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A strange incident recently took place in Norway that quickly went viral. After a poor performance in a match, a footballer didn’t receive the usual certificate or even a handshake — instead, he was given… two cartons of chicken eggs. Yes, 20 eggs. As a “prize” for losing.
At first, it might sound like a joke, but it really happened. A player from a fourth-division team clearly didn’t have his best game, and someone — whether a fan or a club representative (that part is still unclear) — handed him two cartons of eggs right after the match. Like, “Here you go, for the effort.” The story instantly spread across social media. Some laughed, others felt sympathy, and some seriously wondered: is this ethical?
This Has Happened Before
Such “awards” for poor performance are nothing new in the world of sports. In English football, for instance, there’s a tradition of the “Golden Cabbage” or the “Wooden Spoon.” These are symbolic prizes given to the worst players or teams of the season — usually in a humorous spirit.
In Argentina and Brazil, fans sometimes throw symbolic items like little coffins, roosters, or even toilet paper at teams to show their dissatisfaction. In 2016, after the Chinese national team lost a match, someone sent boxes of bricks to their training base. The message? “Rebuild your career from scratch.”
Sometimes fans do it to troll. Sometimes it’s genuine frustration. And every time, it sparks debates: where’s the line between humor and humiliation?
Is It Ethical or Not?
On one hand, you could say: football is a show, and athletes are public figures. Got eggs for a bad game — so what? It’s not violence, it’s not direct insult — just a sarcastic form of criticism.
But on the other hand — athletes are still human beings. They train hard, they care, they try. Even if the match didn’t go well, giving someone a “prize” like eggs or anything degrading can be really hurtful. Especially when it’s done in public, in front of others. Imagine doing poorly at work and your colleague hands you a box of rotten tomatoes. Nice? Probably not.
Such actions can also lead to increased pressure, stress, and even burnout. Especially for young players just starting their careers. It’s one thing to hear a coach’s critique or a post-match analysis — and quite another to be publicly shamed.
Where’s the Line Between Humor and Harm?
Of course, without humor, football (and sports in general) would be dull. Fans will always express emotions in different ways. But it’s probably worth remembering: humor should be appropriate. It’s one thing to joke online, and quite another to humiliate someone in person — especially when they’re already upset about a loss.
In the case of the Norwegian footballer, the situation could’ve been handled without the eggs. A few words of support, or, if necessary, some fair criticism — would’ve made more sense than using food as a prop. Besides, these kinds of “gifts” can set a bad example for others. What’s next — sour milk or spoiled fish?
Conclusion
Football is about emotion, passion, wins, and losses. But we shouldn’t forget about respect. Even toward those who had a bad game. Especially if they’re young players or amateurs — not millionaire superstars. It’s okay to joke, just not in a way that degrades.
And the eggs? Well. Maybe they’d have been better off scrambled and shared with the team — as a reminder that tomorrow brings another chance to play better. Because the most important thing in sports is never giving up.