Warning: include(/home/mediasnackers/phatgnat.com/inc/main/content/zone_nav/log/previous.php) [function.include]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /mnt/local/home/mediasnackers/phatgnat.com/log/2005/March/06/43/index.php on line 31
Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening '/home/mediasnackers/phatgnat.com/inc/main/content/zone_nav/log/previous.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/local/php5/lib/php:/usr/local/lib/php') in /mnt/local/home/mediasnackers/phatgnat.com/log/2005/March/06/43/index.php on line 31
Warning: include(/home/mediasnackers/phatgnat.com/inc/main/content/intro_quote/index.php) [function.include]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /mnt/local/home/mediasnackers/phatgnat.com/log/2005/March/06/43/index.php on line 39
Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening '/home/mediasnackers/phatgnat.com/inc/main/content/intro_quote/index.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/local/php5/lib/php:/usr/local/lib/php') in /mnt/local/home/mediasnackers/phatgnat.com/log/2005/March/06/43/index.php on line 39
Warning: include(/home/mediasnackers/phatgnat.com/apps/rotation/graphics/common/tn/index.php) [function.include]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /mnt/local/home/mediasnackers/phatgnat.com/log/2005/March/06/43/index.php on line 42
Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening '/home/mediasnackers/phatgnat.com/apps/rotation/graphics/common/tn/index.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/local/php5/lib/php:/usr/local/lib/php') in /mnt/local/home/mediasnackers/phatgnat.com/log/2005/March/06/43/index.php on line 42
Football Is Bad For Kids
(UK/US) I recently blogged about how Hollywood is working on 8 football/soccer films for psfk.com here. This will obviously have a huge impact on raising the profile and participation of the sport stateside.
Back in the UK, Martin Ward, deputy leader of the Secondary Heads Association is lobbying TV controllers to show any football coverage after the 9pm watershed due to the negative effects it is having on students—full story here.
Mr Ward says, 'Violence, verbal abuse, foul language, cheating and defiance of authority…occur much more frequently outside school and, in particular, in professional football, often without the player even being cautioned.'
There is no way his suggestion is going to be adopted, however, with football/soccer ready to be paraded through Hollywood surely this would be an opportune time in which to review the disciplinary laws towards the 'behavioural' problems in the game.
There is an obvious lack of respect in football which manifests itself through the players unruly behaviour on the pitch. You only have to compare it to any other sport to note the difference in attitudes, reaction levels and, most importantly, respect for the officials.
Due to the media coverage and importance placed on the sport and it's players, young people are obviously going to be influenced by their 'role models'. There is a responsibility by the FA (Football Association—UK) and FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), to take measures to instill a much higher level of discipline and respect in the game.
Maybe they should start by capping wages and also introducing tougher penalties on players who obviously refute and harass the referee and each other in games.
Maybe pressure should also be coming from the fans and the corporate partners in the game—the FA is sponsored by Nationwide, MacDonalds, Umbro, Carlsberg, Pepsi—do these brands want to be associated with the increasing level of bad behaviour by their 'representatves'?
Even though there are a huge number of benefits and grassroots projects associated with football, Sir Trevor Booking (Head of FA) understandsfootballs societal benefits, 'the power of football is massively underused. It can be a power for good in society'—so how about starting on the field!
Filed by DK on March 6 2005
You're viewing 'Football Is Bad For Kids', an entry in our 'news, comment, opinion, speculation and other short-form info…' (b)log. You may also explore current and other entries, or search.