On many occasions we have seen many on and off the pitch brawls between home and away teams over a referee decision or foul of some nature. Looking at this sport which begin in this country and has took off like wild fire worldwide.. our current image for the game at times does look disappointing. Of course most does come down to Referee / Linesman Decision Making (or lack of in some instances) but does that mean we should condone that bully boy antic from professional footballers who are idolised by fans of all ages. We all know Rivalry Games such as top 4 Premiership Teams / Scotland's Old Firm Derby / All other well known Derby Games can flare up from time to time with the added pressure of winning 3 Points to climb the league table or progress through the next round of the Cup but does that mean we know have to sit back and accept this part of the beautiful game? Is the English FA doing enough to stamp it out? We see too much of it now more than ever and you can guarantee it will happen in at least one game over a weekend of Football in England which is sad. My question to you : Who is to blame really? - the individual - should he take responsibility for his actions and be disciplined - the Club - is it fair they have to suffer with a Fine for their players actions? Prime example: AC Millan star midfielder Gattuso who I have alot of respect for but after head-butting Assistant Manager Joe Jordan. In my opinion be given a long ban by UEFA. If you or I went and head-butt someone in the street, then we would be arrested and charged for ABH / GBH (one of the two I don't know?? )but in today football its seems to be dealt with but not actioned to stamp out. please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Brings me nicely to the next part of the dirty side of the English Game.... Surrounding , Crowding of Officials (call it what you like) and showing lack respect to Officials.- Thoughts of it - Is it right? Why is it in other sports such as Rugby (a real man sport) for example, this very rarely exist - a decision is made by a official and then the team who committed to foul then has to accept the consequences and get on with it and move on please log in to view this image We have all at some point heard of Respect F.C - English FA Campaign to get their message across but will Player , Teams , Managers actually listen? please log in to view this image please log in to view this image (Holland's Manager Bert Marwijk speaks to the referee, Howard Webb) please log in to view this image (When Fulham beat Man United 2-0 March 2009) Be interesting to find out what fans have got to say on this subject.
I reckon the individual concerned should be held solely responsibility for their own actions. And they should know they'll face the consequences when they're found out. No matter who they are and who they play for. There seems to be a lot of times a player from a Top 4 team has done something but has gotten away with it but you know if that was a lower placed team, they'd have thrown the book at them. Punishments for things need to be harshly dealt with by a non-biased FA or Premier League. If I was to headbutt somone at work, I'd expect to be suspended for even sacked. I think because these footballers get paid hundreds of thousands and they're seen as so much important than anything else, they can almost get away with anything. Having said that, the club have to claim part of the responsibility, they are supposed to train and teach the players how to play football. This should include respect (for themselves and others involved in the game) and self-restraint. I'm reading Chris Kamara's book and he talks a lot about the racism that used to exist (still does in some parts) in the 70's and it defies belief that people could treat others with such little respect and empathy. I think that although most of that has been stamped out, players and fans still have a lack of respect for others that I find astounding. Yes, refs get decisions wrong, players make mistakes when going in for 50/50 tackles but this is part of being human. I'm running the risk of sounding a bit holier than thou but we all have to become more mindful of our own actions and reactions to things. I just don't see the point in arguing with a referee about something (especially after the game - what's he going to do, change his mind and change the scoreline?) - even if you're think you're right, the ref won't change his mind because he believe he's right. He's not going to give a free kick for something he thinks shouldn't be a free kick. He's not going to change his mind because he knows players will see him as weak and will be on his back twice as much next time something doesn't go their way. Also, despite what people think, referees don't award things to one team because they're under the cosh or he's awarded a dodgy free-kick/penalty so has to award the other team to 'even it up'.
unfortunately it seems to be an accepted part of football life, with some fans thinking it demonstrates the passion of the game. personally I think it is thuggery, and should be stamped out. Unfortunately it is rife through the whole of football from under 8s to the national team. Young kids see their heroes arguing, swearing and fighting, and nothing gets done. In fact the perpertrators seem to be rewarded with new contracts and more endorsements. Commentators seem to condone the acts, witness the sympathy for Gray and Keys over the female assistant debacle. parents dont help at local level either with a "win at all cost" mentality. Until the FA takes a real stand, and starts handing out 6 mth and 12 month bans for this behaviour, and clubs start refusing to pay during such bans, and clubs refuse to buy these players, then I fear we are in a downward spiral towards "Rollerball". Unfortunately there is too much at stake moneywise for a moral stand to be taken by anyone. Sorry if I sound like a miserably old git, but I am 53 this yr, it does make me angry, and I've been called much worse than a git!
