Cod Almighty | Diary

Use some imagination? It’s the FA and Football League we're dealing with!

26 July 2022

Trentside Diary writes: "English football comes together to toughen measures addressing fan behaviour at matches." The statement was issued by the FA, Premier League, Football League and the Football Supporters' Association. They are targeting activity such as entering the pitch without permission, carrying or using smoke bombs or pyrotechnics and throwing objects as well as drug use and discriminatory behaviour. Let me state my own position.

Drug use and discriminatory behaviour, yes it's illegal and should be acted on but surely it's society's problem and football is just an easy target for comment at this time. Let's be honest. Certain sections of this country like to have a go at football supporters when what there is "trouble" at other events is just "high jinks".

There is no reason for anything to be thrown onto the pitch. I personally don't like smoke bombs and pyrotechnics but we've chosen to make them illegal. I've been lucky to attend matches abroad and they had an area of the ground where the "Ultras" stood and the flares, smoke bombs and massive flags were part of the atmosphere. Nobody else was overly bothered because it was managed. With a bit of imagination, isn't this an option? Let the youngsters blow off some steam in their own patch!

Traditionally, fans have gone onto the pitch at the end of momentous matches. It happens in other sports. The games at the end of last season where players were swamped were scary. I'd allow a few minutes for players to leave the field and then sound a foghorn for all those who want to run on.

Similarly, there are some numpties who insist on doing zoomies onto the pitch at exciting points. It irritates me as much as when my young labrador does zoomies round the house. It achieves nothing and could cause damage but they obviously feel better for it.

Whatever I think of these issues my annoyance is mainly because of the impact on the reputation of the club. I'm not sure what good toughening sanctions on these individuals and the clubs will do other than losing a few fans. The new owners and everyone else at the club have done an unbelievable job of building up the relationship with supporters. These might only be a handful of fans but do we really want to be automatically banning mainly young lads for their over excitement. Jumping straight to tougher sanctions is a sign of failure and will just turn these fans away from football. I assume that this is what the statement's signatories.

It is littered with tough-sounding words. Where is the suggestion of education in the statement? If you get caught driving over the speed limit you are offered the opportunity to go on a speed awareness course for a first offence. Given most of these offenders are youngsters, shouldn't this be the first action? Chance to learn and reflect but knowing that if it happens again then they will be banned. If the authorities developed something I would happily volunteer to deliver it.

I struggle with a country that reveres the moment Ken Wolstenholme's commentary "Some people are on the pitch! They think it's all over" on a World Cup final but is ratcheting up punishment for the same actions nowadays. Maybe I'm out of step but wouldn't it be wonderful if just one organisation applied a little bit more imagination to an issue.

UTM.