It seems these days that many footballers aren’t content to let their feet do the talking. Until recently, the standard post-match interview has been the vehicle for players to offer us their pearls of wisdom. These tend to be fairly tame affairs generally resulting in “…we’ll take each game as it comes…” responses – hardly revelatory and certainly not incendiary.
How times have changed. Social networking sites have become part of the fabric of modern society for good or ill and many high profile players have taken to tweeting and the like. This has meant that the players can now set the agenda for their interaction with the fans. Whilst many players use this opportunity to continue communicating in a conventional manner, others have courted controversy.
Modern footballers have become increasingly forthright in their views of the beautiful game showing that they are prepared to criticise fellow professionals, managers, referees and club owners publicly via Twitter and Facebook.
It may be an indication of how pervasive “player power” has become in the modern game that a number Premiership stars have raised their heads above the parapet seemingly unconcerned about being reprimanded for doing so. But are they bringing our beloved sport into disrepute? The FA appear to think so. Back in February, they issued the following statement:
“The FA has issued clarification to participants relating to the use of social networking sites, including, but not limited to Twitter, Facebook and internet blogs. Participants should be aware that comments made on such sites may be considered public comment, and that further to FA Rule E3, any comments which are deemed improper, bring the game into disrepute, or are threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting may lead to disciplinary action.
Comments which are personal in nature or could be construed as offensive, use foul language or contain direct or indirect threats aimed at other participants are likely to be considered improper.”
However, the tweets continue to flow despite the warnings and questions remain over how far clubs and, ultimately, the FA are prepared to go in response. This week’s spat involving Joey Barton and the subsequent outcry led him to tweet “I have to take back blatantly calling him [Gervinho] a cheat but he was still looking for a penalty and thankfully the referee knew what he was up to.”
It is clear that the issue of tweeting within football will not go away any time soon and it will be fascinating to see how the powers that be deal with the debate.
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