Football’s Going ‘Twit For Tat’
Remember the days when you were able to go down the pub and see your favourite player in there, pull up a pew next to him and have a hearty chat about his recent performances or your club’s fortunes? No, me neither.
It is something of a lasting myth that before footballers became millionaire playboys, single-handedly running Africa’s diamond mines perilously low on stock, they were approachable, average people who you could sit and converse with if you were to see them in the street. How’s the kids? How’s the wife? Where does the gaffer buy his tweed caps?
Perhaps dramatically tinted by nostalgia, yet remaining at least partially accurate; there was a time when footballers were a bit more ‘human’. Though always elevated above the rest of society, they were largely devoid of the ridiculously inflated egos and isolationist attitudes of the modern player; point being, you could talk to them, and they would talk back.
Strangely, we now converse with players more than at any point in footballing history, all thanks to the wonders of Twitter. The social media site has brought footballers back from the realms of reticence and into the public sphere once more – for better or for worse?
There is little doubt that Twitter is a wonder for player/fan interaction, allowing players to be as engrossed or as withdrawn from this synergy as they choose. Communication between players can also be absorbingly entertaining and provides unique insights into a world once kept from public gaze. Yet there lives a darker, more sinister relationship between twitter and football which is becoming an increasing dilemma in the game.
Whilst a million and one cases could be cited of Twitter’s adverse influence in football (ahem, Joey Barton), let’s pick up on just a few cases to keep things compact.
Firstly, though the case of Ched Evans was consistently pursued by the media, what was not so blatantly examined was the reaction of Evans’ fellow pros upon news of his conviction. Striker Dean Morgan, at the time on loan at Oxford from Chesterfield, tweeted a series of comments implying that Evans’ victim was “fame hungry” and the guilty party. After a barrage of abuse (particularly from his own fans) Morgan removed the comments and apologised, yet the mishap was all too ravaging. Torquay United striker Rene Howe also came out in support of Evans with words in similar effect.
In similar fashion, Nile Ranger and Federico Macheda were recently fined for homophobic slurs, whilst former Football League stalwart Lee Steele was dismissed from Oxford City for comments made towards openly gay rugby star Gareth Thomas. Not only were the players running a legal gauntlet with their comments, but also portrayed themselves as morally reprehensible human beings in the process.
On the other hand, as a mutual system Twitter also brings up the prospect a players being subjected to vile, unwarranted abuse. Though largely void of any serious misuse, the instances that do occur raise lingering questions as to the positive value of Twitter in the football world. Stan Collymore has been the victim of racial abuse as has James Perch of Newcastle with both leading to police investigations, not to mention the case of Liam Stacey’s abhorrent actions in relation to Fabrice Muamba.
More recently, Louis Saha and Steven Pienaar felt the wrath of Spurs fans upon merely congratulating Chelsea on their Champions League victory. Not the smartest of moves, but their comments did not justify the sheer ferocity of abuse endowed upon them. In much the same way, Ian Wright was forced to apologise to Arsenal fans after brandishing them ‘mugs’ for openly chastising Ashley Cole.
Then there is the mundane. As I type, Danny Graham has informed me he’s waiting for a flight. Torquay defender Lee Mansell has just been congratulated by his child “doing a no2 on the big toilet” whilst Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is shamelessly promoting his new website. All well and good, but the ratio of educated observation to senseless banality makes you question the true worth of Twitter.
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Though a wonderfully accessible medium when used in the correct fashion, the unregulated and anarchical nature of Twitter leaves footballers, their clubs and fans alike in perilous territory. Footballers with true insight are embraced by followers and give unparalleled access into a previously hidden world. Too often, however, footballers seem to lose their professional conscience and broadcast their horribly misguided views to thousands, even millions, whilst players are left highly vulnerable to appalling abuse in return.
Unless players greater comprehend their responsibilities or increased policing of Twitter’s open highways is introduced, the relationship between Twitter and football will remain thorny, highly contentious and precariously volatile. Is it time to tackle Twitter once and for all?
Ironically, if you want to discuss any of these points or simply enjoy berating people on Twitter, catch me @acherrie1
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