Verbal Abuse from Spectators

As a spectator of football I’m often exposed to the verbal abuse that comes from people in the crowd towards things on the pitch. Personally it doesn’t bother me; it’s all part and parcel of the game. Being at a sports event does strange things to people, many seem to build up the week’s frustrations and vent them in the open air. In recent weeks there has been debate on Norwich City message boards about booing the team. I’m pretty much on the fence with it. If people want to do in order to voice their disapproval then they every right to do so. Even more so at football games nowadays. If you pay £45 to see a concert then you’re expecting a good show and you ...  Read the complete review

Hi 21/08/02 what is spectator abuse, well at some time during everyones life they are subject to abuse. But how many of us take verbal abuse seriouse enough to do something aboutit,I am secretary of a local football clubin mylocal community,and also a manager of under 11 side.When Ifirst took over the club the thing that stood out was the way individual players within the team spoke to one another, I found it not only to be insulting but very disruptive to the team.With the help of the other managers in the club we have been able to eradicate all of this type of unsociable behaviour within one season. My point is that ...  Read the complete review

THE PLAYERS LEAVE THE PITCH FEELING DEJECTED AFTER THEIR DEFEAT, THEY KNOW THEY GAVE IT THEIR BEST SHOT BUT NO MATTER HOW HARD THEY TRIED, THERE WAS ALWAYS GOING TO BE ONE OR TWO FROM THE CROWD SHOUTING ABUSE AND LOWERING CONFIDENCE. ARE THEY REAL FOOTBALL SUPPORTERS? ARE THEY THEIR JUST TO STAND, SHOUT AND CRITICE? SHOULD THEY SIT, BE CALM AND BE PATIENT AND IN TIME RESULTS WILL PROSPER IF HE SHOUTS ENCOURAGEMENT? SUPPORTER OR A LIABILITY? This topic came of a great interest to me because I personally have felt the impact of verbal abuse from supporters having a negative influence on my team. It doesn’t really matter what I think at a match, ...  Read the complete review

This is actually a topic that I know a thing or two about because I was a baseball umpire once. I tell you, I do not like how fans act, they need to understand that no matter how they feel about the umpire's calls or judgment that man (or woman) is still the ultimate authority on the field and must be treated with dignity and respect, lest the game fall into complete shambles. To me it is like a divine right to rule, God put the umpires there, and we must honor and obey them. Anybody who contests the impartial and fair judgement of a referee is unamerican and probaly should go live in Russia. As long as an umpire is impartial and consistent for both teams people, ...  Read the complete review

Having written an op full of praise for Jamie Carragher he promptly proceeded to get himself sent off at Highbury amidst controversial circumstances. He quickly apologised for letting "the club (Liverpool), the fans, my team-mates and myself down". He continued "No matter what the physical or verbal provocation, I shouldn't have reacted like that I would like to apologise for any offence caused". The incident in question, occurred midway through the second half. Already down to 10 men after Martin Keown had been sent off for a professional foul, Arsenal were reduced to 9 men when Dennis Bergkamp was sent off for aiming a kick at ...  Read the complete review