FIFA President Sepp Blatter, in an interview suggested that he would have supported an England walkout over the racist abuse thrown at the coloured players in England stripes during the recent not-so-friendly match against Spain. I am not sure that this is the way to build bridges with the English if recent comments by Blatter are anything to go by.
Condoning a walkout is stupid at best, and sets a regrettable precedence. It tells players that they can take justice into their own hands and almost castrates the effectiveness of the FIFA dsicipline committee. I use the word almost because Mr Blatter would surely not let that happen - at least not on purpose. Otherwise how could he penalise players (or not) at a whim and fancy?
If racial abuse is justification for a walkout, how about personal abuse? Where do we draw the line? Imagine Wayne Rooney walking out of a Manchester derby because City fans call him Shrek?? If anyone should have the authority to order a walkout, it would have to be the unbiased and well-trained referee - supposing there is such a thing (referring to the latter quality!). And even so, it should be at a point where hostilities are deemed to border on dangerous. Arbitrary no doubt, but isn't it better than putting the decision in the hands of 22 adrenaline pumped young men and their managers??
What is apparent is the presence of double standards in the game and the ability of the powers that be to manipulate this to their own advantage. Whether it is bigoted coaches, racist fans, delinquent drug test-ees or over vehement managers, these problems are not new, and if FIFA does not have a standard procedure in addressing such issues, perhaps it is them that are drug induced.
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