The beautiful game ..?

DISRESPECT and cheating is rife in football and it needs to change. In football cheating happens in every game – fighting, dirty challenges and diving alongside many other illicit activities.

Cheating most commonly happens when there is a rivalry – this is often between two teams who are near each other.

For example, the south coast

derby between Pompey and Southampton, above, the Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton, and the Manchester derby.

Dirty challenges often end up in at least one player getting hurt or very badly injured.

Players can be out for months at a time as a result.

Admittedly most people do think that all the injuries received are from illegal challenges but last season over 15 per cent of injuries came from celebrations! Football should be a family sport for all ages to play and everyone to enjoy watching together. Sadly, there are a minority of fans, and even some players, who disrespect these athletes.

Football should be a family sport for all ages to play and everyone to enjoy watching together

People who call themselves fans have committed atrocious acts such as throwing bananas at the black players on the pitch.

There is absolutely no space for this in football or any sport.

Whilst governing bodies have been handing out lifetime bans, it is also down to players and supporters to keep up football’s status as ‘The beautiful game’ by remembering what this sport is all about.

ARCHIE SIMMONS