Worrying signs, worrying times in Football

The violent attack on a Football referee, by a group of players during an Under-17 Quarter- Final between Largo Height and Layou in the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation’s Competition, must be condemned to the highest degree.

That unprovoked and unwarranted incident occurred on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at the Campden Park Playing Field.

However, that attack came days after a similar incident, when an Assistant Referee was attacked at the end of the final of the Barrouallie League, September 30, at the Keartons Playing Field.

These two attacks sparked immediate reactions from the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Referees’ Association, who withdrew their services, and rightly so.

This column always maintains that violence in sports is a microcosm of what obtains and pervades in the wider Vincentian society.

Frightening and worrying it is, as here we are dealing with Under-17 footballers, with most attending secondary school, and a few recently enrolled at the main tertiary institution.

Decisive actions and strong messages have to be sent to all offenders.

The withdrawal of their services proved worthwhile, as the 2023 secondary schools’ tournament, originally set for October 8, had to be deferred by one week.

On the other hand, it must be underscored that Football match officials have to conduct themselves and be equally respectful to the players, coaches and other management personnel.

Hence, all parties, the SVG Referees Association , the SVGFF as well as affiliates of the SVGFF have to redouble their efforts to lessen the incidences of these deviant and disruptive behaviours.

Already in place though are punitive measures to deal with offenders.

As such, action was taken last November by the Disciplinary Committee of the SVGFF which saw Greiggs player – Shamorie Baptiste handed a three-year suspension for striking referee- Rohan Primus in the face, at the Chili Playing Field.

Then, the said committee banned the entire Volcanoes Football Club for two years, following an assault on Assistant Referee Justin Bullock at the Victoria Park, February 8, 2023.

Based on the above punishments meted out to Baptiste and the Volcanoes club, the precedent has been set, despite some persons crying inconsistencies in the respective penalties.

Last Thursday’s fracas should, now more than ever, evoke a deeper sense of commitment towards helping the youths with the management of their anger issues.

Ironically though, sports in its pure forms are outlets for social cohesion, instead are working against the grains of the ideals and intent.

Unfortunately, violence in the Vincentian sphere has taken a turn for the worse, and one will readily ask, “How did we get to this point?”

Whilst we cannot thumb a single factor for the evident up tick in violence and criminal activities, one thing is certain is that it is cause for concern, especially in sports.

Organisers of community sporting events and national associations, especially, have to look seriously at safety of players, match officials and patrons, as high priority.

Fundamentally though, greater effort must be made to reach out to the reachable youths, as many are crying out for help, but some have been lumped with the small minority of miscreants.

Our country is descending into a state of despair, relative to the manner we deal with disagreements, alleged unfairness or simply disputes.

In the current state of affairs, Football, more than any other sporting disciplines, is most suited as an avenue to address short fused and misguided youths.

It must be said that enough outreach programmes are not pursued in this regard, and things are left to evolve.

Sadly, when societal issues get to their boiling points, it is the most popular sport here in St Vincent and the Grenadines- Football, that gets the brunt of the backlash, as players vent their frustrations on the field.

The SVGFF in a release last Sunday, in response to the latest incident, indicated that “it will not support any individual(s) who engages in such acts and will enforce the necessary penalties decided by the relevant disciplinary bodies”.

In addition, the release promised that “ an educational drive for all stakeholders will be organized as well as the creation of programs where applicable, including offering mandatory counselling and mentorship sessions”.

Despite the well intent, the latter is reactionary. What is needed are long term efforts, rather than snippets of promise, thereafter falling back into normal programming after the matter has seemingly lost its short-term impact.

Utilising our youths’ football abilities and not paying attention to their other needs can be counterproductive not only to the sport, but national reconciliation issues.

All in all, ultimately, we may want to apply to the old African proverb that profoundly advances: “ It takes a village to raise a child”.