DECENCY AND THE BEAUTIFUL GAME

According to FIFA, referees are expected to act in a preventative manner and to exercise common sense in dealing with the celebration of a goal. For example, if a player removes his shirt after scoring a goal he gets cautioned by the referee. I am sure the player gets cautioned for decency.

Speaking of decency and dress codes, in a game between Italian sides, Catania and Torino, three Catania players dropped their shorts practically to their knees, while lining up in a wall during a free kick, so Torino goalie Matteo Sereni couldn’t see the kick by Catania’s Giuseppe Mascara, who scored during Catania’s 3-2 victory. Seeing is believing: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/soccer/11/17/bc.soc.italy.shortsdown.ap/index.html

The goal was not disallowed and nobody was cautioned though the ref was right there seeing the action in high def and 3 D. What happened to the rule that all players must tuck in their shirts (jerseys)? Tucking in your shirt is not only for decency. It also helps the ref to tell if somebody pulled your shirt. It seems most refs need to go for a refresher course.

Your honor (honour), the three showed lack of respect for the game and should be punished heavily to deter other players from playing the same trick.

I rest my case.