Football Hooligans and Thugs
Discussion
Football hooliganism, thuggery and violence is here to stay.
Last week my son's team played a team whose manager seemed to enjoy abusing and mocking our players. It got quite personal, and his players also waded in with the name calling. It wasn't in the spirit of the game, especially when you consider that whilst the 14-15 year-olds on the pitch look like young men, they are still kids under the protection of adults.
The problem was, their parents joined in too and got on the referee's back, then started on the linesman (a player's dad). The name calling started with calling one of our players rubbish, to calling the linesman, 'too slow because he's fat'. You could see how much the manager was enjoying it because he was turning around to his bench and laughing after almost every comment. It was clear a big part of their game was to get into the players' heads. Some parents (of our boys) commented that the manager was making monkey chants in the car park. When you see the teams, it might be said that the chants were aimed at one or two of our players.
Yesterday the boys played another team - a top of the table clash - and their manager addressed the referee as 'oi' every time he wanted his attention. This was usually followed with 'f
k off...' before launching into why he was questioning the on-field decision. At one point, our manager said something about some shirt pulling, to which that same manager looked him in the face and said, "fk off you little prick". A parent taking pictures told our manager to leave it and walk away from the abusive man and he himself was told by the man's assistant to foxtrot oscar. An exchange ensued and the manager threatened to, 'come over there and sort' that parent out. He jumped over the rail but stopped seemingly anticipating that someone would hold him back, which someone eventually did (but more to tell him to get back). The referee said he didn't hear the exchange but warned any further nonsense will be punished. Towards the end of the game, a final warning was given to that same guy.
As the incident died down in the technical area, an oppo player's mum marched over to stand behind our subs who were stood next to the dugout. She then started shouting support for her own team. This 'support' was very loud and clearly an act of solidarity for the heated exchange moments earlier. The mood on the pitch changed too as the tackles got more aggressive and the players (oppo) constantly shouted at the referee and linesman. There were also some jibes aimed at our manager.
Whilst there is a strong case for 'talking' during game play to be part of the game, what I saw in these two games was how one person: the manager, is influencing the next generation of thugs. It's a problem that isn't going away. Fining these teams does nothing more than pay into the league coffers. Tougher sanctions are needed, such as lengthy bans, points deductions or even ejection from competition.
This is my first season as a parent after having been heavily involved in running the team my son was playing in previously. I do miss it, but I'm enjoying watching my son play more than having my eyes, ear and mind on 16 players during the game! I also love footy, but was a rugby player in my day; the football banter can be very entertaining between fans but this is an ugly side of the sport which, in my opinion, the governing bodies can do more now to make it a better environment in the future.
Jumping over the pitch banners to 'go and sort out' a parent is a disgraceful act and should be enough for that person to be sanctioned some time away from football to think about his actions.
Last week my son's team played a team whose manager seemed to enjoy abusing and mocking our players. It got quite personal, and his players also waded in with the name calling. It wasn't in the spirit of the game, especially when you consider that whilst the 14-15 year-olds on the pitch look like young men, they are still kids under the protection of adults.
The problem was, their parents joined in too and got on the referee's back, then started on the linesman (a player's dad). The name calling started with calling one of our players rubbish, to calling the linesman, 'too slow because he's fat'. You could see how much the manager was enjoying it because he was turning around to his bench and laughing after almost every comment. It was clear a big part of their game was to get into the players' heads. Some parents (of our boys) commented that the manager was making monkey chants in the car park. When you see the teams, it might be said that the chants were aimed at one or two of our players.
Yesterday the boys played another team - a top of the table clash - and their manager addressed the referee as 'oi' every time he wanted his attention. This was usually followed with 'f
k off...' before launching into why he was questioning the on-field decision. At one point, our manager said something about some shirt pulling, to which that same manager looked him in the face and said, "fk off you little prick". A parent taking pictures told our manager to leave it and walk away from the abusive man and he himself was told by the man's assistant to foxtrot oscar. An exchange ensued and the manager threatened to, 'come over there and sort' that parent out. He jumped over the rail but stopped seemingly anticipating that someone would hold him back, which someone eventually did (but more to tell him to get back). The referee said he didn't hear the exchange but warned any further nonsense will be punished. Towards the end of the game, a final warning was given to that same guy. As the incident died down in the technical area, an oppo player's mum marched over to stand behind our subs who were stood next to the dugout. She then started shouting support for her own team. This 'support' was very loud and clearly an act of solidarity for the heated exchange moments earlier. The mood on the pitch changed too as the tackles got more aggressive and the players (oppo) constantly shouted at the referee and linesman. There were also some jibes aimed at our manager.
Whilst there is a strong case for 'talking' during game play to be part of the game, what I saw in these two games was how one person: the manager, is influencing the next generation of thugs. It's a problem that isn't going away. Fining these teams does nothing more than pay into the league coffers. Tougher sanctions are needed, such as lengthy bans, points deductions or even ejection from competition.
This is my first season as a parent after having been heavily involved in running the team my son was playing in previously. I do miss it, but I'm enjoying watching my son play more than having my eyes, ear and mind on 16 players during the game! I also love footy, but was a rugby player in my day; the football banter can be very entertaining between fans but this is an ugly side of the sport which, in my opinion, the governing bodies can do more now to make it a better environment in the future.
Jumping over the pitch banners to 'go and sort out' a parent is a disgraceful act and should be enough for that person to be sanctioned some time away from football to think about his actions.
tele_lover said:
Why don't you contact the FA or League with your comments?
Two years ago, by assistant, a (then) 20 year-old uni lad - who had his arm in a sling after dislocating his shoulder - was punched in the same shoulder (as well as a glancing blow to the face) after a match. The incident was witnessed by everyone present and one parent managed to catch the tail end of it on his phone. There was no hearing, and based on the available evidence, a £15 fine was sanctioned (same as a player getting a yellow card). The 'investigation' was a joke and I get the feeling that a lot of these people in higher places have history with some clubs or the people in them...
Jefferson Steelflex said:
What frustrates me here is how the referees don't deal with this, either by retrospective reporting or using the authority they have to sanction. I used to go and mentor younger refs and this was my biggest issue in terms of development, half the time they are young kids so I understand they don't have the authority or just get picked on, but it needs to be addressed on the day.
I didn't do kids or grassroots football for very long, but if I had heard or seen what the OP was describing, I'd be sticking people in the car park or just abandoning the game.
I think referees (of all ages) are intimidated and fear for what might happen. They need better protection and the first step would be to ban anyone that abuses them. The cameras might prove to be a good installment in the grand scheme, but chuck out some points deductions and retrospective bans. That's what'll hurt 'em most. I didn't do kids or grassroots football for very long, but if I had heard or seen what the OP was describing, I'd be sticking people in the car park or just abandoning the game.
The manager of the visiting team jumped over the advertising boards/railing around the pitch to 'sort out' a parent. He stopped when he got over and there was a pause as he looked like he waited for someone to hold him back (which they did) and he gave it a load more verbal once he was pulled back.
I found out today that the mum that marched around the pitch to get involved was his wife.
I found out today that the mum that marched around the pitch to get involved was his wife.
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