Unfortunately money talks. The pressures on players to perform is tremendous. However they are payed huge sums of money to do just that. Referee's these days seem to be frightened of their own shadow because if they get it wrong they are slated. They are not well supported by their assistants as they too seem to wait for the Referee to make a decision before confirming it. (Right or wrong) Another words agreeing just for equaliberalism so as not to have a different opinion to the referee. I am sure some decisions can be aided by electronic aids. They have Radio's and mikes if something has gone past and the fourth official see's it. The referee has the power to take it back or still let the game go on. I totally agree head butting or hitting an official should have a very hefty fine (perhaps a years wages) and an automatic 6 month ban to be served during the football season. Doing the same to a player or club official in my view is no different. On top of that There should be criminal proceedings to follow. It really is time to take a hard line. Will they....I doubt it?
Although not a massive egg chaser fan, I believe that the way the referees handle games of rugby influences the respect shown by the players on the pitch. Any nonsense or swearing, and you're penalised. Simple as. I remember watching a game a few years back where a player had sworn at the referee over a penalty - the referee promptly penalised the team by moving the penalty forward 10 yards. Teammates are p*ssed off with player, player feels stupid and doesn't do it again - problem solved. The game actually becomes self policing. Also, I believe the captain on the pitch should definately take more responsibility - what happened to only the captain being able approach the referee? Although in the case of Gattuso, maybe not such a good idea!
I have to disagree about the rugby referees influencing the players. I don't want to get into a discussion about the standards of schooling in this country but I went to a school whos main sport was rugby (no football at all) and we were taught respect for the referee at age 11. That is where it starts with rugby and football needs to follow suit. However, agreeing with other points on here, I cannot ever see Rooney not throwing up his arms, swearing or stamping his feet when a decision goes against him! Money dictates he will always play football no matter how rude/aggresive/abusive he is. The game needs to change at school IMO.
Ok, agreed, maybe rugby players are taught at an early age to respect the ref, maybe influence was the wrong word to use. However I still stand by my statement that football can become self policing IF you penalise a team for one players lack of respect. I've got an idea - maybe Rooney et all should be made to sit on a 'naughty stool' on the side of the pitch for 10 minutes to calm down (yes, I have a 2 year old!) - that would soon stop him doing it!
Yeah I would sit on a naughty stool too for ã180000 a week..... Trouble is if you did that, in a lot of so called fans eyes, that would only enhance the players street Credibility!!!! So no I don't think that will work. To be fair a lot of the swearing is heat of the moment stuff. However if the player persists then yes he should be sent off. It should then be an automatic 2 match ban. Referee's and their helpers are not there to be abused by the players. Physical contact should be punished very heavily. 6 months ban minimum 6 month wages, then a civilian court case for actual Bodily harm. All sentences to be carried out in the football season. So potentially they could be out of the game for up to a year.....especially if they got 6 months inside!!!! (for head butting etc)
Football behaviour is a mirror image of our society. Unfortunately the last decade or so has seen morals suffer badly and money seems to be the only thing that we are rated by. For the ordinary man in the street the wages paid to some of the prima donnas is ludicrous. It seems that players are now rated for their earning power more than ever. So that makes Rooney a far better player than say youngster Jack Wilshire or even Cesc Fabregas. Money breeds contempt and I am afraid that many players now have little but contempt for referees, players of smaller teams or even us fans. Players like Rooney will flash the badge when they score but see them in the street and they will tell you to 'go forth and multiply'. They can't handle the fact that they may sometimes lose and react like spoilt little brats. Gattuso did that and maybe with hindsight he wishes he hadn't. One thing I will add, the tackle earlier where he could and should have received a red might have stopped the whole after match fiasco.
Yh I must admit I was expecting longer - but then I woke up from my sleep and realise it was UEFA discipline and not the courts! lol
Trouble was the picture showing Joe Jordan mouth wide open and I bet he wasn't suggesting a cuddle. That photo could well have shortened the punishment.
Great post & have to say agree with you. Must be miserable being a ref but the power they have on the game is such a responsibility. Look at our Peterborough game & how the ref was that day. Lots of big calls especially the final pen he gave, big decision to make & can effect promotion hopes. There is no excuse for violence though as some players show & I agree more electronic aids like rugby use I am sure would be welcomed by the managers, players, refs & fans.
You are so right I think in the modern game the referee needs more help to call on. It seems that every one in the main agrees with that, including the football powers that be. The stumbling block seems to be how and where that help comes from. I have said before I am all in favour of the Champions league football way of doing things. The base line assistants. The only thing that I would add would be to give them more power and actually allow them to referee the last 30 yards or so. The ref can then be the assistant.
