john terry

There has been a large amount of discussion in the media about whether or not John Terry is a suitable captain of the national football team because of his extra marital activities. I have not read a single word attacking Vanessa Perroncel for her part in the affair. She might have been single and free to be with whoever she pleased at the time but she knew Toni Terry, had spent time with the couple, which makes her actions almost as unforgivable.

The debate about role models has also been prominent in the media. "John Terry should not be England Captain because he has set a bad example to the kids" is the most frequent position taken. And that got me thinking.*

Does the private life of a footballer make a blind bit of difference? Are they paid because of their ability to play football or because of the positive image they present?

If our national football team are to be role models for our young then surely John Terry should be excluded from the team altogether? Taking away the captain's armband might be a symbolic punishment but keeping him in the team does not prevent him from being a role model. It might even send out a worse message - what you did was wrong but we aren't going to punish you.

The consequence of removing Terry from the team would be that Ashley Cole would definitely have to go for puking, shagging, rolling off to puke some more before continuing to shag a minging hairdresser, or for driving at 104mph in a 50mph limit. Stephen Gerard (brawling), Rio Ferdinand (failing to take a drug test), David Beckham (speeding, extra marital affair), various other players (alleged roastings and infidelities) would all have to consider their positions too.

How many of us do things in our private lives that would get us fired if we did them whilst at work? Do we have a right to demand a higher standard of behaviour from sportsmen and women than we would apply to our own lives? Should we hold them up as role models at all?

I think not. I'd rather see young people motivated to creative and intellectual excellence than sporting prowess (although a healthy body can help to make a healthy mind).







*I didn't say the thoughts were coherent.