Nov 19 2008
Didier Drogba and Sir Alex Ferguson Find Themselves Banned
photo: Mark Freeman
Didier Drogba received a three match ban for his retaliation against opposing fans during Chelsea’s Carling Cup match with Championship side Burnley. According to Drogba the Burnley supporters had thrown a coin at him, to which Drogba responded by flipping the coin right back at the fans. Inappropriate? Yes. But did Drogba deserve a three match ban? Yes. But this is still an issue that needs to be explored more.
Yes Drogba should not have retaliated so childishly when he’s a professional athlete, and held to a higher moral standard when he’s on the pitch. But there needs to be accountability from the supporters of opposing teams. You can yell whatever you like at the other team, because while that match is going you physically hate the opponents of your club on the pitch or off. But when it escalates to throwing things at opposing players, that’s taking things a bit far.
Yes sport is a pretty serious thing when it come to football for most fans. But just like the respect campaign for referees that the FA has begun, perhaps there needs to be a respect campaign for proper treatment of players and supporters of opposing teams. I’m all for the rivalries, but you should be able the players have every right to not be physically abused while on the pitch.
Sir Alex Ferguson also received a ban by the FA for his conduct when he not only for storming the pitch to yell at referee Mike Dean after Manchester United’s clash with Hull City. But for failure to properly respond to the charges against him, Ferguson will have to face a two match touchline ban, as well as a £10,000 fine.
