Punishment for Field-Thugs

By: Ben | December 1st, 2008

The media concentration on violence in football is centered mainly on offenses committed by fans; which understandably is the crux of the Italian game (be it sociological or structural within the administration of the FIGC) yet the violence of players’ actions on the field should be measured in the same.

The athlete needs to act under the responsibility of representing not only team but league, sportsmanship and the media coverage that the modern player is exposed to. Irresponsibility of actions can only heighten the response of the spectators, for the fan is represented by player and therefore a wrong turn incurred or suffered on the field is felt in the same by the fan or worse, the fanatic.

Much in the same way Alberto Gilardino was handed a two match ban for deftly forearming a ball past Marco Amelia, Sulley Muntari should come under consideration for putting hands to Marco Marchionni in the latest Derby d’Italia when the latter leaned a little extra drama into his penalty box tumble yet the replay showed there was enough contact to merit a foul and he did not embellish as potently as say Ricardo Kakà crumbled against Chievo in week 12 of the campionato. The action in question is Muntari’s reaction to Marchionni’s plea for a foul, pulling the grounded player up from the armpits followed by what surely was a scathing shower of expletives directed at Marco’s decision to seek a penalty. Not to direct all attention towards Sulley who is quite plainly a midfielder of the highest level in both his tackling abilities and vision of the field; yet another instance must be called upon in this past weekends match against Napoli where he thrust a finger repeatedly in the face of the squat Walter Gargano and continued to retaliate afterward when called aside by the presiding referee Roberto Rossetti.

Cristiano Doni and Thomas Manfredini of Atalanta performed such a petulant display against the referee in week 12 when they played host to Napoli that both should have been shown a swift red and ushered into the locker room. Doni certainly at thirty five should hold composure in such circumstances as role-model for the younger members of the team, but simply as an adult he should understand that his behavior would not be tolerated off the field: say in a post-office or bank one must abide by the rule of the line (the unspoken rules of societal boundaries must be practiced for if its citizens all have mutant fits at the slightest discomfort we would all be doomed), much the same this behavior should have no place in the stadium.

The notion of fair-play must go further than relinquishing possession for an injured player; it must be extended to the referees and the opposition alike. Class does exist in the likes of players such as Maicon Douglas Sisenando of Inter; both in his tireless displays at the right-back and his consummate sportsmanship and respect for his opponents (examples need not be named, watch the next Inter match and you’ll be sure to witness evidence). Simone Perrotta of Roma must also be recognized for his discipline in the most heated of all encounters, the Derby della Capitale. Upon being shown his second yellow card and subsequent red, he acknowledged his foul and shook hands with the referee before exiting the field. It’s understood that emotions run high in such contests and I’m by no means calling for hugs and handshakes yet the practice of restraint can play an event differently in the eyes of public and while it won’t certainly rid the game of fan violence, it can surely be the difference between a simmer and a boil.

Change doesn’t happen overnight, rather it’s the result of a collective and concentrated effort over time. It is important that change first comes from the field, simply because it is the center of attention and in effect the root of the problem; and if small measures are taken in turning the attitude of the players then surely it can resonate to that of the spectators.