Within the good of the game at all levels comes the side of football that tarnishes what we see. Whilst not a part of the non-league game, the actions of Roma’s Jose Mourinho last week during and after the UEFA Europa League Final loss to Sevilla have left a sour taste in the mouth of many.
For those of you who didn’t watch it, and I was one of those, social media channels alert you to everything that goes on and even if you miss it no doubt someone else has captured or shared the moment.
The game itself refereed by Anthony Taylor of our Premier League was a fraught affair, probably the best way to describe it with both sides causing problems on the pitch, diving, faking injuries, surrounding the referee at every opportunity and trying their best to spoil the occasion.
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14 yellow cards were shown on the night including one for Mourinho was the tip of the iceberg, Taylor constantly called to the sideline where the fourth official Michael Oliver struggled to keep the benches in check.
Mourinho then berated Taylor in an underground car park, calling the official an effing disgrace. Taylor and his family were then subject to a confrontation at Budapest airport as they arrived to board their flight home, chairs and a bottle thrown amidst insults and verbal abuse, horrifying scenes.
What does this have to do with non-league? Well, these people at the top are role models for those underneath and whatever they do is deemed the right thing to do for all.
A player buys the latest best wearing gear or football boots, thousands will follow and head to the shops. The same goes for a new brand of deodorant or jewellery, anything like that and not just in the footballing world either. So when behaviour turns ugly that pattern follows in turn, only this comes in the shape of verbal, mental and physical abuse.
Mourinho isn’t alone, we’ve seen it from Jurgen Klopp this year, Marco Silva too and others. I got called out on Twitter for condemning Klopp after the Liverpool vs Spurs game, ‘passion’ I got told it was when in fact it was downright abusive being in the face of the fourth official.
Then it was ‘well we don’t know what the official said to him’ when in fact it was the referee he had issue with, not the man on the touchline. Millions across the world saw that action, saw that as acceptable behaviour to use on or around a football pitch.
There is less protection in the non-league game, no escort off the pitch in most cases and no designated transport to and from the stadiums, it’s an open invitation almost and while I’m not suggesting the above can be carried out for every single match that takes place, respect doesn’t cost a thing.
Some will argue that should be earnt, but in respect of that let’s take a look at other sports shall we. Rugby, Cricket, the NFL, players respect the guys and girls controlling their game, in football a very high percentage don’t.
I heard earlier this year via a podcast there isn’t a shortage of referee’s in the game, there is a shortage wanting to take charge in the middle for fear of retribution should they get a decision wrong or take the stern line with players as they should do.
But because we don’t have that respect at the top it filters all the way down to the bottom. Klopp received a two match ban for this actions, not his first rodeo and I don’t imagine his last either, a few thousand for a fine in a world where everyone is a millionaire or close to it.
Does it hit them hard? No. Does it deter them not to do it again? No. I fully appreciate this is a game of passion but use it the right way, the punishments don’t scream ‘don’t do that again and here’s sufficient punishment’, they shout ‘a slap on the wrist and an ask to not do it again’, totally worthless.
What would I expect then? Money is nothing to top level players and managers, they earn obscene amounts. Put a stadium ban in place, five matches upwards, hit them with taking away their enjoyment of not doing their job and being where they should be, on the touchline.
Show them it’s not to be tolerated, why should it be? At times you wonder how a human being believes this is the right way to treat another human being that actually if they weren’t there controlling the game there would be no game. Of course that’s never likely to happen at the top level but just imagine if some physical harm had actually come to Taylor at that airport, it doesn’t bear thinking about.
I don’t doubt that day is closer than it ever should be, not so much for the high profile officials but lower down the pyramid, I sincerely hope it never comes but there has to be some examples made.
What would I like to see? Significant and acceptable punishments that hit the individual, not the clubs, not the rest of a fanbase who aren’t a part of this but again authorities seem reluctant to put anything like this in place. It’s not too late to act but should we be waiting for something more serious to happen before enough is enough?
What do you think? Did you follow the aftermath of the Europa League Final? Why does football seem not to follow the respect of officials other sports do? I’d be interested to hear your views in the comments section.
