There is a lot to be frustrated about in modern football even though the money in the game seemingly masks what could be considered as small misdemeanors.
Such theatrics as seen in the Chelsea versus Arsenal game are one thing but players will always clash at different times even if some do over step the mark. That has happened throughout the history of the game as players of any sport will testify that they absolutely hate losing. These days it is far more than that, much more is at stake for players, clubs and fans alike. Long gone are the times when you could say ‘it is the taking part that counts’.
So what bugs us? Well, there is quite a bit actually so we went to Twitter to ask the very same question and here are the most common suggestions in no particular order.
Waving that imaginary card
There is simply no need for this in the game, just let the officials do their job. It seems to be something that is creeping into the English game but it has been all too common on the continent. It is easy to point the finger at foreign players but in this instance, it is justified. The gesture is ungentlemanly conduct, if indeed there still is such a rule these days. It is probably known as something different now though although the feeling is just the same. If the player making the hand gesture is so interested in seeing a card then the official should be well within their rights to award them one – for the gesture!
Respect for the officials
One of my fellow TEB writers Neil Carter touched on the respect that referees have in rugby in his recent article. What he says is spot on. Football could learn a lot from the respect that rugby players have for the officials in the game. All too often players surround a football referee before or even after he has made a decision. The pressure of such actions is close to harassment at times and it is mostly the larger clubs in the Premier League that have players guilty of this. If players lay off the officials, maybe, just maybe they would be under less pressure and much more likely to make less mistakes.
Managers comments
There is a duty for these highly paid people to talk to the media after a game and do it sensibly. Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said after a recent game that his side won courtesy of a goal that was offside ‘we won and that is all I care about’. A bit of honesty would go a long way sometimes as you well know that should his side lose by such a decision he would certainly make it clear there had been a mistake rather than the failing of his own team. Meanwhile, there are managers that can often be heard saying ‘I did not see it’ about a controversial incident that went in favour of his side. Perhaps it is time for managers to talk in front of the cameras once the heat of the moment has passed but what kind of fun would that be? The media craves the immediate stroppy or nonsensical reactions.
Diving
This is a real issue in the game. It is as if it is a win at all costs mentality in this money orientated sport that we are all addicted to. Every team has been on the rough end of an official making a decision in favour of a player that has dived. Some more than others. Can you blame the official? Not in all cases. The pundits sit in their studios making the correct decisions with the ability of television replays. Officials have to make a split second decision so not all decisions are going to be correct. Players simply do not help matters and this one also touches on the respect of the officials and fellow professionals. All players should have a duty to act for the good of the game at all times but that simply is not the case.
Feigning injury
This is so difficult to prove as some are less obvious than others but how many times do a team struggling in a game or under pressure end up with a player on the ground which breaks up the flow. Not all teams do it, just some. It is not always the same teams but I still wonder whatever happened to officials sending players off the pitch to have treatment if they were capable of being helped off the pitch. That would no doubt have kept former Chelsea doctor Eva Carneiro in her job.
FIFA
How can those involved in the game behave themselves when it is clear that the powers that be do not have the best interests of the game at heart? Nothing more to add other than I suspect as it says it all.
Ticket Prices
Too many times the fans of the English game are taken advantage of. The ticket prices is the hot topic particularly for away fans. Having to shell out £40 plus for a seat that you cannot choose in one corner of the ground where the view might be obscured is ludicrous. This on top of the cost of travelling has seen the Twenty Is Plenty campaign introduced and their are clubs taking notice. It should not be up to just a couple though, it should be all clubs adopting such am approach. We have said it here at TEB so often, we only have to look at the German model for direction. The cheapest season in the Bundesliga is around £95 which is at Wolfsburg, cup winners and league runners up. That is the cost of two adults tickets to Norwich away and Chelsea away this season. Incredible.
Find out more about the ticket pricing in the Bundesliga in this article on Bundesliga Fanatic.
Money
This could be the one single thing that has changed the game beyond all recognition and perhaps is the root cause of all of the above. The game is almost a former shadow of itself. Just look back to when we gained promotion through the play offs in the 1989/90 season. That is a small matter of 25 years ago and things do change. Look at how we enjoy football now compared to back then. There was no internet let alone Twitter, Facebook or 24 hour news coverage. Money provides many things but whether or not it has made the game better than it was, it has certainly created a monster that is now a product rather than a sport.
Each of these annoyances seem to have their own role to play in the modern game. It could really do without some if not all of them but there really is little chance any of them, if not all, will all go away. One or two could be addressed quite simply by the Football Association clamping down. Not that they do not have enough to do but perhaps, if officials were given the respect they deserved then the powers that be would have the time to deal with the other annoyances.
With all that being said, the game would not be as much fun to talk about if it was perfect.
