Comments on: FA to ban swearing? – #### off!

By: Ahmed Bilal

Ahmed Bilal — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 07:27:06 +0000

I think the ruling is designed to prevent abuse directed towards referees (and perhaps opposition players in the future) if it crosses a certain line.

Call the ref a wanker once, shame on you, call him a wanker again and shame on him for not booking you.

By: BD Condell

BD Condell — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 04:30:17 +0000

Agree with Andrei…a complete nonsense idea.

Finally a topic that everyone can agree on!!

By: Andrei

Andrei — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 15:47:31 +0000

It is tottaly amazing that they want to eliminate abusive language toward referees, but to try and eliminate it from the game altogether is tottaly ridiculous.

How is VDS going to get his messgae acorss to Rio if he cannot say “get the ****er behind you”? Is he going to get sent off if he says that? Is Rooney going to get sent off if he says “Oy ####!” after missing a good chance?

Then there is the problem with defining abusive/foul language. Is ‘prick’ or ‘idiot’ abusive language? Is ‘fag’ abusive language (in North America specifically it means something different from cigarettes, suffice to say)?

Using abusive language toward a referee or even towards the opposition should be banned, but you cannot and should not prevent Moyes from yelling “Shite! Shite! Shite! Mark you man, Lescott!!!”

Everybody should be able to say whatever the #### they want to if it is not insulting!

By: Hugo Steckelmacher

Hugo Steckelmacher — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:32:52 +0000

Totally agree, Graham.

Fergie is talking bull**** (sorry, couldn’t resist the ironically used expletives) when he effects a separation between the amateur and professional game. The fact is that the professionals have a far greater responsibility to act accordingly since their actions are aped worldwide.

What’s more, the difference between swearing at someone and swearing at no-one in particular (at yourself?) should not be discounted. The problem is that perhaps only a blanket ruling will actually be succesful in wiping out the problem.

By: iqnadirshah

iqnadirshah — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 12:00:40 +0000

Yeah right………….Like its going to happen………
Telling footballers not to abuse. It’ll be easier to stage the 39th game outside England…………

By: Aiden Perkins

Aiden Perkins — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 11:51:02 +0000

I can’t see this taking off seriously. I realise abusive language is out of order when directed at an official but what about swearing at your own or other players? is that not OK on occasion?? I think that’s a grey area and anyone who has played the game to a decent level would agree I’m sure?