Monday, May 19, 2008
Could've Sworn I Heard...
Recently there seems to have been a spate of red cards in football competitions across NSW, largely due to a directive from Football NSW concerning "foul language":
FNSW and the football community have been working extremely hard to foster a family atmosphere and thereby increase attendances and the enjoyment of the game overall.
Foul language used by players and team officials is contrary to this endeavour and has no part in our game at any level.
Effective immediately, match officials who officiate at matches where players and/or officials use any form of unacceptable language that is audible by the assembled spectators and the match officials, is to immediately stop play, dismiss the offending player or official and restart play in the appropriate manner.
An automatic red card for swearing of any kind, in other words. "Audible by the assembled spectators" seems to have been interpreted somewhat broadly of late.
And anyone who has played the game even at amateur, adult level would be aware of just how ridiculous this edict is.
The majority of swearing that takes place on the field of play is directed at the player themselves, or at members of his/her own team. It's a perfectly natural reaction to disappointment in an adult, competitive situation, and attempting to curb it is a little like trying to wind back a sundial.
It's interesting that the edict refers to a "family atmosphere". As it happens, a "family atmosphere" is precisely what most of the A-League clubs offer, and most of the clubs in the NSW Premier League, by and large, don't. And there are plenty of things that the NSWPL clubs could do to ameliorate this, but enforcing a blanket ban on swearing is frankly not one of them.
Of course, excessive use of the richness of the English language is another matter, and there's certainly a case for sanctions if players (and, more particularly, coaches) provide a poor example. Sydney FC fans won't remember with much fondness Terry Butcher's expletive-ridden touchline diatribes, or Pierre Littbarski's "F--k you! F--k you!" spray at an opposition bench in 2005/06, both of which were faithfully captured on TV.
Invective directed at the referee, too, is worthy of sanction; I had no problem with Matthew Breeze sending Steve Corica off for his "f--king cheat" remark in the Sydney v. Newcastle game in late 2006. Though if Corica had used the word "incompetent" instead, he would have been nearer to the mark.
But back to NSW. Two things that I've noticed at NSWPL games this season: first, the referees have been highly selective in their swearing sanctions; second, despite being a little more careful about swearing, the players actually seem to be protesting (often in a quite petulant and futile manner) even more than usual. Just as bad an example to the young folk watching, in all truth.
And, of course, any blanket ban on swearing begs the usual question (particularly relevant in the NSW Premier League): what about profanity in other languages?
FNSW and the football community have been working extremely hard to foster a family atmosphere and thereby increase attendances and the enjoyment of the game overall.
Foul language used by players and team officials is contrary to this endeavour and has no part in our game at any level.
Effective immediately, match officials who officiate at matches where players and/or officials use any form of unacceptable language that is audible by the assembled spectators and the match officials, is to immediately stop play, dismiss the offending player or official and restart play in the appropriate manner.
An automatic red card for swearing of any kind, in other words. "Audible by the assembled spectators" seems to have been interpreted somewhat broadly of late.
And anyone who has played the game even at amateur, adult level would be aware of just how ridiculous this edict is.
The majority of swearing that takes place on the field of play is directed at the player themselves, or at members of his/her own team. It's a perfectly natural reaction to disappointment in an adult, competitive situation, and attempting to curb it is a little like trying to wind back a sundial.
It's interesting that the edict refers to a "family atmosphere". As it happens, a "family atmosphere" is precisely what most of the A-League clubs offer, and most of the clubs in the NSW Premier League, by and large, don't. And there are plenty of things that the NSWPL clubs could do to ameliorate this, but enforcing a blanket ban on swearing is frankly not one of them.
Of course, excessive use of the richness of the English language is another matter, and there's certainly a case for sanctions if players (and, more particularly, coaches) provide a poor example. Sydney FC fans won't remember with much fondness Terry Butcher's expletive-ridden touchline diatribes, or Pierre Littbarski's "F--k you! F--k you!" spray at an opposition bench in 2005/06, both of which were faithfully captured on TV.
Invective directed at the referee, too, is worthy of sanction; I had no problem with Matthew Breeze sending Steve Corica off for his "f--king cheat" remark in the Sydney v. Newcastle game in late 2006. Though if Corica had used the word "incompetent" instead, he would have been nearer to the mark.
But back to NSW. Two things that I've noticed at NSWPL games this season: first, the referees have been highly selective in their swearing sanctions; second, despite being a little more careful about swearing, the players actually seem to be protesting (often in a quite petulant and futile manner) even more than usual. Just as bad an example to the young folk watching, in all truth.
And, of course, any blanket ban on swearing begs the usual question (particularly relevant in the NSW Premier League): what about profanity in other languages?
Comments:
<< Home
I've never really got the offense associated with swearing I feel Corica's use of the word cheat was the offensive part of his statement and the part he should have been sent off for. Language can be offensive regardless of whether it contains swearing and truly offensive language should be punished. This whole thing though is laughable. Making adrenaline filled and often pained adults learn to use the words sugar and fudge when the miss a sitter is plainly ridiculous and assuming that this change may some how increase attendances... honestly they've got fudging sugar for brains.
They also seem to being doing the same in the VPL - a lot of red cards have been handed out recently for so-called foul language - although in most cases it has been directed at an official.
It reminds me of a court case a few years ago when a judge told some coppers that they should expect to hear some potty mouth when arresting a drunk early in the morning in the rocks.
# posted by 
: May 20, 2008 at 8:45 AM
: May 20, 2008 at 8:45 AM
Get rid of all foul language.
If players are so thick they do not understnd then they will when they are sent off.
It is a sport afterall
If players are so thick they do not understnd then they will when they are sent off.
It is a sport afterall
# posted by : May 21, 2008 at 1:33 PM
: May 21, 2008 at 1:33 PM
but what is foul language? It's in the eye of the beholder.
What you consider foul just may be an other everyday word in someone else's lexicon.
As a working class lad I consider people taking offense to my vocabulary to be offensive to me.
It's bloody class discrinmination is what it is.
Post a Comment
What you consider foul just may be an other everyday word in someone else's lexicon.
As a working class lad I consider people taking offense to my vocabulary to be offensive to me.
It's bloody class discrinmination is what it is.
# posted by : May 22, 2008 at 6:33 PM
: May 22, 2008 at 6:33 PM << Home
