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Just in case you have been hiding under a rock, the biggest issue to come out of the football world in the past couple of days has concerned the right to privacy. The man responsible for instigating the discussion is Manchester United legend and perfect role model, Ryan Giggs.
Having been revealed as the high-profile footballer that was involved in an affair with former Big Brother contestant Imogen Thomas, the Welshman chose to spend an exorbitant amount of money on a super-injunction in the hope of keeping his name a secret.
This counted for little though, as a politician used parliament and those on Twitter used the internet to oust him. In doing so, an illustrious career spanning eighteen years and an image as the consummate professional and family man, was shattered.
No wonder Giggs chose to steer clear of the media for the best part of his career. Nonetheless, his decision to take out a super-injunction could be interpreted as a devious act, and one that many other footballers may take to not only protect their names, but cover up their mistakes.
His desperation can be understood given that no other professional footballer has an image that is as valuable.
For years, Giggs has been a rare commodity that symbolised purity in an environment that is increasingly corrupted by greed.
The likes of Wayne Rooney and John Terry have earnt respect for their performances on the pitch, but their off-pitch behaviour has been condemned. Giggs has had the best of both worlds.
Yet, his high-profile status, combined with his positive reputation, has made him a target to those who want to see him brought down a notch. The incessant scrutiny that allowed jealous detractors to exploit the ridiculous antics of the likes of Rooney and Terry has taken nearly two decades to catch up to Giggs.
Though a man of his experience should have known better, the placing of footballers on a pedestal is shamefully dishonest. As the latest generation of superstars are given lessons in behaving and speaking to the media, a superficial image is represented to the public.
This lie takes an eternity to be established and a second to be extinguished. Then come the inevitable divorce, custody battles, and sounds of posters being torn from young fans’ walls.
Football fans have become blinded by the breathtaking skill and passion that is displayed by their heroes on the pitch.
As a teenager, this writer worshipped current Liverpool captain, Steven Gerrard. After his arrest for an alleged involvement in a bar brawl in 2008, that respect was diminished.
Perhaps this can be attributed to realising that Gerrard was not invincible and did not wear a cape. Luckily, this slight disconnection between footballer and fan was made before he became a personally important figure.
Unfortunately for Giggs, like golfing legend Tiger Woods, he has worn a cape for so long that his errors are viewed as an act of betrayal.
However, while footballers have some responsibility to act appropriately due to their status within society, it must be remembered that they are humans and do make mistakes.
Someone apparently forgot to remind those that jeered Giggs recently, a man who was awarded the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2009 and received an Order of the British Empire.
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