Re: Judy Finnegan
Originally Posted by
Alan Cooke
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I also think she talked a lot of sense. I do believe some people act extremely outraged at such remarks because
they think it puts them on a higher pedestal. As far as I'm concerned the man has paid his debt to society by doing his time and he should be allowed to go back to his job.
b.i.b. I hope you are not includng me here Alan - and certainly, I hope, not the law of this land or Rape Crisis. Rape is rape and it is an outrageous and violent crime and punishable as such. It is not simply an opinion.
Do you not think that this man has a duty as a public figure - one who as a professional footballer is expected to behave appropriately on the field and off. (I know a lot don't) but IMO footballers are seen as role models for many young men who would wish to emulate them - it goes with the territory IMO. I would not deny him a job, but I do think serious questions should (and are) currently being asked about his suitability as an ambassador for his sport. The game of football don't owe him a job - maybe he should find something else to do.
This extract from the Institute of Sports, Business and Society (Germany)
"Superstars can be more effective role models for children and teenagers than their own families
70% of so-called “die-hard fans” consider their favourite football player to be a positive role model for society and more than 60% of teenage fans perceive their favourite player as a role model for themselves. 57% of teenage fans consciously try to emulate the behaviour of their favourite player; 52% of teenage fans are motivated by their favourite player to give one’s best in all areas of life, and 40% to engage in sports more often. 40% of all respondents who play or used to play football say that they began to play football, among other reasons, because of football-stars. Furthermore, there are considerable differences amongst the 20 most popular players regarding their function as role models. For example, Cacau (VfB Stuttgart) and Raúl (FC Schalke 04) are the two players most considered to be good role models for society by their own fans, although this finding generally applies to almost all players. Franck Ribéry (FC Bayern Munich) motivates his fans more than other players to give one’s best in all areas of life, while the fans of Ivica Olic and Mario Gomez (both from FC Bayern Munich) in particular try to imitate their behaviour and work ethic."