He Tore A Hamstring Dot Mee Dot UK

Sports, Tabloids and Hypocrisy …

I sometimes wonder whether sportsmen are allowed private lives? Whilst it is true that several have used the media to their own needs, I often find myself asking what right the tabloids have to persistently invade the private lives of sportsmen. The Beckhams have put up with it all their lives, although possibly there is less sympathy for them given that they have never been shy of courting the press.

However, I have found some of the publicity surrounding Australian Cricketer, Michael Clarke, and to a lesser extent Kevin Pietersen, to be farcical. Not withstanding the fact that there are too many meaningless tours on the International Cricket calendar, both players have been criticised for missing a few, quite frankly, unimportant matches due to family circumstances. Australian Vice-Captain Clarke returned home from New Zealand to apparently save the relationship with his fiancée, embroiled in a tabloid scandal, whereas Pietersen had the effrontery to request paternity leave to attend the pending birth of his first child.

To hear sections of the media, some of whom should know better, lambasting these cricketers, and some even suggesting that Clarke be stripped of the Vice-Captaincy, is in my opinion in the poorest taste. We put these stars on a global pedestal, expect them to conform to a set of rules that we set whilst sneering at each indiscretion, yet when they show family values, we still criticise!

Thankfully, both the Australian and English Cricket authorities have shown a degree of sense and afforded both the opportunity to attend to significant events in their personal lives. If only the self-appointed ‘gods’ of the media would show a similar level of empathy, we could avoid the constant drivvle found on the back pages. If only Warwickshire County Cricket Club had shown any sensitivity in 1988, my father may have been allowed to attend his father’s funeral, especially as he was injured at the time anyway.

Simply, this is not a new phenomenon and not confined to the media. However, if we are going to ask our sportsmen and women to act as perfect role-models, maybe it is time to let them live a normal life. If we want them to be like the rest of us, treat them like the rest of us and don’t scrutinise every step that they take.

I would welcome your thoughts on this either by commenting here, or on SeededBuzz. You can read a balanced opinion from former Australian Test Cricketer, Michael Slater, by clicking here.