There is no doubt players are looked up to by kids and their actions are often copied in the playground etc. But as professionals should it be part of their jobs to act in a manner that is perceived as good role model behaviour, particularly on the field of play. With all the unsavoury incidents, diving, foul language should players be punished for not behaving in a sporting manner which will undoubtedly be copied by others who look up to them? Or do you see it as their job is just to win matches in any way they can even if that involves unsporting and underhand behaviour? My personal opinion is that they are in the public eye, are paid a lot of money and know they are idolised by many. Therefore they should act in a much more sporting manner and the authorities should punish those who do not. For the minute we will leave it to on the pitch behaviour, off the field of play is a whole other argument.
Parents have the responsibility for the actions of their children of course. And while players appeared to behave themselves off the pitch years ago, there wasn't the same fascination to know what they were doing off the pitch by the media so there wasn't the exposure. Ask any older supporter and they will remember who was poking whose wife back in the 60's and 70's. And I remember a lot of them caught red handed in the pub the Friday night before a game. Players dive nowadays but I don't think a contact sport like football has ever had the ability to be a role model in itself. Duncan Forbes kicking opposition players didn't persuade me to kick other players. It was an instinctive reaction to foul. The one that I find the most intriguing is that players can eff and blind at officals but at junior level it will lead to a booking. I dare say some youngsters might find it appealing to challenge authority but that comes with puberty anyway. I don't think they are role models and I don't think their behaviour should be used as an excuse for others to copy. I don't for instance think that the amount of money they earn should be a reason for them to behave. Their conscience should govern that. But as someone who got into a fair number of scrapes, never vandalism I should add, I never did it because Jimmy Bone was acting like a prat in a night club.
In an ideal world Tipsy you are right and such 'stars' should be role models. Sadly we have kids of roughly 19 - 25 which is a testosterone fuelled time (I think I remember it) and they are having huge sums of money thrown at them (as well as other things) and we have ended up with the complete opposite of a role model. Money has changed everything and of course the media pressure has not helped either. Football is in a bit of a mess really IMO. A mate of mine who supports Leicester had a birthday package bought for him for last friday's match v Middlesbrough - box/meal the works. He couldn't get there because of the weather (the crowd was 8,500 compared to the usual 25,000) and Leicester are currently refusing to refund or transfer - utter disgrace!!
tipsy, yes yes and yes. they are in the spot light and kids look up to them. they should behave accordingly. most do but a lot don't. but will do anything about it?!
Sadly I have to agree football is in a mess and money has a big part to play. Now more about the money than the sport in my opinion. There is of course the rule of bringing the game into disrepute. Maybe this should be used much more often to cut out negative aspects of the game such as diving, swearing at official etc. I'm sure if clubs/players thought bans may be coming their way much of the behaviour would cease. Dream world really
Not for me. If your child is looking up to a footballer then something has gone wrong somewhere along the way. But thats just it, isnt it. Something has gone very wrong along the way. Kids nowdays look to footballers, half dressed popstars and the cast of towie for assistance with their moral compass. That parents and society in general seem to support this, is bizarre.
I know what you are saying but my op was more aimed at players behaviour on the pitch. Children will and always have copied goals they have seen, celebrations etc but now in addition to that they dive, swear etc.
It'd be a start if they acted like decent human beings, rather than petulant prima donnas, that way we wouldn't need this discussion
No not really they are there for entertainment because it's a spectator sport. People put too much stress on people in the public eye at the end of the day they are human like us and we all have our faults, off the field they are just trying to live their lives, what they do is their business providing they don't cross a certain line in my opinion. I wouldn't want kids to look up at people who are sportspersons/musicians/filmstars etc kids should be encouraged to be individuals instead of constantly striving to be someone else if they are to look up at anyone then it should be regular people who just do their jobs, get on with it and live happy healthy lives, not people who are in the limelight. Unfortunately in this era you can't escape it just look at news it's utter garbage do we really give a toss what Kim Kardasian is doing? No! if I saw in the news that one of players was snorting a massive bag of cocaine and nailing escorts every night I wouldn't frankly care so long as they do well on the pitch. and don't hurt anyone else with their behaviour.
It used to be, become a footballer if you love the sport and play it professionally, now it's become a football for the money, cars and the girls. Completely the wrong attitude.
