Rooney's Swearing

[accessory]

I didn't see the point of him swearing into the camera, if he hadn't done it live on TV then there would be no issue.

It's alleged that the Sky cameraman (who ran 30 yards towards him after he scored) asked Rooney to kiss the camera. Rooney's refusal, in fairly forthright terms, was captured for all to see and hear.

A few other points to bear in mind here:

1) The furore about Rooney neatly distracted media attention from several nasty incidents of racist abuse which took place elsewhere in Upton Park on Saturday.

2) The London media is full of Arsenal and Chelsea fans desperately trying to cover their sides' own failings, both in terms of results and discipline.

3) The chairman of the FA is a former chairman of Manchester City.

4) Rooney's suspension rules him out of an FA Cup semi-final - against Manchester City.

[breadandcheese]

It's alleged that the Sky cameraman (who ran 30 yards towards him after he scored) asked Rooney to kiss the camera. Rooney's refusal, in fairly forthright terms, was captured for all to see and hear.

A few other points to bear in mind here:

1) The furore about Rooney neatly distracted media attention from several nasty incidents of racist abuse which took place elsewhere in Upton Park on Saturday.

2) The London media is full of Arsenal and Chelsea fans desperately trying to cover their sides' own failings, both in terms of results and discipline.

3) The chairman of the FA is a former chairman of Manchester City.

4) Rooney's suspension rules him out of an FA Cup semi-final - against Manchester City.

Where's El Empty to really kick this conspiracy theory into gear.

I think they're right to ban Rooney. Football is a vehicle for helping to change society. Racism would be more rife in our society were it not for football and fans seeing black footballers performing for their teams. Now, when there are racist incidents, they are by a small minority who are vilified by the majority. You only have to look at the Scotland-Brazil game, where before it was established who had thrown the banana, Scottish fans were outraged that one of their own may have thrown the offending item.

So I think the FA are correct to try and change the lack of respect attitude that permeates throughout football and which is evident in society today. There was no need for Rooney to use expletives. It was rude, confrontational and an unpleasant attitude. If the FA can crack down on bad behaviour on the pitch, I'm all for it. If it helps society to consider rude and unpleasant behaviour as unacceptable, then great.

[accessory]

Where's El Empty to really kick this conspiracy theory into gear.

I think they're right to ban Rooney. Football is a vehicle for helping to change society. Racism would be more rife in our society were it not for football and fans seeing black footballers performing for their teams. Now, when there are racist incidents, they are by a small minority who are vilified by the majority. You only have to look at the Scotland-Brazil game, where before it was established who had thrown the banana, Scottish fans were outraged that one of their own may have thrown the offending item.

So I think the FA are correct to try and change the lack of respect attitude that permeates throughout football and which is evident in society today. There was no need for Rooney to use expletives. It was rude, confrontational and an unpleasant attitude. If the FA can crack down on bad behaviour on the pitch, I'm all for it. If it helps society to consider rude and unpleasant behaviour as unacceptable, then great.

So why did the FA take zero action against Ashley Cole?

Shooting someone is far more serious than swearing at them..

[m00nie]

apparently crouch swore in tonights game?? be interesting see what happens there then..

[Jimothy]

apparently crouch swore in tonights game?? be interesting see what happens there then..

Did he swear straight down the camera at millions of viewers?

[m00nie]

Did he swear straight down the camera at millions of viewers?

apparently at the ref and was picked up by the mikes.. not seen in myself.

[Parafox]

Rooney swears so what?

I'll tell you so what... I spend time telling my kids that swearing is wrong, they may know the words but using them, particularly in public or when they can be overheard is unacceptable.

I set an example

Then this OAF (for that is what he is) that they happen to look up to as an example of a talented footballer who they aspire to be like, opens his potty mouth and rips my parenting apart.

THATS why

[Jon the Hat]

So why did the FA take zero action against Ashley Cole?

Shooting someone is far more serious than swearing at them..

I must have missed that footage? Did he do it on TV?

An accident, albeit a stupid one, is rather different from deliberately swearing into a camera knowing damn well that tens if not hundreds of millions of people are watching. Rooney is a arrogant, angry man who has no respect for those who give him his very comfortable life. It amazes me that people will slag of the rich but accept this kind of behaviour from the likes of Rooney. He might as well spits it your kids faces for gods sake.

Horrible man, should be banned for at least 4-5 matches. Until clubs start to feel the pain of losing valuable players for their behaviour, they wont discipline their players for that. I also suggest a new rule so players don't get paid for the period of their suspension. That might do the trick.

