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UK Wedding News

18/02/2014

Football Fans Put Sport Before Their Wife

One in two football fans put their love of the sport before their wife, a new survey has revealed.

The true extent to which a passion for the game impacts upon wedded bliss was unveiled in the study of 1,000 football fans – and 1,000 suffering wives.

Commissioned by bookmakers Coral, when asked to choose the biggest source of joy in their life, one in seven men opted for football over their wife, while one in six admitted they "couldn't choose either way".

A further one in 10 even went as far as to claim that their love of the beautiful game outweighs the love they have for their wife.

From telling lies to be able to watch games, to rushing through meals and family events to get back for Match of the Day, the study heard how 51% of wives declare themselves "football widows" as they lose their husband completely to the sport at times.

In addition, almost two-thirds of football fans will "drop everything" when a match is on to be able to watch it.

Elsewhere, 55% of men will constantly check their phone or rush to nearby screens to keep in the loop when faced with the horrendous task of being out and about with the wife during a match, while a sneaky third have admitted to treating their wife to a nice meal – but made sure the place they were eating at was showing the football before they booked. For 45% of husbands, they scoffed down their food and sped up a meal in order to get home and catch the game or evening highlights. A further one in four men said they had passed up sex in order to watch football.

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The game can also have an effect on the moods of more sensitive supporters, with entire weekends being ruined for two-thirds of fans when their beloved team loses a match.

The obsession with the sport can take its toll however, as a fifth of men polled have lied to their partner's face in order to be able to watch a game, while 43% regularly "sweeten up" their partner in order to get football time.

With this in mind, it is probably not surprising to discover that more than a quarter have had their wives claim they love the sport more than them; while a fifth of wives claim their husband would probably divorce them if they tried to place a ban on watching football.

A spokesman for Coral said: "For many fans, supporting their team is a lifelong commitment and something they've done as long as they can remember.

"The devotion to the game is something that rarely dwindles and the results of the study show even a commitment like marriage isn't likely to stop that passion.

"Of course it's important to always love and respect a partner, but as the results show, don't expect too much from a football fan during that crucial 90 minutes each week, especially if they are one of the many who enjoy a regular footie flutter.

"It's clear that many a football fan will go to extreme lengths to get behind their team and that unwavering support may not always please their partners.

"Understanding, embracing or if necessary simply just tolerating a partner's passions is part of any great relationship.

"From unrivalled highs to despairing lows, it might be said that the experiences of the football fan can echo those in many a marriage."

(JP/IT)

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"One in two football fans put their love of the sport before their wife, a new survey has revealed."