A sanctioned riot on Ash Wednesday? For most Western Christians, today is the day that kicks off a season of penance and atonement, reflecting Christ’s 40 days in the desert. The kick-off in Ashbourne, England, is quite different, though. It’s the second day (starting yesterday, Fat Tuesday–Shrove Tuesday to them) of a free-for-all soccer game that looks more like two mobs of rioters going at each other.
This Royal Shrovetide Football Match, also called “hugball,” is a tradition dating back to 1667 and involves hundreds of people and very few rules. Read more about it at “This Soccer Match May Just Be the Craziest Ash Wednesday Tradition Ever.”
Not my cup of tea, I’m afraid.