Football, Was It Ever A Gentleman's Game?

In the era of controversies, scandals, rip-off's and saga's, it's worth asking the question, "Will football ever be gentleman's game again?"

That's not the real mind boggling question, now is it? "Was football ever a gentleman's game in the first place?"

When the lure for money overrides club loyalty, integrity and dignity, when fame is a higher priority then glory, you know it's not a gentleman's game anymore.

When diving in the box to earn a penalty, which may help the side win the game and the league is worth risking your image, you know it's not a gentleman's game anymore.

When referee's are degraded, insulted or victimised because of media pressure and hype created by supporters, it's not a gentleman's game anymore.

When players are charged with assault and affray and land behind the bars, they ask the supporters to "forgive and forget" but you know it's not a gentleman's game anymore.

When racism can be used as a tactic or a strategy to strike or play mind games with the opponent, you know it's not a gentleman's game anymore.

When "slaves" start earning five to six millions pounds a year, when "slaves" are found "sun tanning" in Los Angeles, shying away from all the questions, you know it's not a gentleman's game anymore.

When hypocrites play their own games for personal pleasure as the world looks on, you know it's not a gentleman's game anymore.

I'm not targeting anybody, I'm not naming anybody, I'm not pointing any fingers.

There were days when the likes of Paulo Maldini, Francescco Totti and Paul Scholes would be saluted for club loyalty and would be admired for being loyal servants of their clubs.

Long before the days of Maradona, Pele, Di Stefano and Cruyff, was football ever a gentleman's game.