FOOTBALL, like in most sport, brings out the best and the worst in people.
Emotions run high and passions come to the fore. Football matches often result in emotional relief for spectators as they are heavily invested directly or indirectly in a specific match.
Football, not being a high-scoring game, naturally creates tensions among players and spectators as the contest is decided by the narrowest of margins and often in the last moments of a game.
It is not unusual for people to become fanatic about their chosen sport, and football is probably one of the most supported sports on the globe and gets the most media coverage. Regrettably more often than not the negative aspects of the game are highlighted.
Like in all competitive sport, there will be teasing of defeated opponents and this sadly leads to a reaction and at times violence both on and off the field of play.
These actions are irrational, immature and antisocial. Certainly unacceptable.
Football clubs are held responsible for the conduct of their players and their supporters and this is a form of deterrent as it is hoped that supporters would not want to harm their club.
Football administrators establish rules of competition which are overseen by referees on field and a judicial group who determine penalties and sanctions for any indiscretions.
Large security presence is clearly seen at professional matches but at local amateur levels clubs rely on the behaviour of their players and spectators.
One of the most feared and difficult to control issues is that of ground invasions after or even during a game. Crowd disorder, and unsportsmanlike behaviour is not acceptable and is not worth the consequences to individuals and clubs.
Local clubs simply cannot afford the cost of an army of security personnel to protect the playing perimeter from crowd access, so they rely on the crowd’s common sense. Fanatical supporters sometimes called “Ultras” create the spectacle at any sport venue. Club supporters bring a great atmosphere to games.
Inter-club rivalries also contribute to the excitement but nothing is better than seeing players and referees shaking hands after a game, and supporters showing their encouragement through cheers and songs bellowing from the stands, not from inside the playing area.
REMEMBER: Players, coaches, supporters, administrators, referees all come and go – but football is forever.
