Walcott controversy shows football has lost its sense of humour

• Posted on January 6, 2014January 6, 2014
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

It’s a north London derby, passions are running high as Arsenal lead their bitter rivals 2-0 deep in the second half and Theo Walcott decides to prove that not all footballers are robots, devoid of emotion and a sense of humour.

As the man who has led Tottenham a merry dance all afternoon is carried from the field of battle on a stretcher in front of the 5,000 Spurs fans, the striker responds to their abuse by making a gesture to remind them of the score.

An act of impetuosity, at worst. A bit of fun amid the ferocity and fury of another thunderous north London derby. And yet many fans and pundits are suggesting that Walcott should face sanctions from the Football Association for “inciting” the idiots who hurled coins, cigarette lighters, plastic cups and even a bread roll in his direction.

What utter rubbish.

If Walcott is hauled before the FA and given a fine, I hope it amounts to no more than the cash sum of the dozen or so coins that stewards recovered from the Emirates Stadium pitch.

In an era where the game is becoming increasingly sanitised and one where the disconnect between players and supporters continues to grow, how refreshing it was to see Walcott showing some passion.

And he did it in the right manner. As Arsene Wenger said, the forward was smiling as he goaded the Tottenham ‘fans’ and Tim Sherwood’s application of the most overused word by people in football – “banter” – fits with the narrative in this instance.

The fact that some fools couldn’t take it reflects on them, not Walcott.

The more that people try to suggest that Walcott was in some way responsible for triggering some unsavoury scenes, the more mitigation we offer people who should take full responsibility for their actions.

Not only does it seem a dreadful waste of money to throw pound coins – attending football matches is an expensive enough hobby already – but it could have caused severe damage had one such missile struck Walcott, or one of the brave stewards who ran the gauntlet carrying the stretcher.

In any event, it certainly justified Arsenal’s decision to deny Tottenham the usual 15 per cent allocation of 9,000 tickets for the north London derby.

The 17.15GMT kick-off may have meant some of the protagonists had over-indulged in alcohol but you can bet your pound coin that they would have been whooping with joy had the boot been on the other foot.

Football has become too serious, falling over itself to seek controversy and then revel in it at every corner. Too many muted celebrations, too much hatred, too little interaction between players and supporters, too much sensationalism. When did it all become this way?

Referee Mark Clattenburg will decide whether and what to report to the FA about the Walcott incident. After the week that he has had, he should look on it more favourably than most.

Clattenburg was accused by Southampton of unacceptable behaviour during the south-coast club’s defeat at Everton shortly before the turn of the year.

Southampton claim that Clatternburg told Lallana: “You are very different now, since you’ve played for England. You never used to be like this.”

The complaint was quite rightly thrown out – probably with a fair degree of laughter – by the referees’ governing body, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited.

I’m not a huge fan of Clattenburg as a referee but the fact that Southampton still refuse to let go and don’t want him to officiate their matches is ridiculous.

The fallout from the episodes involving Walcott and Clattenburg demonstrate how English football has become anything but the release from the reality of everyday life that it should be.

WEST HAM OWNERS WILL PAY FOR LOYALTY TO ALLARDYCE

West Ham’s owners will tell you that their biggest mistake since buying the club in 2010 was the decision to stick with Avram Grant in the winter of 2010-11 when they considered sacking the Israeli manager.

David Gold and David Sullivan, possibly the most patient owners in the division, eventually decided to back their man but saw their loyalty and trust rewarded with relegation.

Sam Allardyce has a fair point about the Hammers’ crippling injury list but he needs to stop bleating and start winning. Even with their injury problems, this West Ham squad is far better than they have shown this season.

-Goal