I really love your point re 'nipping in the bud'. I've taken to watching a bit of EPL this season. Not really my bag but I have a bunch of football lads in one of my classes so they asked me a bunch of personal questions and assigned me a team to support (West Ham- clearly they don't like me...). Something that has struck me is the complete disrespect for officials- screaming in their faces, touching them etc. This sort of thing is the fat end of the wedge when you start getting players faking injuries, slowing things, begging referees to watch replays etc. I'd hate to see rugby go further down this route.
I really love your point re 'nipping in the bud'. I've taken to watching a bit of EPL this season. Not really my bag but I have a bunch of football lads in one of my classes so they asked me a bunch of personal questions and assigned me a team to support (West Ham- clearly they don't like me...). Something that has struck me is the complete disrespect for officials- screaming in their faces, touching them etc. This sort of thing is the fat end of the wedge when you start getting players faking injuries, slowing things, begging referees to watch replays etc. I'd hate to see rugby go further down this route.