In view of what's been happening over the past week regarding the allegations/accusations/rumours over the sport, is it time to review how we, and the FA, look at football & footballers? In my opinion I think footballers are paid WAY too much, given too much free reign in how they operate, and I think the FA turn a blind eye to too much that goes on in the sport, while also being very hypocrytical in their own views, and concentrating on the monetary aspect of the players, treating them no more than pieces of merchandise. Younger players seem to treat the sport and fans with a lot of disrespect due to the large amounts they are paid, the freedom they are given and the way we fans treat them. Whereas, the FA, seem to concentrate on the money end of the sport. One thing that really got my back up was the FA's attitude to a new "Show racism the red card" promotion. While I heartily support something like this, they were directly questioned about tackling homophobia in the sport. The FA's response was that they don't want to single out a specific minority when tackling abuse. I find this very hypocritical, considering 3 premiership players went to MP Chris Smith last year wanting advice on how to be open with their sexuality in the sport after being told by their managers/chairman to keep their mouths shut as it would affect the clubs shares, the players transfer value etc. But as soon as a black player receives any sort of abuse, the FA are immediately up in arms. I find this very disgusting in the least, and now reading as how the young players 'deliberately' go out to pick up young girls to share, or roast as the media stated, I feel my faith in football is wearing very thin. We seem to have cultivated a generation of players, who run rampant while off the pitch, blowing wads of money on drink, drugs & gambling, treat women with disrespect, and are involved in voilent behaviour. Then when it comes to being punished by either the FA or our own law system, they are either fined a couple of weeks wages by the FA and receive a slap on the hand, or are let off entirely. What's a few thousand pounds to them when they receive millions a year and blow thousands away weekly. When all this has been sorted out (do we honestly think this will go to court?) I think the sport needs to take a long hard look at itself and see what's is wrong with it.
In the words of the Great George Best... "I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered. " Hola-Hola
A few issues. 1 - The ammount of money player have had is much different in the last 20+ years than is was 50 years ago. 2 - One cannot hide skin color, but can hid sexual orientation. They are both at different stages of acceptance (unfortunately, that is the word that must be used) 3- But, if you think that this culture is new, then you need to read up on your history. This type of behaviour has existed almost from the beginning. It is only more noticable due to the plethora of media.
I think footballers are much more professional and better behaved than they were in the past. The only difference is that the bad eggs tend to be a bit worse, because money attracts the worst kind of scummy hangers-on to lead them astray. The overwhelming majority of footballers are ok, or at least they are at Spurs
Take a course in Economics 101 if you don't understand why people are paid what they are paid (iin any field of work). If you refuse to study Economic principles and still whine...well, you're probably a socialist or communist.