February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Indeed, in ancient Rome if the crowd liked the gladiator whose life was threatened under the point of a sword, they could spare his life. Two millennia later, in 2002, we still have our arenas and crowds, and we still have deaths at sporting events. The difference today is that its the spectators who die, not the gladiators. But that doesn’t mean the gladiators (in this case players) are not themselves under threat. It could be just a matter of time before the unthinkable happens and a player is killed. As violence escalates in a manner reminiscent of the 1980s, it’s time once again for football associations and stadium officials to renew their commitment to stopping those who would create the supercharged, alcohol-fueled atmosphere where violence can and does occur.
In the early 1980s, hooliganism became a major concern for the football associations and bodies around the world. Sections of the crowd attended the games with a plan of action that was not to watch the game but, rather, to destroy it. In some parts of the world fans invaded the field and chased players and refs through the tunnel. Players were often expected to play on while rioting was taking place just a few yards away. Often, fights continued after the game and outside the stadium. Playing under threat had become the norm for a club and its players. Athletes were expected to keep their composure and focus on their game all the while be heckled and pelted with missiles of various kinds.
One of the biggest steps FIFA took at the time was to ban English clubs from competing in European competition. FIFA were all over the English league, scrutinizing domestic scene. But it was impossible to stop the ugliness altogether. A dramatic step toward controlling the stadium environment was the construction of all-seater arenas, which are a must for all top clubs today. Football representatives encouraged families to attend games. There seemed to be a calm period in English football and elsewhere as security tightened.
Then in January 1995, after constant racist abuse was hurled at Eric Cantona, he jumped over a barrier and assaulted a Crystal Palace fan. Without hesitation, Manchester United gave Cantona a maximum fine and suspended him from all first-team games for the remainder of the season. Then an FA disciplinary commission extended his ban and fine. FIFA stepped in to make it clear that they would not tolerate players stepping over the line by extending his ban on a worldwide scale. The French FA took away Cantona’s captaincy for his country. He was convicted of common assault and sentenced to two weeks in prison. A public plea that he was not a danger to society reduced his sentence to 120 hours of community service.
But even as United moved against Cantona, they also stood by him, sending a muddled message by giving him a three-year contract. United, of course, were left no choice but to suspend Cantona. Indeed, one of the highest-profile clubs in the world could not be seen to condone such outrageous behavior.
United are taking the same stand in not backing what Roy Keane said in his book about deliberately injuring another player. Supposedly for Cantona it was impulsive and for Keane it was premeditated. One way or another, if you go there with certain individuals, they will retaliate no matter what the consequences. Regardless of the reasoning, bottom line, players cannot take matters into their own hands. While there is still major concern that fans are throwing missiles at players and heckling has become personally abusive for the professionals, they absolutely must keep their composure.
Arsenal’s Thierry Henry has been the victim of overzealous fans. Missiles of all sorts were flung at Henry when he played for Arsenal against PSV Eindhoven in a Champions League encounter. It was all over the TV and it wasn’t pretty. Henry has claimed he was subjected to racist taunts while he prepared to take corner-kicks during the second half. The referee had the awareness to collect the missile evidence, believed to be coins and lighters.
“I don’t want to talk about it because I just want to talk about football, but it’s a bit of a shame,” said a subdued Henry. “Obviously, I have two ears, but you did not see me shout back,” was the classy response from the footballer. Arsenal spanked PSV 4-nil with Henry scoring two and letting his football do the talking back.
Arsenal’s manager, Arsene Wenger, put things into perspective when he said: “It’s not football that has a racist problem, it’s society. I feel like we have gone backwards in time.” Wenger insisted that video cameras should identify the culprits, who in turn should be banned from games for life. UEFA communications director Mike Lee said an investigation is under way.
In Celtic’s recent match against Basle in Switzerland, players were told that the recent crowd trouble in Swiss football was ready to explode again, especially if they won. Yes the Hoops were being prepared for the hostile environment, but imagine trying to play, never mind win, under such crowd pressure. The importance of the game for Celtic played second fiddle to a group of lunatics waiting to abuse players and start riots. In the past, these planned attacks have led to hundreds of injuries and deaths, never mind the psychological scars left on victims on and off the field. Celtic is no stranger to experiencing such ugliness at games, as the Old Firm clash with Rangers is always a major concern for crowd control. And that concern goes for both clubs as they both begin an even bigger effort to rid of the sectarian bile. When crowds gather, trouble is always a potential, but banning or removing troublemakers may save the game and, more important, a life.