The ugly in football

Football events are always in the spotlight for various reasons but unfortunately lately it's more on negative aspects rather than on the beauty of the beautiful game.

Ugly scenes preceded and followed the two matches of Algeria against Egypt, with players, fans and normal people not involved attacked and injured just because of their nationality. One of Egypt's most prominent players, Zaki, arrived to the extent of stating that he would not be willing to play with Portsmouth because in their ranks they have Belhadj an Algerian and two Israelis, Ben Haim a player and Avram Grant the Sports Director of team. Surely this is not what football is all about and on the contrary, should serve as a unifying aspect.

Much has been said and will continue being said about the goal Gallas scored against Ireland courtesy of an assist by Henry who helped himself by handling and controlling the ball with his hands. The referee and/or his assistant who until the episode were having a brilliant game were unfortunate not to spot the episode but slamming the referee is certainly not the right way of dealing with the situation. Admittedly they should have spotted the infringement but in a packed area and confused gameplay, they cannot really be faulted for missing it. This reignites the point that technological aids should be made use of as is already taking place in other sports. One can take tennis as an example, where each player has 3 chances to make a call to view a replay of a 50/50 decision. If the player is right, he does not lose any of the three chances to make recourse in doing so but if he is wrong he loses one chance and will have two remaining opportunities and so on to do so. Many said that Henry should have admitted his handball, as witnessed in similar episodes in the past when Fowler once admitted that a penalty in his favour should not have been awarded or when Di Canio had a glaring chance to score but stopped the ball with his hands because a defender was on the ground injured. But realistically, how many of us in his shoes would have done so? Episodes like this one even happen during 5-a-side games amongst friends, so one can only imagine the pressure Henry felt with the hopes of a nation hanging on him. What could have been avoided and that left a bad taste where his celebrations and the way that both Henry and the French Federation dealt with the situation. Henry ultimately did admit his mistake and asked for a replay but only after having been slammed and having said that he was not the referee... like we didn't know that! Henry has to realise that he is a role model for many people and that he inevitably should expect some stick from home and opposing supporters. The French Federation on the other hand were arrogant all throughout and actually even delayed supporting Henry in this ordeal. Kudos to the Irish team who did not create any big problems both on and off the pitch despite being 'robbed' of a World Cup slot.

The racist chants by so-called supporters in Juve's latest two games are despicable and should be outright condemned and as a result Juve, even though not directly culpable should accept any penalty inflicted upon them. But it is also the players and coaches themselves who should give a positive example and not incite supporters through uncalled for actions and words. Supporters should also realise that it would be beneficial for all that supporting outright their team through thick and thin instead of insulting and resorting to violence can only enhance football's image and lure more people to the stadium to watch games.

A curious fact that happened last weekend was when a goalkeeper in the Croatian League was given a yellow card for helping a cat that risked being hit by a ball during the match. Sometimes a bit of common sense wouldn't be amiss!