Is Football a Sport for Children? Or just Men Who Act Like Children?

by Fans-Zone

Little boys like playing games. More or less from the time they realize they can kick, throw, or hit a ball, they can't get enough. Football is no different. Most professionals began playing as young children. The thing is they grow up. Of course, they are professional athletes, so they still play the game, but one would hope for the most part that they would act their age. Recent events, however, point to this being a false assumption in certain cases, specifically when talking about those in management.

First there was the very public airing of issues between Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill and Gareth Barry. The twenty-seven year old midfielder had an unauthorized interview with the press and voiced his displeasure at the way Villa was handling his possible transfer to Liverpool. O'Neill took the offensive after that and both fined and suspended Barry. That should have been the end of it, but the drama continues. Villa isn't budging on their asking price, and until Liverpool comes up with the money or bows out, Barry's career is at risk. The problem is that in his first week back in training, Barry suffered a foot injury. Rather than allow the injury to heal, O'Neill made Barry play for the reserves in a match on Tuesday – a move that could have resulted in further, or even permanent, injury to Barry. Adding to the concern is that O'Neill could decide to make Barry play this weekend as well. While there is a chance the young midfielder could be back in top condition by then, if he is not, the risk remains, and O'Neill seems disinclined to care.

The childish antics don't only exist between managers and their players, however. They also occur between managers of rival sides – and they don't even need to be playing each other at the time. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has recently made disparaging comments about both new Chelsea manager, Luiz Felipe Scolari, as well as the side itself. He has reportedly called the side "old" and said that Scolari couldn't beat former manager, Jose Mourinho's, record. While Mourinho had a stellar number of big wins during his tenure at Stamford Bridge, Scolari may well match or beat it. This early, there is simply no way to be sure. Regarding the age of the Stamford Bridge players, Chelsea legend, "Chopper" Harris reportedly said he was once told by a manager that in football, players don't reach their peak until they are 30. Interestingly, several of the top players at Stamford Bridge are right around that age.

Maybe Ferguson was just spouting off in an effort to garner press attention. And perhaps O'Neill really believed that Gareth Barry was ready to play on that injured foot. But from where I sit, it simply doesn't look that way. Rather, it looks like O'Neill is still intent on showing Barry that he is boss, just like your average schoolyard bully. As for Ferguson, one has to wonder if he isn't like the kid who goes to bed at night saying he isn't afraid of monsters, yet he always needs the nightlight on. From all appearances, it looks like in football some kids never do grow up.

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