Dida’s Theatrics vs Player Safety - What Should We Look At?
A week ago, at Celtic Park, a most ridiculous thing happened during Celtic’s Champions League match with Milan.
Shortly after Celtic scored the winning goal, an overwhelmed Celtic fan by the name of Robert McHendry, dashed onto the pitch towards Milan goalkeeper Dida, made physical contact with him and then ran away. Dida gave chase only to collapse inexplicably moments later holding the side of his face.
Now pitch invasion is no laughing matter. A streaker who prances about like a fancy pony is one thing; a fan who invades the pitch and makes actual physical contact is a different thing altogether. I was sincerely worried, because having just watched Eastern Promises, I thought Dida might, however unlikely it is, actually have been slashed at the throat.
But he wasn’t. After watching numerous replays, it became evident that the overexcited fan merely touched him across the shoulder.
Fast forward a week and UEFA are investigating the matter. Although Milan have decided not to press charges and wisely so may I add, Celtic are still likely to be charged on the grounds of “lack of organization and improper conduct of supporters”. On the other hand, Dida will probably face some sort of punishment for simulation.
While Dida’s actions are indeed unforgivable, I’m somewhat disturbed by the way the media chose to portray the incident. The over-emphasis on Dida’s theatrics masks the real problem at hand here and that is the safety of players.
The possibility of something serious happening to Dida is not a product of my over-active imagination, but rather a recollection of something horrible that happened to Monica Seles 14 years ago. You see, on April 30, 1993, a deranged tennis fan ran onto the tennis court in a middle of a game and stabbed Monica Seles in the back, between her shoulder blades, with a steak knife.
The thought that someone might do the same in a football match might seem far fetched, but if you think about it, a real possibility. Given the sheer number of football fans and the size of stadia, the likelihood that someone successfully sneaks a weapon in is fairly high, no matter how tight or prudent security might be. And if this were so, imagine what it’ll be like if some crazed fan managed to sneak in with a steak knife and then dashed onto the pitch, brandishing the knife and with the intention of causing grievous bodily harm.
By no means, am I trying to vindicate Dida’s actions. What he did was unsportsmanlike, disgraceful even, but consider for a moment, what if he was really viciously attacked? What if Dida really got stabbed or slashed instead of getting tapped on the shoulder? Imagine that for a moment if you will. The papers, tabloids, news sites, will all be singing a different tune.
What I’m trying to bring bring to attention here is the very real risks that a player’s life is exposed to. The media’s over-emphasis on Dida’s play-acting is missing the point and is, quite frankly, shallow.
The 2008 Soccerlens Awards: Nominate Your Favourite Football Sites Here
I wouldn’t be too worried about this Kenny. After the many tragedies involving the death of a player on a football field (in the last decade: Marc-Vivien Foé, Miklós Fehér, and recently Antonio Puerta), people will always give players the benefit of the doubt. There is no way the paramedics or first aid officers will think, after a player was attacked, that he is play-acting. That kind of judgment will be reserved in the post-game discussion room, with plenty of video footage available.
As for fans of the opposing team, that’s another story. But fortunately, they aren’t the ones providing the first aid.
Hi Marco, I agree totally that given what has happened in recent times, players should always be given the benefit of the doubt and hence treatment. But what I’m trying to point out here is the severity and seriousness of a fan invading the pitch during play. There is no telling what the fan’s intentions are and what might be in his/her pocket.
if it had been a celtic (or any other British team player)that was attacked then the media would be singing a different tune. yes the reaction would have been different from the player. but the media would be asking for the team that the supporter supported to be kicked out of europe or the team have to play behind closed doors. Dida must fear for his safty now at every european game remember when he was hit by a flair against Inter.
The thing is uefa don’t no what to do anyway they fined Celtic £25,000. but Celtic only have to pay half now and the other half if they misbehave again in the next two years. Celtic will not apeal against this fine, why would they, they must be laughing their heads off at how lucky they are.
Fines need to be bigger if this type of thing is to be taken seriously
kenny wot Dida did was shamefull in my view. dont get me wrong wot the celtic fan did was way wrong and he should and is being punised, but Dida, i think did more damage to football than the celtic fan did and he alone brought shame to himself and his team…. have a nice day
UpeyKAKA, Dida tryed it on and got caught i think u should worry more about that and disgraceing himself and his team,
as for the fan who ran on to the pitch,he got wot was comeing to him maybe Dida should change his name to Dodo
have a nice day