Respect and Football: The Long Lost Connection...

Roma's defender Philippe Mexes has been suspended for three games because of "insulting a match official" in Roma's Serie A clash against Siena.

This is not the first time that we have seen players crossing the limit.

Time and again, we have players like Wayne Rooney and John Terry swearing at referees; don't get me wrong, I'm all for exuding positive energy and aggression, but crossing the limit is not on!

Thanks to Maire for the reminder. Do I need to go back for Ashley Cole's "turn your back" game with Mike Riley last season? Disgraceful!

From the days of Roy Keane being a "Ref's nightmare" to the days of Fernando Torres laying down his law, respect seems lost...

I have nothing against Torres, or any other player, for that matter; "El-Nino," as he's called, oozes talent, but if anybody watched him in Liverpool's victory over Everton in which he scored twice, you'd notice the Spaniard has learnt his fair share of English, which, if I might add, was effectively used to hurl an unnecessary abuse at the man in charge—the cause, a just off-side decision.

I'm not being bitter, from racism to respect, I'm highlighting certain unethical portions of the game that need to be scrutinized. It's about time to look beyond "News Bites"—I'm only kidding...

The main issue here is how to tackle this situation. AC Milan's Gennaro Gattuso, one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, doesn't really symbolize respect in football; Marco Matterazi probably doesn't have any clue what football means, and I'm not referring to the Zidane headbutt (get over it).

I can sympathize with the referees. The only problem I have with the introduction of technology in football (goal-line technology, off-side hawk-eye, etc.) is that referees will lose power, losing power will mean a loss of respect, and this might lead to morality being lost, and humanity thereafter...

It's about time, something has to be done...but what?

PS: I've been away from the football scene for a while; I had no clue the FA had launched a "Respect" campaign. I just came across of a couple of articles by Alex Dimond and Shyam and read some interesting points. Anyway, what a coincidence...