other teams in the various games that I manage to watch."
In World Cup Group B competition, England faces Paraguay June 10, Trinidad June 15 and Sweden June 20.
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