I do not believe either incident involved Lokomotiv, however the club will stress that this is a friendly league and no incidents of this kind will be tolerated. Let's continue to ensure that we as a club always set a good example, as we have in the past, and let us continue that trend in the future.
Thanks, Loko.
3 comments:
The racial abuse of the ref is really disgusting. I hope the league takes appropriate measures against the offending player.
As for the player striking an opposition member, unfortunate and unsavoury though it is, it's no great surprise.
I like to see myself as fairly calm and objective but, last Sunday, one of the opposition decided to start making abusive comments following a foul on a Loko player and it pissed me off. Firstly, the comment was unwarranted. Secondly, it came from a pubescent chav with a whispy layer of bum-fluff stuck to his face. Not that that's got anything to do with it but it didn't help. I spent the next 70-odd minutes fantasizing about breaking his legs.
I didn't, of course. I would be disappointed with myself if I did anything like that. You rise above the petty nothings of this world even if they don't seem so petty at the time – even if it would be really satisfying to make them eat their words. And their teeth.
But we live in strange times, times of frustration, uncertainty, insecurity and aggression. People seem to be charged with negativity from their everyday lives. It doesn’t take much to push people over the edge, whether it’s a car that cuts you up on the road, or a guy narking you on a football pitch – the more physical players who play a little too enthusiastically, the lippy players who wind people up (and then there’s Steve Whiteley who falls into both categories). If you think that every action causes a reaction, and that both actions and reactions during a match are boosted by adrenalin and testosterone, there’s bound to be some shit flying somewhere.
I’m not condoning the incidents but I'm saying that things can only get better if we all do our bit as individuals - to leave frustrations at home, and be sporting and fair. I'd use the word "gentlemanly" but I don't think it has much place in football. Nevertheless, it's everyone's responsibility to make sure that the games are played in the right spirit.
The player who struck the opponent has been given a two game ban. As far as we are aware they are still trying to ascertain from the Referee's report which player it was that was racially abusive.
Why was the player not sent off and his name known? It is strange, but I'm sure the League will deal with it in the appropriate way.
As you said Nick, let us at Loko all try and play the game in a sporting and fair manner.
The player who was racially abusive to the referee has now been identitfied and below is the leagues stance on this incident:
"Just want to update on the racial abuse incidence - I have since spoken with the manager of the team concerned - the player in questioned had already been reprimanded by the team itself, banning him from the team altogether - which again, is condonable and which pleases me immensely. The player was a new player to our league, which is no excuse, but which means I would like to allow him a chance to redeem himself... I stated the reasons in the blog below.
The result is that I have set a 4 week ban (obviously, the next false step would ban him for good), and asked that he apologies in writing to the referee as well as in person. The manager himself would like the latter to take place. I hope the player will play ball if you pardon the pun.
I hope you will accept my decision.
And thank you to the manager for his help and support in this matter."
Post a Comment