Last week, Ralph Rimmer said that swearing during televised games was one of Super League’s problems.
In a year in which the RFL have had to handle further expansion to North America, packed schedules and the Widnes Vikings going into administration, how does foul language even enter the discussion?
A lot of players swear – are you going to discipline every team or all players with fines? Suspensions after the warnings? I hope not.
In the NBA and Canadian Football League, the games are either shown on a five or seven-second delay so that the foul language can be censored – or there is an advisory similar to this shown:
“The following is a live event and with live television, we can not control the language of all involved. Viewer discretion is advised.”
You’re giving the viewers notice in sports, sometimes there’s foul language – you’re now aware and it’s your choice to continue watching.
I could assume that the vast majority of viewers do not care about the amount of swearing during Super League games or even notice it enough to complain.
There is also another way to avoid all this: do not show close-ups of the coaches or players, and take away mics from pitch-side.
Problem solved.
As someone who has played sports (at nowhere near a professional level), I know emotions run high and not every player will restrain themselves from uttering four-letter words.
Rugby league is a great game, but language should not be a pressing issue for the RFL when there are so many other things to tackle.
Paul
Roar Guru
hi Avry, I've been at games where parents have taken their children home because of the swearing and in fairness, that was probably the right thing to do. Even for me it was a bit much. There's no easy fix to this, nor can it be fixed forever. Remove the mikes and viewers complain they're not getting the level of involvement they want. Leave them there and others will complain about the language. The issue you raise is not about swearing, but about too much abusive language. If you heard one or two f-bombs in an 80 minute game, I don't think there'd be too many complaints. I'm assuming Mr Rimmer thinks its out of hand, hence the suggestion of refs stepping in. Coaches too, can educate players, especially younger players so this type of thing doesn't become a habit.
Avry Lewis-McDougall
Roar Rookie
I'm pretty sure almost every four letter word I heard for the first time came in school! HAHA
Avry Lewis-McDougall
Roar Rookie
Hi Paul! Like I said in the piece if that's really an issue remove the mics from so close to the players, do we really need to hear everything being said? Could refs chat with the captains? Sure but that's not going to magically fix things forever. I truly doubt parents would stop kids from getting involved in League due to language, every sport has it at some point.
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
How silly. Players swearing shows heat in the battle. PC brigade at it again
mushi
Roar Guru
Sports is typically G rated and exempt from scheduling restrictions.
Big Daddy
Guest
Not sure where this Ralph Rimmer is coming from. Nearly every movie and television show has swearing. It's like telling people not to watch Gordon Ramsay. If they start that in league that'll do me. And as far as kids are concerned there's probably more swearing in the school playground than in a league match.
Paul
Roar Guru
hi Avry, you need to be careful not to dismiss Rimmer's concerns out of hand. For sure there are lots of other issues demanding his time, but if he thinks that on field swearing is damaging the brand, his words need to be heeded. I'd hate to see parents stop kids from getting involved in League because players were careless with 4 letter words. Time delayed broadcasts as well as a quiet word to coach & players about toning down the swearing would probably be enough. It might also be an idea to get refs involved. If they hear excessive swearing, maybe they could have a chat to the captains.