Do Football Fans take the Sport too Seriously?

I could put my life savings on the fact that none of you would have thought too much about this. Many fans don't. I don't them either. They just enjoy supporting their own club through the good times and bad times with no questions asked.  However only a small minority that give football a bad name, and when it comes to death threats, it's an issue I am very passionate about.

Most of you will probably remember the date May 6th 2009. Chelsea were playing Barcelona and were looking to secure the second successive final against Manchester United. The game was filled with controversy from the off with Chelsea having 4 penalty appeals turned down. Having watched the replays of the game, yes all 4 were stonewall penalties. Tom Henning Ovrebo was the unfortunate man in the middle that night. I'm not interested in what happened on the pitch, its what happened after the match that disappointed me.

Straight after the match, cameras caught Drogba swearing at the referee. Tensions were running high and there was a lot at stake, which is understandable, but not able to condone that behaviour. The British media reported that he was 'smuggled' out of England under police escort. This is what I'm not cool with. With a small minority of Chelsea fans obviously being a threat to his life, no one should be 'smuggled'. A word that almost dehumanises the individual. Why the fans couldn't respect the fact that they lost, albeit controversially, and that there would always be next year is beyond me. It's not just Chelsea that have these fans, I am positive that each English club will have this pocket of fans. No refereeing decision, no matter how severely wrong the ref got it, deserves death threats.

For Neil Lennon, death threats nearly ended his career. Controversy is just around the corner with this man, for all the wrong reasons. Parcel bombs and bullets have been sent to him on many separate occasions. In January 2011, Royal Mail intercepted packages containing bullets addressed to Lennon and 2 other Northern Irish footballers. 2 months later Lennon was sent a parcel bomb. The package was intercepted by the Royal Mail in Scotland and no damage was done. There is no room for sectarianism in football and it needs to stop.

Just last season, I was disappointed in Rio Ferdinand actions upon the final whistle at Old Trafford when United were playing Real Madrid in a hotly contested last 16 match last season. Rio proceeded to clap, mockingly, in front of the referee at the end of the match. Nani had been given a controversial red card for a dangerous challenge. Whether it was a deserved punishment or not, I'm not prepared to debate on the correct outcome, but just so you know my opinion, I think it was justified. 

Much like the Chelsea - Barca match, a lot was at stake, so maybe it was the heat of the moment. What infuriates me, is that these players are meant to be role-models. As FIFA are trying to instil a Respect for Referees campaign, it doesn't look good when one simple action could see kids repeating the same incident.

In answer to my question, no. Its just a few hooligans that go out at all costs to cause harm. As a budding referee, I am glad to see steps taken to protect the officials and hope to see changes in the future. So the next time you begin to abuse the ref, or an opponent, just think, what impact could this have on the person's life?