[The Doctor]

Nice to see the FA are still capable of being massive ****ing hypocrites - Rooney audibly swore at a camera during the world cup, the FA didn't punish him for that though, i wonder why.

[breadandcheese]

apparently crouch swore in tonights game?? be interesting see what happens there then..

To be honest, if Crouch swore at the referee, when sent off, then he should be banned for an extra game. The precedent was set for Drogba last season and should be carried through.

[breadandcheese]

So why did the FA take zero action against Ashley Cole?

Shooting someone is far more serious than swearing at them..

You're taking something completely unrelated and trying to apply it to this situation.

The incident with Cole and the employee at Chelsea has a basis in criminal law and employment law. It is no place for the FA to get involved as the laws of the land supercede it. As the employee involved didn't wish to press charges, it meant it became a matter solely governend by employment law. This therefore has nothing to do with the FA.

[ozleicester]

Anyone who says that footballers (or any popular figure for that matter) are role models to their children and is the reason that kids behaviour is poor, is fooling themselves. Children learn the largest percentage of their behaviours from their families, most particularly their PARENTS.

Rooney is a twat, and can be used very effectively as a tool to demonstrate unnaceptable behaviours, but your child wont start swearing coz of him, your child wont mug people... do drugs or become a lazy no hoper because of him. (Unfortunately they also wont become a millionaire footballer coz of him)

They look up to you, you are their greatest role model, do you swear in front of them? do you display violent behaviours? do you drink excessively? do you treat others with respect? (including referees)

[Wycombe Fox]

Anyone who says that footballers (or any popular figure for that matter) are role models to their children and is the reason that kids behaviour is poor, is fooling themselves. Children learn the largest percentage of their behaviours from their families, most particularly their PARENTS.

Rooney is a twat, and can be used very effectively as a tool to demonstrate unnaceptable behaviours, but your child wont start swearing coz of him, your child wont mug people... do drugs or become a lazy no hoper because of him. (Unfortunately they also wont become a millionaire footballer coz of him)

They look up to you, you are their greatest role model, do you swear in front of them? do you display violent behaviours? do you drink excessively? do you treat others with respect? (including referees)

Well said ozleicester.

[breadandcheese]

Anyone who says that footballers (or any popular figure for that matter) are role models to their children and is the reason that kids behaviour is poor, is fooling themselves. Children learn the largest percentage of their behaviours from their families, most particularly their PARENTS.

Rooney is a twat, and can be used very effectively as a tool to demonstrate unnaceptable behaviours, but your child wont start swearing coz of him, your child wont mug people... do drugs or become a lazy no hoper because of him. (Unfortunately they also wont become a millionaire footballer coz of him)

They look up to you, you are their greatest role model, do you swear in front of them? do you display violent behaviours? do you drink excessively? do you treat others with respect? (including referees)

Whilst this is true, football can be used to change attitudes. The changing of racist attitudes in society would have not been as effective without the emergence of black footballers competing and playing at the highest levels for teams up and down the country.

There seems to be a prevailing attitude that abusive language is ok these days. Personally, I don't, and clearly from my previous posts would welcome football's attempts to crack down on it.

[m00nie]

Whilst this is true, football can be used to change attitudes. The changing of racist attitudes in society would have not been as effective without the emergence of black footballers competing and playing at the highest levels for teams up and down the country.

There seems to be a prevailing attitude that abusive language is ok these days. Personally, I don't, and clearly from my previous posts would welcome football's attempts to crack down on it.

So do you propose we ban the chants at football?

[MikeyT]

So do you propose we ban the chants at football?

Like "woooooooah twat! You're shit, ahhhhhhhhh"?

[m00nie]

Like "woooooooah twat! You're shit, ahhhhhhhhh"?

idont know that one, must be new..

i was thinking more of " fk of mark mghee oh what can it mean"

[ajthefox]

My parents have always been against swearing while I was growing up and even now, I'll very rarely hear 'Shit' when something goes tits up but they are both late fifties so they were brought up at a time way different to now and I've never heard anything more.

I remember swearing being common language at school from the age of about 10, and I went to a decent school in a nice area.

I only ever went to city with my dad until I was about 15/16 when I started going with mates, but I wouldn't swear in front of him.

My parents would not be happy with my day to day language but it's common for someone my age to have to tame down their language infront of certain audiences and I know a few mates who can get away with a lot more than I can.

Point being the chances are your kids will swear whether you like it or not. My parents and any family would not appreciate swearing and so I don't swear in front of them because they are people I care about and so being polite etc is important to me.

