FAIR PLAY

The FIFA Fair Play Code for football encapsulates all of the sporting, moral and ethical principles for which FIFA has always stood and for which it will continue to fight in the future, regardless of the influences and pressures that may be brought to bear.
http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/worldwideprograms/footballforhope/fairplay/code.html

There are ten golden rules one of which is “playing fairly”

Play fair
Winning is without value if victory has been achieved unfairly or dishonestly. Cheating is easy, but brings no pleasure. Playing fair requires courage and character. It is also more satisfying. Fair play always has its reward, even when the game is lost. Playing fair earns respect, while cheating only brings shame. Remember: it is only a game. And games are pointless unless played fairly.

Talking of fair play, Former Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann says he may retire from football in protest at the standard of refereeing in Germany’s Bundesliga.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/7719592.stm

Lehmann was shown a yellow card for telling the ref: “A Frankfurt player feigned an injury so we could not counter-attack.” According to Lehmann, the Ref had told him that he had to stop play for the injury. However, as soon as play was stopped, “the man stands up and doesn’t even leave the field to be treated”

“I told the referee, ‘Look! There he goes!’ and he shows me a yellow card – incredible.”

“Fair is foul and foul is fair. Hover through the fog and filthy air”- The three witches in Macbeth

Sometimes foul is useful and fair is not. At the end of the season, who is going to remember the game you won by the help of the ref 7 months ago?

Is winning without value if victory has been achieved unfairly or dishonestly?

Does cheating only bring shame?

It is only a game? Next time a ref gives a dubious penalty against your team don’t kick up dust. It’s just a game.