What has happened to our sportsmen?

[Littlepeahead]

Last week Mervyn Westfield, the Essex bowler, was jailed for spot fixing during a match against Durham. He then claimed that Pakistan player Danish Kaneria was the middle man between him and the illegal bookmaker.

A few weeks back we have footballers making racists remarks and look at the fallout from that.

And over the weekend we have boxers brawling in the press conference rather than the ring.

All incidents of different types but whatever message must this send out to kids watching sport and being influenced by sporting heroes?

The match fixing was particularly disappointing for me. I happen to know both players and to think that they could go out to bowl wearing their Essex shirts and then cheat for the sake of a few thousand pounds makes me very angry.

[Bri w]

Totally agree. I grew up idolising our sporting legends and like so many young lads, trying to emulate them. I well remember my lad 'winning' a penalty by diving. He admitted after the match that he'd seen Ian Wright of Arsenal doing it so he thought he would try it. I ripped into him about honesty and integrity. That's the dangerous message that gets sent out when our sporting legends misbehave.

Sad times...

[MisterTommyH]

What has happened to our sportsmen?

A: Money - what do I win?

Make them all amateur again (I know it's not really practical, but it'a professionalism, sponsorship and greed that leads to most of this).

[SoulKiss]

Last week Mervyn Westfield, the Essex bowler, was jailed for spot fixing during a match against Durham. He then claimed that Pakistan player Danish Kaneria was the middle man between him and the illegal bookmaker.

A few weeks back we have footballers making racists remarks and look at the fallout from that.

And over the weekend we have boxers brawling in the press conference rather than the ring.

All incidents of different types but whatever message must this send out to kids watching sport and being influenced by sporting heroes?

The match fixing was particularly disappointing for me. I happen to know both players and to think that they could go out to bowl wearing their Essex shirts and then cheat for the sake of a few thousand pounds makes me very angry.

Greed, pure and simple.

[Owenski]

Match fixing is a different kettle of fish, thats a crime not a cheat. Its not a tabloid filler its something which can and will disgrace a person and their sport. It doesnt do well to compear it to events this week with the boxers.
Firstly: Boxing has long since become the farcical show that America goes nuts for. Press conferences and other attention seeking tactics, I'll put money on the incident this week been staged/pre arranged. Haye has long since been saying he's done with the fighting and is going to choose a pundits life and this gives him a way out. I belive that this weeks actions were all "part of the show" so to speak, think more along the lines of the wrestling where they always have back stories to fights. Its no longer just a strength/stamina competition between two athleats that can last less than 3 mins its now a 2 week event based on hype and expectation.

As regards the racism in football, the Louis Suarez situation inperticular depending on what you rear/hear it was all a false accusation. But because we're all so PC crazy he had no choice but to be banned, its a screwy world is sports and media but the pro's make that choice and they get paid handsomely for it. Diving etc is a sad part of the game but a part of it no less, if FIFA want it out of the game then they need to enforce it and the only way to do that is to bring in the cameras....

Appologies if thats all fragmented but its been a hectic weekend.

[1210tech]

Make them all amateur again (I know it's not really practical, but it'a professionalism, sponsorship and greed that leads to most of this).

spot on ;)

[Nobbylad]

I agree with pretty much all the responses so far, from the money angle, the 'celebrity' need to fill column inches and even the FA making a (incorrect in my opinion) example of Luis Suarez.

There are very few sports in my view that are left untarnished by cheating in some form or other. :(

[Paul the 6th]

Anyone else on here only follow bsb like me?

[dizzyblonde]

Overpaid, spoilt brats. Get everything on a platter and want more besides. Can't get their own way, throw toys out of pram, have no sense of responsibility for themselves, as their chosen sport wipes their backsides with gold leaf toilet paper......think that covers it.

[The Idle Biker]

Take a look at the sportsmen and women that will be taking part in this years Olympics.
These are elite athletes who train every day of their lives to make their living and to have the honour of winning something fantastic. Two main differences between most of them and the eejyts mentioned in the OP.

1. The amount of easy money involved
2. The amount of press coverage

Both are linked and both elements feed off each other. The vast majority of sports professionals are hugely dedicated and extremely responsible, even most of those who are overpaid.

The weak willed ones are irresponsible, prone to corruption and get reported. They're just people, we're all flawed.

In any case, there always has been corruption in sport, drunkenness, debauchery and easy money. That's why I tried to be footballer for so long.

[stewie]

Who said they had to be role models in the first place ?

