There are many indecent ways of acting on a football pitch, simulation, intentionally hurting an opponent, foul and abusive language and the one that many believe to be the lowest form of conduct… spitting. An act that former Leeds United midfielder Samu Saiz was rightly handed a six game ban for in the 2017/18 season.
So my question would be, the act of spitting on an opposing player is seen and taken in so little regard, demanding severe punishment as above, then why has a fan spitting on an opposing player not been highlighted in the press more vigorously?
When Leeds United travelled to Millwall on Saturday, a fixture that The Lions ended up winning 2-1, striker Patrick Bamford was replaced by Eddie Nketiah in the sixty second minute, so Bamford left the field at his closest point, as is the new rule for this season, but the striker was subjected to a barrage of sick abuse and was even led away by coaching staff as he approached the dug out after he was spat at by a Millwall supporter.
Today it has been revealed by The YEP that the referees body Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOL) have warned their officials to use their own discretion following the above incident at The Den.
Referees have been warned following an incident involving Patrick Bamford at Millwall. 👇 #lufc https://t.co/uok7Eovm1F
— Leeds United News (@LeedsUnitedYEP) October 8, 2019
But this is not seen as enough by former England Striker Michael Owen, who Tweeted his Thoughts…
Why don’t we use even more common sense and just scrap the rule? We are asking for trouble, as I said last week. pic.twitter.com/OSSEBJmEDQ
— Michael Owen (@themichaelowen) October 8, 2019
The referee should stop the watch during a substitution. Time wasting doesn’t come into it. There is no valid reason to force players to walk a gauntlet of abuse. The safety of everybody in the stadium should be priority. https://t.co/NZw1J303Zb
— Michael Owen (@themichaelowen) October 8, 2019
This kind of act is reprehensible, no matter who commits it, but is the ELF or the FA doing enough to tackle crowd abuse in all it’s forms?
It would appear not… especially following Saturdays events.