Comments on: Gumprecht’s only offence is naivete

By: Ben of Phnom Penh

Ben of Phnom Penh — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 10:22:40 +0000

An interesting sign of the times. It seems that as football becomes more popular in Australia the media attention on players in growing as well. This means that players have to be aware of their public persona off the pitch more and more often. It is something that players need to be acutely aware of and an aspect of professional sports that the clubs need to fully understand. Whether we condone the actions of Gumprecht or not the fact remains that the tabloid media enjoys smut and this is a risk that needs to be mitigated by clubs ensuring that players are fully aware that sections of the media will take advantage of situations in order to drum up a sensation. If you are sailing in the grey there will be those who will ensure that you are reported as being well in the black.

Incidentally why is this an issue for the FFA and not the club?

Sadly, given much of the Australian footballing media’s apparent lack of knowledge of Asia, if he had turned up as Than Shwe nobody would have commented.

By: StPauli-StKilda

StPauli-StKilda — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 08:33:37 +0000

I think the response to Gumprecht’s actions have been fair, and his apology has been appropriate.

With that said, it It is wrong to compare his Mad Monday costume as being of the same artistic sentiment as Charlie Chaplin and Mel Brooks.

Of course there are times to talk about and ridicule figures like Hitler, it’s just that a players piss-up is probably not that forum.

Jesse, you added these comments:

“Growing up in East Germany, you go through a very hard schooling and they let you know about every single bit about German history. They make you watch a movie when you’re about ten, it’s compulsory for every student.

“Those documentaries are very graphic. They don’t hold back. We saw dead people and how people starved to death. I remember half the class leaving the room vomiting. It was shocking.”

Is that meant to make me feel sorry for him?

Because when I grew up watching the same footage, I was doing so with the knowledge that any of those horrible images could have been of a relative.

For all those out there who think it’s boring or just a beat-up, have a bit of heart. You may not make an emotional connection to it, but it doesn’t mean other people can’t be offended.

By: Cpaaa

Cpaaa — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 07:37:31 +0000

at fancy dress parties are there any other clauses besides,

“dont dress as hitler ”

that i should know about?

what a load of belony

….but the full back page on the daily telegraph of Vukovic as corey delaney was an absolute gem.
i like the guy even more now
….this is great for gumprechts career as well. would anyone boo the guy next time he runs on the pitch. Na.hes a bit of a muscat now i think. a house hold name and a crowd pleaser.
seems like everyone had a good time. at least no one was kicking little fury animals or knocking each other out.

By: Midfielder

Midfielder — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 06:24:26 +0000

sledgeross

You said ………I wouldnt put it past the Tele taking the photos and then ringing around the Eastern Suburbs asking if people are offended by Hitler……………..thats very funny …………… and maybe close to the truth. Top call

By: sledgeross

sledgeross — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 04:53:59 +0000

Its just the media fishing for a story. Its a non-event and non-offensive unless they run a story. I wouldnt put it past the Tele taking the photos and then ringing around the Eastern Suburbs asking if people are offended by Hitler. Its gutter journalism at its best.
Lets be pedantic about it. He wasnt wearing a Nazi uniform (it was British) and he wasnt wearing a Swastika. I have plenty of mates of German origin who get called Hitler, Adolf and Nazi’s not because they share the same philosophy, but merely becasue, as Andre pointed out, we generalise alot in society. We only really know about Germany from what we learn about WW2, hence we all make that Nazi call.

By: Hopovski

Hopovski — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 04:47:00 +0000

I thought it was pretty funny Jesse. But, as recent form suggests they might, who would be surprised to see the FFA punish a costume like that?

By: Hopovski

Hopovski — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 04:46:29 +0000

I thought it was pretty funny Jesse. But, as recent form suggests, who would be surprised to see the FFA punish a costume like that?

By: Jesse Fink

Jesse Fink — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 04:15:21 +0000

Hopovski said:

“Why not fine Vukovic for promoting wild parties and brawls with his “Corey Delaney” get-up as well?? Get a life…”

Hahahaha. I thought Vukovic’s get-up was inspired and rather uncanny, didn’t you?

By: Rob of Perth

Rob of Perth — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 04:07:51 +0000

On the subject of Hitler, here is one of my favourite videos on YouTube:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=8nh7gm4jj6c

By: cosmos forever

cosmos forever — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:54:40 +0000

I thought the new football wasn’t about making decisions based on ethnic origin. By all means throw the book at Grumpy – IF a thorough review of all outfits worn by ALL players in ALL Mad Monday sessions is undertaken and offence measured from a range of cultural viewpoints.

Otherwise this just look a bit like the Lowy’s making all the decisions based on their own personal and cultural background…

PS – why the hell to footballers have to dress up anyway, where did this stupid Mad Monday thing come from?

By: Millster

Millster — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:12:40 +0000

On the one hand I feel that Gumprecht and Vidmar were stupid. There has been enough drama about other celebrities doing tasteless dress-up (I seem to remember Prince Harry pulling the same stunt) that they should have known better.

BUT… on the other hand 2 things…

1. Sports people have done far worse. There are no implications that they took drugs, got violent, sexually harrassed / assaulted anyone, damaged property, or caused any other form of mayhem. This in comparison to some of the suff you read is relatively tame.

2. I recall just recently a blog here about privacy of sports people and the line between celebrity and sporting performance. This after-season party was a private one, and has nothing to do with their footballing skills or results. Should it be a public issue at all?

By: Hopovski

Hopovski — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 23:54:08 +0000

FFA should concentrate on far more important stuff. Stop wasting time and money on minor stuff like this.

Why not fine Vukovic for promoting wild parties and brawls with his “Corey Delaney” get-up as well?? Get a life…

By: Kazama

Kazama — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:14:40 +0000

I think the reaction to Gumprecht’s mistake is a sign of the times. IMO we live in a society were people take every little thing too seriously and everyone’s first reaction seems to be “press charges.” If you make a mistake these days, regardless of you are, someone will be out to get you.

And let’s not kid ourselves, there is no such thing as ‘free’ speech. You might be able to do and say what you like, but it’s going to cost you.

By: Midfielder

Midfielder — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 21:33:38 +0000

Jes,

Very strongly agree with you, and taking the micky is done by everyone, we have a germany guy in our over 35 team, nay over 50 many of us, but anyway we have done the germany hilter thing at times.