There are many problems currently afflicting football, and one of the most serious is undoubtedly the rampant cheating epidemic, which continues to devalue and destroy the heart and soul of football. What is UEFA doing to tackle this problem? Nothing. And with Michel Platini running UEFA, this is unlikely to change anytime soon.
Michel Platini recently spoke of his current concerns over the state of football:
"I am worried. I can see lots of red lights flashing and I am afraid for the future of football which is going pear-shaped in some areas. We have to face up to match-fixing, corruption, illegal betting, violence on the pitch, racism and hooliganism. But we also need to send a message of hope."
Quelle surprise! Platini is worried about everything in football...except cheating. Apathy by omission, bit it's hardly surprising though since Platini is a self-confessed cheat.
In a moment of astonishingly ill-advised candour last year, Platini offered a disturbing insight into the cheating mindset of footballers:
"I know why players dive. I've dived myself. We did it because we knew the referee wouldn't see it and because there were no cameras. If we could get away with it we would. It was always my dream to dive and get a penalty in the World Cup semi-final to make up for what happened when Harald Schumacher [the German goalkeeper] fouled Patrick Battiston outside the area. If I could have done it I would because I hate injustice. I just couldn't get into the box”.
It was his dream to cheat in a World Cup semi-final?! If that wasn’t bad enough, just look at Platini’s ridiculous reasoning: it’s okay to cheat as long as it’s revenge against perceived injustice.
And this man runs UEFA?
According to its website, UEFA's core mission is: "To create the right conditions for the game in Europe to prosper and develop. Realistically, how can UEFA and its mission have any credibility with a self-confessed cheat at the helm?
Not that any of this matters though - the tragic irony is many fans share his views about cheating, and they're happy to condone it as long as their team gains an advantage.
With this in mind, it actually seems like fans have exactly the right person running European football - a man who feels exactly the same as they do: If you can get away with cheating your opponent, then do it.
Jaimie Kanwar
Michel Platini recently spoke of his current concerns over the state of football:
"I am worried. I can see lots of red lights flashing and I am afraid for the future of football which is going pear-shaped in some areas. We have to face up to match-fixing, corruption, illegal betting, violence on the pitch, racism and hooliganism. But we also need to send a message of hope."
Quelle surprise! Platini is worried about everything in football...except cheating. Apathy by omission, bit it's hardly surprising though since Platini is a self-confessed cheat.
In a moment of astonishingly ill-advised candour last year, Platini offered a disturbing insight into the cheating mindset of footballers:
"I know why players dive. I've dived myself. We did it because we knew the referee wouldn't see it and because there were no cameras. If we could get away with it we would. It was always my dream to dive and get a penalty in the World Cup semi-final to make up for what happened when Harald Schumacher [the German goalkeeper] fouled Patrick Battiston outside the area. If I could have done it I would because I hate injustice. I just couldn't get into the box”.
It was his dream to cheat in a World Cup semi-final?! If that wasn’t bad enough, just look at Platini’s ridiculous reasoning: it’s okay to cheat as long as it’s revenge against perceived injustice.
And this man runs UEFA?
According to its website, UEFA's core mission is: "To create the right conditions for the game in Europe to prosper and develop. Realistically, how can UEFA and its mission have any credibility with a self-confessed cheat at the helm?
Not that any of this matters though - the tragic irony is many fans share his views about cheating, and they're happy to condone it as long as their team gains an advantage.
With this in mind, it actually seems like fans have exactly the right person running European football - a man who feels exactly the same as they do: If you can get away with cheating your opponent, then do it.
Jaimie Kanwar
It's just ridiculous to hear someone so high up in the football hierarchy talk like this. He doesn't endear himself to football fans does he. He already has an inherent hate for British football which the fans know. This just adds to the dislike British fans have for him.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sod saying that it was his dream to dive. What an inspiration for any youngsters that read his comments and even more a reason for professional footballers to take advantage of some more diviing.
ReplyDeleteSaying something like diving will not be condemned would be much better Platini you idiot. The sooner these planks are removed from their positions the better.
Does cheating football affect revenues??
ReplyDeleteNO
Money talks and there will be nothing done about it if revenues aren't significantly affected
Platini is at least trying to do something regarding financial fair play
Youtube Schumacher's vicious assault by the way. It was utterly reckless, could have killed the guy, most people would feel justified to get revenge by any means afterwards
Good discussion on cheating on RTE on friday night after Mascherano's disgraceful antics v Porto
Richard Sadlier, forced to retire due to injury early in his promising career, and Trevor Stephen, were on the panel
Richard relected on how, early on for Millwall, he didn't go down for a penalty when he received slight contact. He was told by his manager and senior players that he was naive and that his decision could cost his team their league status, cost players and staff their jobs/livelihood etc
This shows how unfair it is to expect young players, trying to make it in the game and make a living, to be honest
Nobody wants an honest player
Therefore, rule changes with post match citing panel with power to inflict heavy fines for offending players, and then for most offending teams, is the only way to address cheating.
My definition of cheating is a deliberate attempt to subvert rules and gain an advantage covertly or by deception. I would not categorise normal rule infringements as cheating
Look at Platini there and now turn to Jordan Henderson...!!! The guy opined that the ref was right to book him as he went down far too easily. Hats off to u lad.
ReplyDeleteDiving should take a back seat to these issues. When you have fans making monkey chants at black players, teams getting pulled out of Champions League for fixing half the matches in their domestic leagues and clubs sitting on the brink of financial melt down i would say that's more important than whether a player went down too easily to win a peno.
ReplyDeleteWhile i do believe that diving does need to be stamped out because it's extremely unprofessional and unjust, i do think the issues that Platini highlights paint a far more grave picture to the sport of football.
Hey Simon - interesting points. I agree - if revenues aren't affect then there's no financial incentive for UEFA doing anything about it.
ReplyDeleteI see what Richard Sadlier is saying but I personally think it's a hollow argument. Preserve your league status by playing better/preparing better etc, not by trying to con the referre. You can do it this way, of course, but it's a pyhrric victory overall.