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At every match of this World Cup there have been banners promoting ‘Fair Play’. By definition Fair Play usually refers to sportsmanship of players. This involves both playing to the written law, and also to the so called ‘Spirit of the Game’.
FIFA itself has produced a Fair Play code that it expects all players to abide by.
Historians and fans alike, looking back on this World Cup will no doubt remember the tournament for its colourful Vuvuzelas and refereeing errors, but they will almost certainly not remember it as a tournament where Fair Play was promoted and upheld to the highest degree.
The Fair Play initiative started after El Diegos infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal in the 1986 FIFA World Cup. It is ironic that perhaps the unfair play of this World Cup is also brought to a climax by another handball.
Although perhaps not as memorable as Diegos, this handball more deliberate and perhaps more even more devastating for the opposition.
Regardless of the outcome of the Ghana versus Uruguay match after the handball, it can no longer be said that FIFA is serious about Fair Play. A one match ban handed to Luis Suarez surely does more to promote the cause of cheating to get ahead, rather than that of having fun and playing to the rules.
Kids all around the world have been watching this World Cup, and the actions of the players speak larger than the words on the banners, coming from FIFA media releases, or spoken by the players themselves.
Other instances of blatant cheating were continued instances of diving, Fabiano’s ball handling against Ivory Coast and Thierry Henry’s handball during qualifying. Huge referee errors such as England’s disallowed goal, Argentina’s offside goal, and Tim Cahill’s send off also raise significant questions about the integrity of the referees.
Kids all over the world have learnt a valuable lesson at this World Cup. Cheating is rewarded, while playing to the rules lessens your chance of success.
How many players at this World Cup could say confidently ‘My Game is Fair Play’?
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