"Van Basten, deemed foolishly angry," vocalizes his criticism toward the pre-Champions League final event
In Munich's Allianz Arena, Marco van Basten Lashes Out at Linkin Park's Pre-Champions League Final Performance
Two musical acts took the stage before the highly-anticipated Champions League final, with American rock band Linkin Park and German violinist David Garrett providing the audience with entertainment. However, former Dutch football star Marco van Basten harshly criticized Linkin Park's performance, deeming it "idiotic" and "worthless."
"It's a disgrace" that UEFA allowed such a performance, van Basten asserted on Dutch television network Ziggo Sport. He shared his belief that the performance would distract the players, who had to cut their warm-up short and return to the dressing room half an hour before kick-off due to the show.
Meanwhile, the audience's response to Linkin Park's performance was largely indifferent, with some applauding at the end. David Garrett then entertained the crowd with a violin rendition of the White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army", a song popular among football fans.
Linkin Park is currently embarking on a comeback tour, previously taking a hiatus following the death of their lead singer Chester Bennington in 2017. Now fronted by Emily Armstrong, the band will play five stadium concerts in Germany this summer.
Van Basten's criticism is not an isolated incident, as many fans have expressed frustration with entertainment acts at major sports events without a direct connection to the teams. The German Football Association, in response, has opted to avoid such acts during the cup final in recent years.
Marco van Basten's critique has sparked a wider debate about the role of entertainment at major sports events. Opinions remain divided on whether such pre-match shows enhance or detract from the overall experience, with some supporters siding with Van Basten's concerns about distractions for the players. Despite the criticisms, Paris Saint-Germain ultimately secured their first Champions League title with a 5-0 victory over Inter Milan.
Sources: ntv.de, tno/dpa
MunichChampions LeagueInter Milan
"Marco van Basten, expressing his concerns, advocated for stricter adherence to the community policy at major sports events, stating that entertainment acts without a direct connection to the teams could potentially create distractions for the players during important matches such as the Champions League."
"In light of van Basten's criticism, the employment policy for sports events could be reevaluated, with a focus on ensuring that performances align with the interests and passions of the majority of the audience, such as football and European leagues."
