When Football Takes A Back Seat

Over the past few weeks, there has been a spate of incidences that have caused fans of the game to reflect on life outside of football. From the tragic death of Sevilla's Antonio Puerta to the heart attack suffered by Sunderland's Clive Clarke, the trials of life have been transcending the drama on the pitch.

This unfortunate trend continued today with the death of Ian Porterfield, former Sunderland footballing legend and the manager of the Armenian national team. Porterfield is best know as the player who fired home the winning goal to lift Sunderland to victory over heavily favored Leeds United in 1973.

What makes this event even more difficult for Armenian fans is it comes amid a pair of cancelled games with neighbouring Azerbiajan that were to be played September 8 and 12. The two countries share a border, but political differences made arranging the matches impossible. No points will be awarded to either team for the cancelled matches.

The most disappointing thing about the timing of the cancelled match tomorrow, to be played in Armenia, is that the Armenia FA and fans will have to wait to pay tribute to their manager. Hopefully UEFA will ask other associations to mark the passing and will support any tribute Armenia might plan for Porterfield in the future. Their next home fixture is October 13 versus Serbia in Yerevan.