Professional football is not just any sport- at its highest reputational level , it is a money-spinning machine , a show-room of celebrity, as well as talent, of dubious politics, and even less morality, and with enormous social impact, for better or for worse.
Players and those who manage them should not be allowed to behave like thugs. Their conduct is one that not only impacts on fans in the stadium, in turn fuelling the most violent and prejuduced attitudes that they may be prone to, but also disrupts domestic life where players are held up as icons by children and fathers.
The behaviour of certain Atletico Madrid players in yesterday’s Copa del Rey tie with FC Barcelona was thuggery of the worst kind, with the hardline home fans an accompanying band, just weeks after their violent clash with visiting fans led to a fatality.
By contrast FC Barcelona , with the team finally finding its compass and playing some of the most brilliant football of the season,and resisting reacting to provocation, was an example worthy of a global following.
Have you read this book?
La Roja is bestselling author Jimmy Burns tremendous opus on Spanish soccer. From its early beginnings when the first soccer on the shores of Bilbao and Buenos Aires was played by British sailors and engineers, through to the influx of South American stars, and similarly inspirational Italians, Dutchman and Scandinavians.