To think my partner is out of order?

[Rowood]

My two sons and my partners son are watching the match (yawn) with my partner. I am in and out of the room sorting out our baby/hiding from the football.
My children support Ireland because their father is Irish. My son said jokingly as I walked into the room "if Ukraine score I am going to cheer" my partner said "if you cheer you are going to bed".

Now, I'm not sure if it's just me but I think that's really unreasonable- he would never dream of and has never sent any of the kids to bed for any reason before. I looked at him as if to say "what?" he then said "well that's fair enough isn't it?" I never want to not back him up but surely if I don't think he is right I have a right to say so? I said in a quiet voice "Erm not really, it's hardly the crime of the century" and then u spoke to the kids about backing other family members teams if supporting someone who is playing (god I Fkin hate football!) he then went on a rant saying "thanks for backing me up!"
Arghhhhhhhhhh! Kids! Football! Men!

As the Ukraine didn't score and so your son didn't cheer it is all a non issue as we will never know if he would have followed through and actually send him to bed.

How old is your son because it is a bit of a stupid thing to say as Ireland were in a different group to England

Yes, I think those of us that support the ROI know that. But if we're discussing stupid things to say then the idea that we should cheer on England because Ireland have been eliminated is an absolute corker.

Your dp sounds unreasonable, OP. If he can't take the football banter then he really ought not to be watching it in company.

No one is saying, he should support England, I think cantspel was pointing out that there was nothing riding on this game for the Irish, so there was no need to be goading those following England, enjoy the match and if you can't do that without winding up others, don't watch it.

He wouldnt have got sent to bed and he wouldn't have cheered HE was JOKInG!

Sorry but that's ridiculous. Whether there's anything in it for Ireland or not, your DS probably just didn't want England to score as they'd be the bigger threat later on. If the weaker team win, Ireland would be in a better position in the future. Or it's a bit of harmless, competitive banter. Unless there's a history of your DS provoking and disrespecting your DH, I disagree that it sounds like antagonistic behaviour. It's the kind of thing that is probably said in homes everywhere - it's a competition for fridge's sake. Banter goes hand in hand with that. Reminds me why I'm rapidly losing respect for all things football.

The irony of this is that my son gets it loads from partner and his son as he supports Chelsea and sons partner supports Man U. Partner supports another team lower in the table thingy but he gives it all the time to My son who takes it in a dignified way and will sometimes agree that "yeah Torres (his fave player) was rubbish on that match. My son ne'er gives it back about his team and has even been to watch his team play and loved it.
My partner has just ha a good sum of money land on his lap out of te blue and he wants to take his son to Old Trafford- he has offered mine to go too but there is no sign if him asking to take him to Stanford Bridge.
If anything in proud of my son for te way he takes it!

This whole issue is pathetic. Can't your 9 year old make a bit of a joke with your partner? The comment was not worth any kind of sanction at all it should have been taken in a lighthearted way. Especially if your partner is happy dishing it out. Sorry OP but I wouldn't want my kids to 'get it loads' from anyone.

YANBU, sounds like your little boy was looking in at your stepson and his dad watching the football together and wishing wholeheartedly he was watching it with his own. His comment was a very clear "my loyalties are very much with my dad", how have the kids coped in general with the blended family? Your son's comment and DH's son's smirking at the subsequent trouble it caused would suggest to me that they're both having some insecurities, one is trying to prove he doesn't really care about having to watch your DH having father son time with his boy, and the other is trying to show he's still his dad's number one.

It's really not about the football in my eyes, the boys are jostling for position and your DH is possibly unwittingly making the situation worse. It concerns me a bit that he's reacted so childishly when what really was called for was ignoring the comment and recognising that it stems from entirely natural behaviour when divided loyalties in children are present. Maybe he could make an effort to be more inclusive with his father son time? Try not to see your stepson's reaction as spite for spites sake, he's probably feeling the same as your son but in reverse.

What is it with men and football? Op, your dc have my sympathy as another person who is Irish descent. However, I will happilly support England too. After all I was born here.
My dh, did however annoy me when Ireland played their 1st game. His response was Ireland aren't doing very well and than gave a little laugh.
Yes, thanks for rubbing it in!

Miss pants. You have summed up exactly what I have been thinkin today really. I would never take it out on my stepson, he is a lovely boy and I can see exactly why he was smirking for the reasons you have suggested.
We have been together for four years nearly and it's been a struggle to make sure that the children are a happy with the situ as possible- ordinarily my son gets on really very well with my partner and they have great indepth convos about football in general- my son lives and breathes it md because he is exceptionally bright he can have grown up conversations as he understands the football system- I think my stepson resets this as sometimes he will enter into the conversation and his dad will disagree with him and he will say "yeah thats what i meant" he just wants to be involved I think. Thanks for your advice