The world might regard Bin Laden as a terrorist , a mass casuality attacker against civilian and military targets, but that did not stop him from peeking his eyes through the world of football. Let’s take a personal interest in Bin Laden’s support for Arsenal.
“Osama,whoa oa oa.Osama,woa oa oa He supports Arsenal. He’s hiding near Kabul” – a bizarre chant sung by Arsenal supporters,after reports claimed the Al Qaeda leader was a Gunner fan.
Trending
It was in the early days of 1994 in the stadium of Parken during the Graham days when Arsenal qualified for the finals of European Cup Winners Cup and the 30000 spectators there witnessed a “thick bearded Islamic fundamentalist attending his first competitive football match” against Parma. According to biographer Adam Robinson, Bin Laden dwelled in London for 3 months in the middle of 1990′s to watch his team Arsenal play at Highbury, as well as to impress financiers for terrorist operations. Osama was moved by the passion and excitement shown by fans on the gallery. Arsenal played at their best during those days winning titles and love for the club.
Famous Football writer Simon Kuper recorded in the New York Times in 2002 that Osama visited the famous soccer club Arsenal four times. Sources also claim that he bought gifts and give-aways for his son from the Arsenal souvenier shop before returning to Sudan. Another well known biographer named Yossef Bodansky reported of him buying an apartment in the Wembley area in the heart of London. Bin Laden, who was educated in Saudi Arabia, was found by his teachers to be a tall, quiet, well mannered student who loved football and played as a centre forward.
Khaled Batarfi, Osama’s neighbour and childhood friend recalled, “In Summer, early morning,after mosque, we would come together and play football. We would argue ‘That was a goal, that was a foul’, but he wouldnt argue,he would just play for the pleasure. He refused to get into any argument with any of us.”
He might have indulged himself in the art of war, but his passion for soccer will be looked upon by the world as the sign of an ordinary man gone wrong.
