Bully !!!!!

Well, in my line of work, I've had to deal with my fair share of this condition so I can provide a few pointers. Allow me to elaborate.

i) A bully is usually inadequate in some way, either physically, mentally or                       psychologically.
ii) They have a warped sense of self esteem.
iii) They apparently cannot achieve in a straight forward manner.
iv) It is their intention that, the norm, or rule book is thrown away.
v) They often use someone else to achieve their goals.
vi) They want their own way and will employ any tactics to achieve it.
vii) They prefer to operate when no-one is looking, often operating in the                     dark shadows.
viii) Their motives are highly questionable.
ix) If they succeed they become more pleasant although they will not alter                     their basic behaviour.
x) They wish to seize power.

So why am I talking about bullies?
Well it would appear to me that there are 'bullies' at work in football. I would point to the above characteristics to describe the behaviour that certain prominent people in football are displaying and it sickens me.
A fine example of this has been seen during the first batch of Premiership football matches this season.
Certain people would have us believe that they have been 'victimised' recently by the game of football.
Their inadequacy to work within a clear set of laws has been obvious.
They consider that they should be 'favoured.'
They are not prepared to adhere to the laws that have been clearly explained.
They wish to 'over-ride' the laws of football.
They hide behind other peoples' circumstances.
They completely condone their own behaviour.
What are their motives?

If allegations are true, a fine example of this condition would have to be Arsenal FC, Arsene Wenger and Patrick Viera in particular, but sadly they are not alone.
They are obviously finding it difficult to win games in the straightforward manner and so they allegedly adopt 'bully boy' tactics.
i) Arsene Wenger has (allegedly) 'physically confronted an official in the                        tunnel area at Sunderland. He didn't win, had a player sent off for                        violent conduct and he didn't like it.
ii) Patrick Viera, not learning his lesson and 'geed' up by Wenger adopts                       an entirely unreasonable attitude in the next game, behaves like a                       'headless chicken' is sent off again and wants us all to feel sorry for                        him.
iii) In their third game which they win, they are full of praise for the                      opposition. Was this because Charlton lay down and allowed                       themselves to be trampled on?

The laws of football are clear and players should stick to them. Players and managers must realize that the laws of the game are designed to organise the activity on the pitch, without them it would be mayhem. However certain people just cannot stomach that very basic principal, and so they try to bully people and intimidate officials in order that they can achieve what they seek. Nowadays officials are given to standing in the center circle at the end of a game in order that the security staff can clear the tunnel since the moment they step out of the public eye the 'bully boys' are waiting for them.

Let's not get swept away in all of this hysteria. Let's show some respect for match officials. True, in the course of a season, certain decisions will undoubtedly go against us, but let's retain some dignity, let's show some good manners, let's just get on with the game.

The laws of the game clearly state that they are implemented by the match officials and that their implementation is always 'in the opinion of the official'. The referee therefore is right even when we think he is wrong.
In the Premiership I have never seen a referee or assistant referee give any decision that he (or she) didn't think was right. How could I? How many times have match officials confounded the slow motion action replays? Such activity should stop, let's talk about the actual football instead of technicalities.
It's a sad reflection on society when prominent role models in the most popular sport in the world challenge decisions so vehemently. It is entirely irresponsible. Do they ever stop and wonder what messages they are giving out to the youth of the country?
Do they think that their behaviour might be having a negative and destructive effect?

So come on let's play the game, for that is what it is.
Ask yourself some basic questions.
How many players will retire and become referees?
How many managers have been referees?
The answer to both these questions is sadly……….none.
Why?
Money !!!!!!!!!
They're all millionaires.

I was delighted to note that our manager Peter Taylor was something of a lone voice in all of this….he doesn't condone this behaviour……..he respects the laws of the game……..quite right too.