The game of soccer, football has been often linked to the subscript a game for gentlefolk (originally gentlemen) played by thugs.
The world governing bodies rules give total autocracy to referees and some of the rules governing player conduct enable a Ref to punish players for improper conduct.
The rules are not enforced, supposedly due to commercial pressure by the professional clubs.
The pertaining rules being
Quote:
A player is cautioned and shown the yellow card if he commits any of the following seven offences:
1. is guilty of unsporting behaviour
2. shows dissent by word or action
3. persistently infringes the Laws of the Game
4. delays the restart of play
Laws of the Game 2006
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Quote:
Sending Off Offences A player, substitute or substituted player is sent off and shown the red card if he commits any of the following seven offences:
1. is guilty of serious foul play
2. is guilty of violent conduct
3. spits at an opponent or any other person 4. denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goalscoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area)
5. denies an obvious goalscoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player’s goal by an offence punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick
6. uses offensive or insulting or abusive language and/or gestures 7. receives a second caution in the same match.
A player, substitute or substituted player who has been sent off and shown the red card must leave the vicinity of the field of play and the technical area.
Laws of the Game 2006 |
The game is never run according to these rules. Professional players often show a great deal of dissent to authority of the Referee on the pitch, though they are never punished.
This must be the only professional sport were the referees decision is openly and disrespectfuly contested on the pitch.
The outcome is a viewed and aggravated questioning of authority and the spirit of sportsmanship.
Those who support and watch the game thus have any inkling of respect for authority erroded from an early age. This effect has proved to increase a social inept and degenerate group who proport to support and watch football. They have brought their intolerance of authority especialy the police into their everyday life thus degrading and bringing chaos and anarchy in areas where the game is played.
It is time the game cleaned up its act. Followed their rules on the pitch, supported and encouraged Ref's to take action and sent players off for foul language and dissent. The mesaage to society would be clear and precise, that such behaviour to sensible social rules in the spirit of sport are not tolerated. The effect will a young generation more respectful of teachers and police.