As the tedious international period enters its second arduous week, those fans who have been longing for the return of competitive, blood and thunder club football have been comforted and occupied somewhat, with events in France.

Although the sport on show wasn’t quite the beautiful game, the Rugby World Cup has encompassed nearly all of the values which football fans love and appreciate, while more significantly handing out a much-needed lesson of sportsmanship, respect and professionalism to all those involved with its round-ball contemporary.

The passion, power and skill displayed on the fields of Saint Denis, Marseilles and Paris has been remarkable, exciting all lovers of the game as well as attracting scores of new fans to the sport. What has been equally, if not more impressive, has been the conduct of the players throughout the competition. Their behaviour on the field has been almost impeccable and further highlights the current behavioural and attitude problems that exist in football.

'The combination of extreme wealth and extraordinary adulation from the public gives footballers a sense of infallibility'


For too long now, the on-field antics of footballers, particularly towards referees, has been unacceptable and often out of control. Unfortunately, scenes such as the one witnessed at Old Trafford last month when England captain John Terry grabbed the hand of referee Mike Dean in an attempt to prevent him showing his team mate a red card, are not uncommon. Not a game goes by without the man in the middle being the subject of serious dissent and intimidation from an often overpaid supposed “role model”.

Another significant and worrying element is that this situation is occurring throughout all levels of the game and involving all players, with the most high-profile stars often slinging torrents of abuse at the referee most ferociously and frequently. Suffice to say that such behaviour is almost non-existent on the rugby field and if it were to rear its ugly head then it would surely not be tolerated.

What makes the contrast between the two sports more intriguing and amusing, is the sheer size and might of the 30 sportsmen, who conduct themselves like angels in comparison to the often slight and meeker figures of the 22 who are often so full of rage.

The likes of French man-mountain Sebastien Chabal and England’s Lawrence Dallaglio could crush a referees skull with a mere flick of the wrist. In fact an icy stare or a stern word from warriors of their ilk would send most men, referees or not, running for cover. Yet they accept decisions, even ones which come at the most crucial of times, with good grace, and simply trot back and ready themselves for another assault. What this enables to occur is a match dictated by sheer skill, passion and guts, an 80-minute war devoid of much of the controversy, anger and ill-will which often surrounds and engulfs 90-minute encounters on the football field.

Footballers in general are paid far more then their rugby counterparts. This not only makes their shameful behaviour harder to accept, but could also be seen as one of the reasons why the game's unhealthy predicament exists, especially within the upper-echelons of the sport.

The combination of extreme wealth and extraordinary adulation from the public gives footballers a sense of infallibility and divine right. Many have allowed themselves to believe the hype that they can do no wrong and that their self-worth and importance to the sport and public life in general, makes them untouchable.

This attitude is naturally taken onto the pitch, the place where their ‘’great'’ names were made, and they will not be told what to do, what is right, and what is wrong. Rugby players on the other hand are not exposed to the same level of cash, celebrity and worship, and in turn they seem better equipped at keeping their feet on the ground.

This problem is nothing new. But the pulsating and dramatic Rugby World Cup has held up a candle to a situation which should no longer be allowed to fester and distract us from the beautiful side of the world’s favourite sport. The Rugby World Cup will end next week and the bread and butter of domestic football will return. Let’s hope the footballing powers will act, ensuring that in four years' time, when the world’s eyes descend upon the rugby field once more, football will have nothing to be ashamed of.

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