[Nobbylad]

Good point

[Amadeus]

even the FA making a (incorrect in my opinion) example of Luis Suarez.

I don't really follow football but from what I saw, he should have been made an example with - what do you think should have happened? Was there more to the story than I'm aware of?

[Owenski]

I don't really follow football but from what I saw, he should have been made an example with - what do you think should have happened? Was there more to the story than I'm aware of?

Its all over youtube for you too see if you're interested but this clip shows all you need to know of the recent event surrounding their handshake.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULNxNu_hhos


but clips of the rest of it is all available for all to see as well.

[MisterTommyH]

All the stuff about the hand-shake is balls aswell.

One week, a bloke says he doesn't want to shake someones hand so they cancel all the handshakes for both teams. It is widely reported and there is no outrage.

A few weeks later another bloke (for pretty much the same reasons) doesn't say anything in advance, but just doesn't shake hands - allowing the whole of the rest of the teams to shake hands. There is widespread outrage.

What is the message this is sending? "It's ok not to be a sportsman, provided that you tell us in advance that you're not going to be one and we'll accomodate you by stopping everyone else making a sporting gesture aswell".

Petulent children - the players and the FA.

[AZZ3R]

Boxing has gone down hill, I think the only decent boxers to watch now are, Mayweather, Froch, Khan, Wlad Klitschko & Tim Bradley. The rest are just not worth the money.

I respect that 'some' boxers earn so much & they deserve it, some fighters can hit real hard, Enzo Maccarinelli punch weighed in just inder 3.5tonnes, like being hit by a 10lb sledge hammer at 40mph.

They have a 'short' career not footballers, some footballers can play untill their early 40's yet they earn up to £250k a WEEK, Sorry but if they gave £10k to their local hospital every month it still wouldn't effect them. Some sports have gone beyond repair & are now just a joke.

[Littlepeahead]

Cricketers are not too badly paid anymore - but someone at Westfield's level certainly wouldn't be on a staggering wage like a footballer.

Match fixing aside, ff cricketers behaved towards the umpires and the opposition the way some footballers behave towards referees and the other team I'd just have to give up watching. Thankfully that has yet to happen.

But then the cricketers sign up to this code, can't see footballers doing something similar can you?

Spirit of Cricket: Preamble to the Laws

Cricket is a game that owes much of its unique appeal to the fact that it should be played not only within its Laws but also within the Spirit of the Game. Any action which is seen to abuse this spirit causes injury to the game itself. The major responsibility for ensuring the spirit of fair play rests with the captains.

1. There are two Laws which place responsibility for the team's conduct firmly on the captain.

Responsibility of captains

The captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of the Game as well as within the Laws.

Player's conduct

In the event of a player failing to comply with instructions by an umpire, or criticising by word or action the decision of an umpire, or showing dissent, or generally behaving in a manner which might bring the game into disrepute, the umpire concerned shall in the first place report the matter to the other umpire and to the player's captain, and instruct the latter to take action.

2. Fair and unfair play

According to the Laws the umpires are the sole judges of fair and unfair play.
The umpires may intervene at any time and it is the responsibility of the captain to take action where required.

3. The umpires are authorised to intervene in cases of:


Time wasting
Damaging the pitch
Dangerous or unfair bowling
Tampering with the ball
Any other action that they consider to be unfair

4. The Spirit of the Game involves RESPECT for:


Your opponents
Your own captain
The roles of the umpires
The game's traditional values

5. It is against the Spirit of the Game:


To dispute an umpire's decision by word, action or gesture
To direct abusive language towards an opponent or umpire
To indulge in cheating or any sharp practice, for instance:
(a) to appeal knowing that the batsman is not out
(b) to advance towards an umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing
(c) to seek to distract an opponent either verbally or by harassment with persistent clapping or unnecessary noise under the guise of enthusiasm and motivation of one's own side

6. Violence

There is no place for any act of violence on the field of play.

7. Players

Captains and umpires together set the tone for the conduct of a cricket match. Every player is expected to make an important contribution towards this.

[Amadeus]

Its all over youtube for you too see if you're interested but this clip shows all you need to know of the recent event surrounding their handshake.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULNxNu_hhos


but clips of the rest of it is all available for all to see as well.

Yeah, I saw that, and having seen that, I think that the FA should have made an example of him, I was wondering why it was suggested that he shouldn't have been.

[Messie]

All good points LPH but I see the problem as much more widespread than sport.

