I have always been a Radio 2 listener but recently less so, as the station has been
hijacked by 30-something adult-escents who haven't grown up. Like Steve
Wright and his juvenile gang in the afternoon and the crudely embarrassing
Jonathan Ross.
The most high profile casualty was of course Jimmy Young who
was sacked, not because his listening figures fell or that the standard of his
programme deteriorated, but because the BBC wanted him to make way for a
younger man. The result of his increased leisure time, means that Jimmy Young
now has a weekly column in a national newspaper.
Last week he wrote about a
good friend of his, a 'thoroughly nice guy', and like Jimmy Young himself, an
ardent Arsenal supporter. His friend, he says, has a simple complaint, "We pay
£50 a seat and then have the game ruined by some bloody clown with a whistle
and a notebook".
I suppose if I asked Jimmy's nice guy friend what he wanted as a spectator
from a football match, apart from his own side winning of course, he would
almost certainly have the same views as most spectators. A game in which
skilful players are allowed to display their skills and not be brought down by
cloggers or shirtpullers or the occasional flailing arm in the face. A game that is
free-flowing and when it is stopped for any reason is recommenced as soon as
possible.
Football played in the spirit of the beautiful
game, where players accept decisions and don't get involved in mass confrontations. Players who
don't cheat to deceive referees or play act to get opponents cautioned or sent off
and who don't cheat by constantly taking free kicks and throw-ins in advanced
positions. Players and coaches who respect their fans and their opponents.
If this is the case I think Jimmy Young's old friend ought to see the new report
just out from UEFA, European football's governing body. UEFA is to set up a
group to study the extent to which a series of disciplinary issues, including
diving, shirt pulling and referee harassment have become problems in the
game. Altogether the group will look at twelve issues and they will then pass on their
findings to FIFA and the International Football Association Board.
Before I come to those twelve points, let me just mention a separate issue
UEFA have been concerned with, drugs in football. The number of dope tests
carried out randomly will be increased by 30% next season. Not only that, the
scope of testing will be enlarged. Until now the concentration of tests has been
in the top competitions but they now plan to increase testing in the youth and
women's competitions. Sad but I suppose in the world we live in, necessary.
Let us turn to the 12 disciplinary issues that UEFA are going to be
considering.
1.
Players or coaches shouting at match officials.
2. Individuals or groups of players surrounding the referee after a
decision and possibly touching him.
3. Coaches encouraging fans to protest.
4. Players showing disrespect by voice or gestures after
a
decision.
5. Players manipulating the ball after the referee's whistle.
6. Goal celebrations where players leave the field and pull their
shirts off.
7. Threatening behaviour towards opponents when the game has
stopped.
8. Players not respecting the referee's instructions.
9. Diving.
10. Players trying to get opponents cautioned or sent off.
11. Holding and pushing in the penalty area before a comer kick
or free kick.
12. Players encroaching into the penalty area before a penalty
taker has touched the ball.
What I think Jimmy Young's Arsenal supporter needs to do is look at that list
and then I'd ask him a simple question, 'Who is it ruining football? because it
certainly isn't referees'.
Dick Sawdon Smith