Comments on: Where ‘fair play’ is a relative term http://blogs.reuters.com/blog/2007/04/20/where-fair-play-is-a-relative-term/ Just another Blogs.reuters.com weblog Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:07:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Brian Homewood http://blogs.reuters.com/blog/2007/04/20/where-fair-play-is-a-relative-term/#comment-170573 Brian Homewood Mon, 23 Apr 2007 13:39:05 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/2007/04/20/where-fair-play-is-a-relative-term/#comment-170573 Matt In general, yes, I think you're right. At the first sign of trouble in South America, you'll see truncheon-wielding riot police run onto the pitch to protect the match officials. South American referees also impose more respect because there is none of that long-winded lecturing of players which you see so often in, for example, the English premiership. They either give an offending player a card or they don't and that's the end of the matter. Finally, the South American Football Confederation set a good example earlier this year by handing a one-year ban to a Brazilian player who pushed the referee after a match in the South American under-20 championship. Matt

In general, yes, I think you’re right. At the first sign of trouble in South America, you’ll see truncheon-wielding riot police run onto the pitch to protect the match officials. South American referees also impose more respect because there is none of that long-winded lecturing of players which you see so often in, for example, the English premiership. They either give an offending player a card or they don’t and that’s the end of the matter. Finally, the South American Football Confederation set a good example earlier this year by handing a one-year ban to a Brazilian player who pushed the referee after a match in the South American under-20 championship.

]]> By: London http://blogs.reuters.com/blog/2007/04/20/where-fair-play-is-a-relative-term/#comment-170000 London Sat, 21 Apr 2007 18:22:05 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/2007/04/20/where-fair-play-is-a-relative-term/#comment-170000 I agree, Matt. The South American refs were of a higher standard than the more famous European variety (Merk, Michel, etc) at the World Cup. I agree, Matt. The South American refs were of a higher standard than the more famous European variety (Merk, Michel, etc) at the World Cup.

]]> By: Matt http://blogs.reuters.com/blog/2007/04/20/where-fair-play-is-a-relative-term/#comment-169629 Matt Sat, 21 Apr 2007 01:16:25 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/2007/04/20/where-fair-play-is-a-relative-term/#comment-169629 It's a shame Internacional have been knocked out. They were terrific last season and stunned Sao Paulo in the final, especially in the first, away leg. Having lost the prolific Rafael Sobis to Betis - a seemingly inevitable fate for clubs if a player scores plenty of goals - retention of the Libertadores was always unlikely. PS Brian - from what I watch of South American football, mainly from Argentina, referees seem to well respected the majority of the time, even though one would expect their position to be more vulnerable than, say, in Europe, because of riots or the role of 'ultra' fans and the huge influence football bears in countries like Argentina. Is this the case? Are referees well protected by the footballing authorities? I must add that the level of officiating in South America is of a very high standard (which clearly helps), indicated by their performances in last year's World Cup - one refereed a semi and Elizondo the final. It’s a shame Internacional have been knocked out. They were terrific last season and stunned Sao Paulo in the final, especially in the first, away leg. Having lost the prolific Rafael Sobis to Betis - a seemingly inevitable fate for clubs if a player scores plenty of goals - retention of the Libertadores was always unlikely.

PS Brian - from what I watch of South American football, mainly from Argentina, referees seem to well respected the majority of the time, even though one would expect their position to be more vulnerable than, say, in Europe, because of riots or the role of ‘ultra’ fans and the huge influence football bears in countries like Argentina. Is this the case? Are referees well protected by the footballing authorities?

I must add that the level of officiating in South America is of a very high standard (which clearly helps), indicated by their performances in last year’s World Cup - one refereed a semi and Elizondo the final.

]]> By: Jon http://blogs.reuters.com/blog/2007/04/20/where-fair-play-is-a-relative-term/#comment-169409 Jon Fri, 20 Apr 2007 13:06:15 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/2007/04/20/where-fair-play-is-a-relative-term/#comment-169409 Yep, it should be up to the refs (or even a video official) to make the call. I´m glad Internacional didn´t give the ball back if it was an obvious con. Yep, it should be up to the refs (or even a video official) to make the call. I´m glad Internacional didn´t give the ball back if it was an obvious con.

]]> By: Jim http://blogs.reuters.com/blog/2007/04/20/where-fair-play-is-a-relative-term/#comment-169391 Jim Fri, 20 Apr 2007 12:33:01 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/2007/04/20/where-fair-play-is-a-relative-term/#comment-169391 Giving the ball back to the opposition after a player has been injured started as a fair play thing. However the spirit of this, although well placed, has now been lost as it has become increasingly abused by so caleld 'professional' footballers - probably at the behest of their tactically aware managers. It's about time the whole thing was kicked into touch. Giving the ball back to the opposition after a player has been injured started as a fair play thing. However the spirit of this, although well placed, has now been lost as it has become increasingly abused by so caleld ‘professional’ footballers - probably at the behest of their tactically aware managers.

It’s about time the whole thing was kicked into touch.

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