Snort The Punishment

Having recently watched the Dispatches programme about drugs in football i was left wandering why there isn't universally equal punishment for those caught using any banned or illegal substance? Also why the guilty never seem to appear in court if that substance is illegal?

Now don't get me wrong there are a lot of situations in the sport and music world where banned drug inclusion would drastically improve the quality on show,  most of 4th division football, crown green bowls and the music of N-Dubz to name just a few examples, yet as they are illegal, they are illegal for everyone. For example, were i to be questioned by a figure of authority over a potential cocaine addiction i would not expect to get away with it by claiming i was under pressure to lose weight for the next home game. I would also not expect my record label to condone it. I would expect to be at a police station if i were caught.

Left: Drugs would probably improve the music made by these cool guys.


So why did the programme not indicate that the players who were caught now have a criminal record? A ban from the sport is the minimum expectation but i would not expect to be solely banned from work if i was caught hitting the bong at lunch time. And why are the bans so short??
In athletics drug cheats are planted with a 2 year ban with no questions asked yet why do football players not only get away with the crime but also only receive a 2-6 month ban.
Rugby players will do very well to escape a 2 year ban if they are caught using drugs, so why is football so soft?

Thankfully the music world do have their druggy pin up boy in Pete Doherty, who has spent more time at her majesties pleasure than most, and this is a good example of the rule applying to everyone, no matter how cute or good you may sound. His band Babyshambles were also dropped by record label Rough Trade. This is what should be done if you get caught!

My other point is about why the footballers crimes are allowed to remain hidden, out of the public eye. The first thing to happen should be the humiliation of the player, as part of their punishment! I assure you that were i to be in charge of any team or individual, they would be immediately feel the repercussions of their ill advised activities.

Finally, why was Rio Ferdinand allowed to mysteriously get away with his drugs test?? He received an 8 month ban for missing the test instead of a possibly 2 year ban for failing it!

There needs to be a rule across all sport, that applies to all and is executed by all. Example set.

Slainte 

Rio Ferdinand 'definitely' didn't take drugs because he plays for Manchester United.

We Want Our Money Back!

Jessie J unfortunately hit the nail on the head with her lyrics "It's all about the money, money, money." From the fee demanded by The Rolling Stones to headline glastonbury, to the cash magnet of cricketers leaving for the IPL, and from the price of a Bob Dylan ticket for his latest stadium tour, to the £400+ million spent over the summer by clubs in the English premier league, money is the only objective driving the people who pull the strings of the music and sport industries. Sport clubs are already the play toys of the super rich and music is following a similar trend, in that artists sign to a record label and then that label can throw them around as they please.

But without us, the punters/fans, both industries would collapse. A fact i think is often forgotten by the men in suits. In order to see the (supposed) best talent of both the music and sport industry we are required to part with vast amounts of our hard earned cash so why should we have to put up with it if the artists/athletes in question are crap?

Last season i was forced to endure watching my beloved football team throw away a 4-1 half time lead to go on and lose 6-4, a remarkable feature, but why should i have to pay for that misery? Surely some compensation would not go amiss and encourage me to come back to another match? A free pie anyone? How about Usain Bolt getting excited and jumping the gun in the final of 100m at the world championships? I was also unfortunate to witness Oasis headline glastonbury in 2004, they performed an awful show at the worlds biggest music festival. People pay an absolute fortune to attend the wonderful festival, but we have to gamble on wether or not the overpaid "star" performer will bother? Where is the free apologetic pint?

Left: Oasis looking crap and sounding crap.


However, maybe a revolution is underway. Arsenal recently got thumped 8-2 by Manchester United, a disgraceful result and even though nearly even seat in the ground was filled by a southerner or cockney it was the small section of Arsenal fans who travelled home embarrassed. In ordinary circumstances the manger would apologise and everyone moves on feeling robbed, yet, correctly in my opinion, Arsenal announced that any fan who had been to Old Trafford and witnessed the horror show would be granted a free ticket to attend another away match, to compensate them having to view such an atrocity. Similarly, Ipswich Town, who were recently on the end of a 7-1 hammering to Peterborough, offered to pay their fans travel expenses for the consecutive away match against Blackpool. We should have more of this in music and sport.

I therefore propose that a panel of experts are set up to view a sports team/musical artists performance. A representative should be appointed to each sporting team/event/music venue in the country, whom will have the power to decide if the team/artist was guilty of performing poorly resulting in their loss or booing by the fans, then some compensation should be given to the loyal followers. The guilty ruling would not apply for example, against Leeds Rhinos after their defeat to Wigan in the Challenge cup final at Wembley the other week. Despite losing the rhinos put in a sterling second half performance to restore pride and almost make a dramatic comeback.
I am not claiming that the fans should have all their money refunded but a free pint at a next gig, a free pie in the stadium or cup of tea at a rowing regatta wouldn't leave people feeling so cheated! We fund your careers so show us we mean something!

Above: How you could look enjoying a complimentary cup of tea after the rowing boat you came to watch sank.