Soccer: ‘Unlucky' dressing room gets Feng Shui treatment
A feng shui expert took a tour of a sport’s stadium’s unlucky changing room today in a bid to chase away its inexplicable jinx.
Millennium Stadium chiefs in Cardiff turned to the ancient Chinese art of geomancy after eight soccer teams, which used the dressing room at the south end of the ground, all lost matches.
Now the unlucky dressing room has been given the feng shui treatment ahead of the LDV Vans Trophy final between Blackpool and Cambridge on Sunday.
Expert Paul Darby, from Nottingham, carried out the ancient ceremony at lunchtime today.
During a brief traditional ritual he scattered incense and sea salt around the redecorated room, rang bells, lit candles and made Buddhist chants.
Teams which have previously lost when based in the south dressing room include Arsenal, Birmingham City and Tottenham Hotspur.
Stadium manager Bob Evans said: ‘‘The Millennium Stadium offers a level playing field, in all senses of the phrase, to every team that plays here.
‘‘In reality there is no physical difference between the two dressing rooms and it is only a matter of time before this statistical anomaly is broken.
‘‘But, this is the greatest stadium in the world and we are prepared to go to any lengths to ensure all teams enjoy their Millennium Stadium experience.’’
The Football League has also backed the initiative with communications manager John Nagle saying: ‘‘Superstition has always been a part of football.
‘‘Managers often talk about winning the psychological battle before they take to the pitch and the Millennium Stadium is sensitive to this issue.’’
