I agree entirely with your sentiment but find it much more difficult in practice to avoid the subject. A few Christmases ago I disagreed with some very dear friends on religion. It started with a silly difference of opinion over a Tesco or Sainsbury's advert but soon became very heated. Fortunately my wife brought in some tea and Christmas cake and dragged us apart. Since then I have avoided the subject like the (biblical?!) plague, but it is difficult because faith is such a central part of her life and she wants to talk about it. With football it's much more difficult because for many it really has taken the place of faith and is central to so many lives. I'm fortunate that our friends love the game more than their team, which is, unfortunately, United for many of them. They all admit freely that City are much the better team and it's what goes on on the pitch which is important. But they all seem to accept without question that City are guilty of 115 (unspecified) charges and I can't sit there and take it. I reply mildly that City are my team, our owners are an example to the rest of football, unlike some others, I trust them absolutely and I know they have not violated any rules, however unfair those rules are. Friends think I'm naive but nod and say OK and change the subject - but it only takes one who gout out of bed on the wrong side or had a row with his wife and the powder keg goes up. And after Saturday and the last 15 years NOBODY accuses my club of cheating.