A survey of British households by divorce company divorce-online has found that 10% of people have ended a relationship because of rows about football and 11% of people expect their relationship to become more strained during the World Cup ( this equates to 5.5 million people)
The bad news for women specifically, is that “14% of men agree that football will more important than their partner” during the World Cup and almost a quarter of men believe that TV viewing will revolve around the tournament.
Arsenal fans are the worst! Arsenal fans are the most likely to have relationship problems because of the World Cup. They are the most likely to have arguments because of neglect due to the football and they are the most likely supporters to have a strained relationship during the World Cup. Arsenal fans also agreed that the football is more important than their partner during the World Cup although it is the Newcastle supporter who is most keen to move out during the tournament.
The supporters of other team don’t get away completely free, however, 17% of Manchester United fans have split from a partner because of a football argument and Chelsea fans will be spending the least amount of time with their partner (of the English teams).
The survey was carried out by Opinion Matters on behalf of Divorce-Online.Co.Uk during April 2010 -sample 1701 UK adults.