As someone who admires sportsmanship and fairplay....?

Question

Why does football seem to attract so many cheats, divers, actors and "mamby pandies"? Whatever happend to "the beautiful game"?

Answer 1

Many reasons, most of the cheats and divers are foreign players, like all walks of life, ppl are influenced by those around them, go back a few years when there were not many foreign players with there temperamental attitudes, Nobby Stiles, Chopper Harris, Steve macman ( you know the one he played for Liverpool), Jack Charlton, Billy "snipe your ankles" Bremner, you can rattle the names off, try to match these characters with to-days players !!!
Another reason is , the rule makers of the game and the inconsistent referees, The best example I can give you is Rugby Why ?. A referee makes a decision against a 6ft second row forward, mostly they except the decision, should they argue and the ref gives a further 10 yard penalty, its not in the teams interest to argue and be penalised, another reason is the siting of players, were they can be punished after the game on video evidence for any foul play or unsporting behaviour missed by the officials. which leads quite nicely into my final point, all officials in Rugby are able to recommend if a player should be send off or similar punishment,
The game is a sport for sportsman, not premadonnas, the sooner they return to the real values of sport the better, the officials from the top right down to the minor leagues must apply a consist ant and fair standard of disciplines, IL get off my soap box now ( sorry to go on but I'm as passionate as you about the game I loved)

Answer 2

Since WC 2006 I have given up hope on the sport. The diving and crying just makes me want to throw my TV at the wall. These guys get paid millions to take dives, fake cry, and cheat. What a crock of BS. That Italy vs USA game was a disgrace. Two players get tossed and the Italians still can't beat the sorry US squad even after a US goal is called back for GT interference. LOL I thought the Italians were supposed to be champs. Not in my book. Not when they cheat, and can't even finish off a US team that is down 2 men.

Anyways, I try to catch some MLS when the season is on. Atleast they don't dive and whine like some Euro soccer pansies that have yet to take their diaper off.

Answer 3

I also admire sportsmanship and fairplay...It's always great to see players helping their opponents up off the ground or giving them a pat on the back.

But, unlike you, I still see soccer as a beautiful game, even with the diving and cheating. To me, things are beautiful because they are real. They're not perfect in every way and they still have their flaws. But, the whole process of life, stuggles, overcoming struggles, achievements, grief, etc are all beautiful when they are put together to form life. With soccer, even though cheating/diving is bad and I don't like when it happens, the game is still beautiful to me.

But I do wish the cheating and diving would stop, although I'm not much going to really complain about it. Have a good day! :)

Answer 4

The game is still beautiful... sure it's a shame that there are cheats and divers, one of the most famous of recent times is Didier Drogba, but he has scored some spectacular goals as well, I think it's just a symptom of a faster, higher pressured, and more exciting game...

Answer 5

I agree.I think all the money that's going around has contributed to all the diving,etc.I still love football,but would like to see refs and the various football associations taje a harder line with blatant cheats,and i don't mean financially,as in the likes of the premiership,that would not be much of a punishment.Long bans for one.

Answer 6

Its down the tube mate,I remember Brian Clough walking the first team a mile into a very hostile fixture at Millwall like a general at the Head of his troops,see that happening now with today's overpaid don't know how lucky they are athletes???

Answer 7

The beautiful game as you put it used to be if you can't get the ball brake their legs trying.
The european influence stopped that.
There has always been cheating it has just become a different way of doing it now.

Answer 8

It was once a mans game, now its full of cheats, you can't put in a good hard tackle without conceding a free kick.

Answer 9

Because nothing else matters nowdays but winning, there's too much money in the game to be lost.

Answer 10

IT DOESNT