The Sports
Psychology Blog
This Sports Psychology blog comes as Sol Campbell speaks out against terrace abuse in football.
Football: Sol Campbell - The Root Of Abuse
So
Sol Campbell and others have spoken out against the abuse players
and managers currently receive from the terraces. Which is understandable.
The kind of comments made to Norwich City manager Glenn Roeder, about
his brain tumour are not acceptable.
But perhaps the players should look to themselves first. Themselves as the solution. Look at their own behaviour. Behaviour towards referees and assistants. Intimidation. Disrespect. Dishonesty. Verbal abuse. Contempt.
Is it any surprise they attract exactly what they give out? Be the change you want to be in the world. Ghandi said. Perhaps, Sol Campbell could address his remarks to within his profession.
Say - it's time we cleaned up our act. Upheld our own code of honour. Starting with this player. This football club. We will not abuse officals. We will have a code that informs our behaviour towards them. Players and managers. That way we cannot stand accused of hypocrisy.
Maybe then, players and managers will no longer be a target for abuse. If you don't carry it, you can't be a magnet for it. It's the first rule of change. If you see something you want to change in the world, change it in yourself first. Can the world of professional football rise to this mindset?
