The Liverpool captain was a second half substitute for Adam Lallana and was almost immediately dismissed for stamping on the leg of Ander Herrera. He gave an interview to Sky Sports in the aftermath of the game in which he apologised for his actions and took responsibility for the defeat. He said: “I’ve got to accept it. I’ve let my team-mates, manager and more importantly the supporters down and I take full responsibility for that.
“I think I’ve tried to avoid his tackle and I’ve reacted when I’ve seen his studs showing. But I’ve been in the game long enough to know when you do that with 45 minutes to play and a great opportunity to get back into the game, I take full responsibility.
“I’ve reacted to the initial tackle, but I don’t want to say too much more. I wanted to apologise to the supporters and I take full responsibility for the result.”
Read the article in full here: http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/steven-gerrard-liverpool-captain-apologises-after-red-card-for-stamp-on-ander-herrera-10126001.html
In the same game, Martin Skrtel alledgedly stamped on the opposing goalkeepr's foot.http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/martin-skrtel-stamp-david-de-5381810
As a result of his misdemeanour, Martin Skrtel could yet face Football Association disciplinary action, if his actions have been seen to breach the FA Code of Conduct.
Is intentional harm on the football field acceptable behaviour?
While many of us work in professions that have codes of practice, it is unlikely that our codes allow for us to assault others and not have our actions, if severe enough, considered by a court of law.
Is sport different?
Many sporting games include intense emotions and close physical contact; aggression is often a part of competitive behaviour, but should it be acceptable for sporting figures to intentionally do harm and then for those actions to just be seen as 'disciplinary' issues.
How would Gerrard, Skrtel and others (like Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez who bit other players at last years World Cup) be treated if their behaviour had taken place off the pitch, as members of the public?
Is sport 'just a game' and so therefore somehow different from real life situations, or should the same penalties apply for intentional actions on or off the field?
What do you think?
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