The Premier League is worth the money and Manchester United’s Wayne Roony is no role model
Lovely article by Matt Dickinson the Times about the “obscene” sums of money in the Premier League.
It is slightly curious, this looking to football for a moral lead, which the Premier League counters by citing the total tax contribution of £2.4 billion to the UK Exchequer in the 2013-14 season, including £891 million paid directly by players. Equivalent to the pay of 90 per cent of all constables in England and Wales, so it says.
The vast sums paid to players and clubs is, as Dickinson suggests, “probably all part of the attraction”. And as for football taking the nation’s moral lead, well, I loathe the phrase “role model” when applied to a Premier League footballer whose not your dad or big brother.
Lamentably after so much sense, the Times also wrote: “Who is a good role model for young footballers?” The answer is none. But The article invites people to tell the Times who their footballing role model is and isn’t.
Wayne Rooney is an enormous talent but I’m not sure he has matured enough to be a “great role model”.
Ask his kids. They look up to him, most likely. Others wade in:
Rooney is a shocking role model…
Young Mr. Rooney is a disgrace to professional football and to society in general…
A much more suitable role model would be Steven Gerrard, Michael Owen or even John Terry, whose own rehabilitation now appears complete after a few difficult years…
I think Zinedine Zidane is a true footballing icon and should be a role-model for every aspiring footballer…
Danny Shittu, the Queens Park rangers defender, is an excellent role model for young people…
No footballer signed up to a “role model”. Is the Prime Minister a role model? Are other public figures, like MPs, there to offer you moral guidance? Is Prince Harry Baseball Cap your life coach? Is your first thought when confronted with model dilemma to muse, “I wonder what Richard Branson would do?” If it is, seek help. Now.
Posted: 3rd, September 2016 | In: Back pages, Money, Sports Comments (2) | TrackBack | Permalink
