Violence

On and off the field, It’s killing our sport

AUSTRALIA is following unfortunate overseas trends of violence in the sporting environment and it is escalating. Player and spectator violence in words and deeds are easy observed but there is also media and authority violence in both passive and active forms.

Media headlines and covert support of violence by the clubs on and off the field is one of the lesser discussed but important ingredients in the violence scene.

It is important that we deal with this escalating violence immediately as it threatens, at best, the comfort and attendance of all members of the sporting family and, at worst, the very existence of live spectator attendance at sporting venues.

Few fans would relish the thought of being relegated to nearby theatres to watch games on oversized television screens. But this could happen if strong measures are not taken to stem violence against players, officials and among spectators.

Matters have not reached this state of affairs in Australia yet but they have in parts of South America and Europe.

One judge in Vermont, in 1982, ordered a school ice hockey game to, be played without an audience following the death of a spectator in a carpark after the game, Although I disagree with their conclusion; a recent recommendation from the Australian State Minister of Sport stated that police should be encouraged to impose sanctions even during the games when matters were out of control.

We are not that far away from dramatic changes in our sports scene. A little civilising and some commonsense will avert this problem and there certainly are problems in Australia today. The Sydney City soccer riot in 1985, cricket violence on and off the field during the 1982 Ashes series, the attacking of umpires as they left the ground in the

Collingwood-Swans game just a few weeks ago, and the serious disturbance following the Dave Russell challenge for a Commonwealth boxing title from a persistent Zambian six weeks ago, graphically illustrates the problems authorities face over violence. It is not new to world sporting scenes. The Greeks celebrated a pancration at each of their quadrennial Olympic Games. This amounted to each of the 22 city states sending their roughest and toughest warriors into an all-in fight - the winner of which was proclaimed Olympic champion. The gentle happenings in the Colosseum in Roman days and the classic ongoing rivalry between the Tanners and the Skinners in 14th Century Engiand provide ample evidence that history has been full of violent episodes promoted officially and unofficially in sport, and it is universal. The annual Celtics-Rangers soccer game in Scotland invariably finishes in a riot. Cricket fans in India burn everything in sight when their players let them down. The spectators at cycling events in Spain not infrequently beset disappointing competitors, and tennis spectators in Italy are rarely described as genteel. Although Liverpool soccer fans have been difficult to top in recent years, their rivals the Manchester United fans raucously voice their favorite chant, “We hate humans.”

In the United States one coach bit the heads off frogs in order to impress his players before a game and another joined with his players in kicking chickens to death before the schoolboy team took the field. A ghastly television clip in recent days showed the knifing of a spectator who had intruded on to a soccer pitch just before a game between two black teams in South Africa. Violence can be divided into two parts - player violence and spectator violence. The forms involve physical contact, invective, property destruction, rioting (in protest and celebration) and behavioral disorders like fighting, drunkeness, drug abuse, the throwing of missiles, running on the field, even public urinating. Most responsible citizens have expressed concern and a recent report commissioned by the State Ministers of Sport endeavored to deal with this growing problem. The problem was that this report made recommendations to solve problems that had not yet been confirmed. It underscored the need for the collection and careful processing of accurate data if we are to avoid over or under-reaction of this serious problem. There is probably not much value in debating the basic causes of mankind’s aggression although it is fascinating and has attracted the interest of great scholars. Conrad Lorenz, for instance, believed that violence is inherent in man. It is part of his nature and one can expect it to come out at any time. This is called the nature theory and is kinder to sports violence on playing fields than the other theory called nurture. (Nature is regarded by these people as a surrogate for war with much less traumatic fallout).

Social learning theorists though, like Albert Bandura, maintain that violence is learned, not inherited; they call this theory nurture. The nurturists are a lot less kind to sporting violence maintaining that children learn by watching adults perform.

Whatever theory one accepts, however, the practical problem remains - sports violence is a worry.

There are many things we can do to prevent or control violence.

Scheduling games at sensible times, dramatically improving physical plant, utilising local supervision through teachers and local policemen with the intention of preventing rather than reacting to violence. Some fans, players, coaches, authorities, referees need continuous education on control matters in the games and some old fashioned discipline is needed with those who offend.

Controversial decisions can well be explained by referees through body microphones. The recent decision to disallow this communication means in Victorian football was short sighted. Phones can be switched on and off. Direct communication with fans is desired.

Recalcitrant players, teams, officials and fans should be banned for appropriate periods of time.

Games which are out of control should not be allowed to continue. Surveyance to isolate troublemakers is needed and the division of crowds into small units is essential. Seating is badly needed at Australian sporting venues. The terrace syndrome with the resultant mobility, trashing and fatigue is a major problem.

We have found that crowds are volatile and act in impetuous, sometimes unexpected fashions. Therefore distractions like scoreboard antics are sometimes needed to quickly settle them again.

We have found that somewhere between 2 and 5 per cent of spectators are unruly or potential troublemakers and despair at attempts by authority at punishing everybody for the antics of a few. There are further problems with gangs and groups, and this needs to be isolated and dealt with quickly and effectively.

One cannot avoid the need for the presence of the police, but police also aggravate. Therefore, great care has to be taken with their deployment and their training. Many a volatile moment has been dispelled effectively with a simple smile.

Long term factors need immediate consideration.

Schools cannot escape the socialising ethics associated with sports. Neither can parents or community groups. This unsung effort has to be rejuvenated and where it currently exists, modeled and praised.

Tribunals need to be stiffer in their penalties and politicians must cease making superficial statements about sports violence.

Concerns about respect for players among spectators have been expressed with substance in recent months, so perhaps the socio-economic factors around games are contributing to this problem,

Overpaid and out-of-form players and spectators who are spiteful and shallow-minded contribute to this problem.

The vicious words ringing from crowds about two Aboriginal players in Australian football today are a disgrace to the nation and should he jumped on by nearby spectators and authorities immediately.

I was very glad to hear a spectator gently censure his partner over this delicate issue at a recent game between North Melbourne and Collingwood. The banning of alcohol has been suggested, but it is not needed or recommended. 95 per cent of the people attending a game behave themselves; we must stop adopting Band-aid cures to alleviate problems.

Alcohol abuse is the problem not alcohol use. Those who are guilty need to be apprehended singly. Wholesale punishments are not needed and are rarely effective.

Wherever I have seen dry games mandated by authorities the collection of illicit booze bottles left on the grounds alters the game re-enforces yet again the foolishness of Band-aid cures such as universal prohibition.

One of the best cures for individual misbehavior used in the United States is the removal of season tickets. the prohibiting of specified individuals from drinking and the assignment of individuals to certain areas. This is a moderate step towards behavioral change and protecting of general interest at the same time.

Violence in sport is an ugly problem which disturbs dreams and escalates divisions in a community.

We must act immediately by upgrading the research function and continue to make suggestions for improvement on specific and general matters on a weekly basis. The challenge to our sports authorities is before them. We all hope they are equal to the task.

Published in the Melbourne Heard 1987