ANOTHER VOICE murray swart Show some self-respect

ANY AND all acts of violence committed against football players who are returning from the Fifa World Cup need to be condemned in every way.

Well, with the exception of some long overdue corporal punishment, but only if administered by the hands of a loved one who is convinced that sometimes ears are ornaments.

The idea that anyone would be willing to kill over a game might be scary, but should not be allowed to deter moms and dads across the globe from asking their prima-donna sons who taught them manners and where did they learn to shout at the ref like that?

Around the world, these rhetorical questions are likely to be asked in an assortment of strange and foreign languages and are sure to be accompanied by something that needs no translating as it echoes at a deafening volume – the silent treatment of a disappointed parent.

I wish I was a world-class footballer, blessed with the talent most can only dream of, offered the opportunity and encouragement to nurture that talent while possessing the willingness to put in the hard work required for the whole world to turn their eyes on me.

That would truly be the life. Sadly for me, I don’t have the talent and never put in the hard work.

I wish I had because I definitely have a great support system that bends over backwards to give me all the opportunities and encouragement I could ask for.

I may never know what it is like to play the beautiful game on the world’s biggest stage, but there is one thing I do know.

If I were ever to get anywhere near that level of greatness and were to use such an opportunity to whinge, scream, fight, sulk, and throw whatever you call a “vloermoer” in Spanish, my support system would most certainly take the first available opportunity to provide further encouragement in the form of dam good wallop ...

After all, I’m never too big for a hiding and I’m sure I’m not the only one.

Every side that took to the field in Russia has or had their star but, in one of the most unpredictable yet thrilling

World Cup finals in history, it has been made abundantly clear that while talent, skill, hard work and perseverance can take you places and can bring you fame, fortune and fans beyond your wildest dreams, they don’t make you a decent human being

They may be admirable characteristics but they don’t necessarily make you an admirable character.

These traits may lead to heroics but they do not necessarily make you a hero.

Even if you are blessed with being the best, an impertinent icon should not ever be viewed as a role-model

Maradona is a football great but a tragedy of a person. As good as he is, or was, at kicking a ball, to this day, he is clearly no Pele.

If there was one example that children should aspire to follow, it would be that of the Japanese, who, upon losing with dignity and exiting the tournament, cleaned up after themselves and thanked their hosts for having them.

These are the actions of wellraised children that their parents can be truly proud of and guess what?

Nobody got hurt, threatened, assaulted or insulted in the process.

They may not have earned the trophy but the truth is they actually won the World Cup in many other ways.