There have been revelations about cheating politicians. The relationship between the police and the media is suspect. The media themsleves are under intense scrutiny because of alleged illegal hacking ofprivate phones. The police themselves are no without suspicion. reports last week suggested that many/most of us are willing to grab a quick buck interms of a claim for whiplash (or a new expensice lid and jacket in a bikers case) when involved in an accident.

I am certainly not jumping to any cause and effect conclusions, but I think it's clear that many moral standards, or even individual consciences, have been left by the wayside

PS and I haven't even mentioned Bankers

[Bri w]

All good points LPH but I see the problem as much more widespread than sport.

There have been revelations about cheating politicians. The relationship between the police and the media is suspect. The media themsleves are under intense scrutiny because of alleged illegal hacking ofprivate phones. The police themselves are no without suspicion. reports last week suggested that many/most of us are willing to grab a quick buck interms of a claim for whiplash (or a new expensice lid and jacket in a bikers case) when involved in an accident.

I am certainly not jumping to any cause and effect conclusions, but I think it's clear that many moral standards, or even individual consciences, have been left by the wayside

PS and I haven't even mentioned Bankers

I blame the teachers ;)

[Messie]

Lol, yes but to be serious, for once I don't think you can blame the teachers

Have you heard of any teachers accepting money or bribes to throw a test or cheat at an exam?

[carelesschucca]

People have bent the rules as long as there has been some sort of competition be it sport or business or even love.

Sport hasn't changed, sportsmen haven't changed but the reporting of them and the way they are shown by the press has.

I think George Orwell said it all a few years ago;

Serious sport has nothing to do with fair play. It is bound up with hatred, jealousy, boastfulness, disregard of all rules and sadistic pleasure in witnessing violence. in other words, it is war minus the shooting.

[andrewsmith]

Greed, pure and simple.

This.
When did kicking an inflated pig bladder earn you £10m a year

Overpaid, spoilt brats. Get everything on a platter and want more besides. Can't get their own way, throw toys out of pram, have no sense of responsibility for themselves, as their chosen sport wipes their backsides with gold leaf toilet paper......think that covers it.

This also
One of the reason I watch Rugby for, the players in the UK are paid a 'fair' wage (Middle managers earn more than most players)

People have bent the rules as long as there has been some sort of competition be it sport or business or even love.

Sport hasn't changed, sportsmen haven't changed but the reporting of them and the way they are shown by the press has.

I think George Orwell said it all a few years ago;

Serious sport has nothing to do with fair play. It is bound up with hatred, jealousy, boastfulness, disregard of all rules and sadistic pleasure in witnessing violence. in other words, it is war minus the shooting.

:notworthy:

[fizzwheel]

Sport hasn't changed, sportsmen haven't changed but the reporting of them and the way they are shown by the press has.

Or has our expectation of how a "public" figure should behave changed. Do we put people like Beckham on such a high pedestal that its inevitable that they will eventually fail to meet the high moral standards that we set for them.

[The Idle Biker]

One of the reason I watch Rugby for, the players in the UK are paid a 'fair' wage (Middle managers earn more than most players)
:notworthy:

Maybe, but what about Dalagio cocaine piece, the antics of the RU England World cup team last year, the fake blood substitution (Harlequins I think), match fixing down under, ticket touting by players and the infamous finger up the bum foul technique?? :smt103

[phil24_7]

Well said TIB!

[thefallenangel]

Sport is flavour of the month, bankers last month, BBC fat cats, Adam Crozier at Royal Mail, rich club owners there's loads.

Although the boxers didn't do themselves any favours whatsoever.

[Lozzo]

<snip>
All incidents of different types but whatever message must this send out to kids watching sport and being influenced by sporting heroes?


My sporting heroes were:

Barry Sheene (GP rider) - notorious British playboy who married Stephanie, a former Penthouse model

Phil Read (GP rider) - notorious British playboy who married Angie, a former topless model

Giacomo Agostini (GP rider) - notorious Italian playboy

James Hunt (F1 driver) - notorious British playboy famous for his drink and drug binges

Make of that what you will, but I can't remember a time in my memory when sport was squeaky clean.

[BanannaMan]

Overpaid, spoilt brats. Get everything on a platter and want more besides. Can't get their own way, throw toys out of pram, have no sense of responsibility for themselves, as their chosen sport wipes their backsides with gold leaf toilet paper......think that covers it.


+1


Who said they had to be role models in the first place ?



+1
Ride a motorcycle, be your own hero