In public and with mates though, I don't care about my language. Words are words after all and to be honest if you've offended me you've done well. I don't care if I sound common when I'm shouting cvnt at someone at the football because I have no reason to care what the rest of the Walkers thinks of me and neither should anyone.

This whole issue has been blown way out of proportion and I for one hope this ridiculous ban gets over-turned.

[General Smuts]

Dunno what Rooneys moaning about. Neymar got sent off at the weekend for wearing a mask of his own face after he scored.

[Jimothy]

Good article in The Guardian about Rooney's swearing, ban and reaction to it.

Lady Cathy Ferguson may not know as much about football as her illustrious husband, yet she appears to have a better understanding of what is permissible on the pitch.

The Manchester United manager has revealed that his wife's first reaction, on his return home from the eventful game at West Ham last Saturday, was to inform him that Wayne Rooney was likely to be banned. "She just said: 'They'll do him'," Sir Alex Ferguson said. "I told her they couldn't possibly do him for celebrating, but it turns out she was right."

That is because Mrs Ferguson had been following events on television, rather than being caught up in them at Upton Park. She knew precisely how ugly and unacceptable Rooney's behaviour had looked, because it came straight through the camera lens and into her living room. Others within Manchester United must have reached the same conclusion fairly quickly, because an apology was formulated within hours with a view to damage limitation. This was not just a case of Rooney using industrial language on the pitch, as he has done countless times before.

Mrs Ferguson appreciated that straight away, which is more than can be said for many of the player's defenders. This was not even a case of Rooney moaning swearily at a nearby cameraman as he had done after a disappointing result with England in South Africa. On that occasion Rooney was expressing his disappointment at being booed by his own team's supporters, and whether you agreed with him or not he was entitled to express his point of view. While there are certainly better times and places for communicating with your public than in the immediate aftermath of a poor performance, there would have been no real justification for disciplining Rooney for speaking his mind in Cape Town. If the nation was affronted it was with the football he had produced, not with the reaction afterwards.

One can hardly expect Ferguson to condemn his own player when the FA has already done so, yet if the United manager really thought Rooney was merely "celebrating" then he needs to sit down in front of some uncensored TV footage. If that is how Rooney celebrates, goodness knows what sort of trouble he will get into should he ever become upset about something. The issue the authorities had to deal with was one of a player spotting a TV camera, possibly one that had strayed too close or one whose operator was attempting to choreograph some formulaic celebration, and reacting with visceral displeasure. Never mind for now the argument that players ought to get into as much trouble for verbally abusing a referee as a camera, and ignore for the moment attention-seeking police officers claiming without much corroboration that they lock people up for effing and jeffing in the street. Both those considerations rather miss the point in this case, which is that the camera is not an inanimate object but a direct conduit to the millions of viewers in hundreds of countries that make the Premier League all its money.

Rooney is smart enough to realise that, and for all his talk of being gutted he seems to have been not far behind Mrs Ferguson in working out you cannot get away with insulting the audience, but in the few seconds that mattered at West Ham he found himself in insufficient control of his temper and his emotions.

While the FA are well aware they would have been damned for doing nothing, just as they are being criticised now for being arbitrary and inconsistent, it could usefully take this opportunity to clarify their position and make sure players understand the ground rules in future. They could start by refuting Rooney's disingenuous whinge that he cannot be the first footballer to be caught swearing on TV.

The interface between pitchside camera and player is a relatively new one, certainly in terms of the number of cameras in use and their increasing proximity to protagonists. The fact that such cameras catch players swearing at each other and at the referee is neither here nor there; that sort of thing has been going on since Match of the Day was first broadcast in grainy black and white. Footballers' vocabulary is emphatically not what this fuss has all been about.

The FA simply need to make it clear that they have drawn a distinction between the background noise of a game and what is said, or shouted, directly and purposely to camera. Maybe the cameras ought to back off, though it would be better if players simply behaved themselves. It ought not to be too much to ask, even for a troubled soul such as Rooney, described by his official biographer as a polite, respectful, well-brought-up young man. Hunter Davies was comparing him with another of his subjects, the unrepentantly oafish and free-swearing Paul Gascoigne. If the two most notable English players of the past two decades seemed to be on completely divergent paths just a couple of years ago, they have a little more in common now, namely a capacity for self-destruction.

It is too indulgent to excuse Rooney's behaviour on the grounds that his anger is what make him a great footballer. He has always been a great footballer, even when he used to celebrate goals with a cheeky grin. Whatever is going on in his life at the moment is not feeding his football, it is eating away at him.