The great football stadiums of England - Anfield, Old Trafford, Villa Park, Goodison Park, White Hart Lane and many more are sporting cathedrals and should be treated with a bit of respect.
Bewildering
I was staggered to read an article in
The Daily Mail this week where the Referees' Chief, Mike Riley, admitted Premier League referees turn a blind eye to foul and abusive language during the course of matches.
He explained that there's a difference between someone turning away and swearing at the referee, to using the same language to his face - but I found that distinction absolutely bewildering.
Why would using foul and abusive language in a more casual manner be acceptable rather than in the more confrontational fashion?
The TV cameras these days pick up absolutely everything and my kids play Sunday league football and ape what is going on in the professional game.
So I don't care if a player uses a four-letter word in a casual way or not, it is foul and abusive language; it's a dereliction of referees duty not to book him and for Riley to distend that was, for me, irresponsible.
It's not just the players on Sunday mornings; my kids that play are 13 and 15 but some of the referees are barely any older. Would that be acceptable in Riley's view if a 15-year-old turned round to a 16/17-year-old referee trying to make his way in the game and swore at him?
I just find it absolutely staggering; it's dissent for foul and abusive language and it should be treated as such. You can't say it was said in a certain way so it's okay, it's black or white, it's right or wrong.
If you look at other sports, can you imagine what would happen if in tennis one of the players used a four-letter word at the umpire over his shoulder? It just doesn't happen. In cricket they don't use that kind of language at the umpire because they know it wouldn't be acceptable and it shouldn't be in football either.
I must admit my language is very bad indeed, but when I watch my kids play football on a Sunday morning would I use a four letter word? No, of course not. I went to Newport v Hartlepool last Friday and was frustrated we were losing, but did I use a four letter word then? No, of course I wouldn't.
Riley talks about the pressure of the situation but these guys are earning £100,000 a week; a lot of people would love that sort of pressure and I'm sure they could cope with it without resorting to foul and abusive language.
Jeff's Gem of the Week
It was a last-minute goal that gave Northampton the win over Fleetwood in League Two last weekend and the goal was an absolute gem. Luke Norris, who is on loan from Brentford, showed a brilliant level of technique in what is the fourth tier of English football with his free-kick from just outside the box.
It was a superb strike over the wall but I'm even more pleased for Aidy Boothroyd, who is a mate of mine. He took a big risk when he stepped down to League Two, a lot of people were surprised, but he did a great job at Northampton last year and got them to the play-off final. It has taken a long time to get over that hangover but he is a top, top man and I'm absolutely delighted for him.
