Maybe this column is repetitive, because 15 days ago I wrote here on Sheet about the small cheats, traps and lack of education that “dirty” football in our country.
At the end of last week, we had Corinthians x Palmeiras and Andreas Pereira ruining the penalty spot to harm Memphis. From then on we see an overdose of opinions that explain what Brazilian football is — and consequently Brazil.
I don’t want to villainize Andreas Pereira, who is just the example of the moment, but his attitude should be worthy of reflection for him and for everyone.
Two points catch my attention: 1 – there are those who defend the player, because this type of attitude “is part of football”, “if this ends, football dies”, “it is the referee who must prevent this attitude”; 2 – the Court of Sports Justice will indict the player for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Starting from the beginning, it seems almost absurd to me to have to explain that wrong is wrong. What Andreas did is cheating, it’s like putting a banana peel on the floor. It’s immoral, unethical, a bad example for millions of people who watched the game, or at least saw the play, and left with the feeling that playing dirty is worth it.
Football will not end if this type of move does not exist. On the contrary. After the antics and the anti-game come out, all that’s left is… football.
France and Argentina decided a World Cup with six goals in 120 minutes. One of the best games in the history of this sport did not need a similar action to be apotheotic. PSG won the Champions League, beating Liverpool, Arsenal and 5-0 at Inter Milan without an anti-game, just with football.
There was a time when it was normal to go to a game and shout sexist, homophobic and racist insults. I remember it was common to say “you can only talk about these things inside the stadium”. That was “part of football”. Today it shouldn’t be anymore and there’s no need for it. Times have changed, we have changed, and everyone has realized that a playing field cannot be an appendage of society.
Those who argue that Andreas has the right to cheat and the referee is the one who should be aware and punish him starts from the premise that there is no problem in acting badly, as long as he is not caught.
Another problem is the interference of the São Paulo TJD. Taking the Palmeiras player to trial is excessively bureaucratizing the sport. If Raphael Klaus, the game’s referee, had seen the action being analyzed, he would have shown yellow. And the court should not judge cases of minor infractions. The issue is more moral than practical — and in some cases what is morally wrong is more important than its practical consequence.
In the end, the “football cheating” that is being personified in Andreas Pereira is what should be on the agenda. Is anything-goes-to-win correct? Is it worth setting a bad example for children who start to like football and imitate their idols? Shouldn’t players help referees build a healthier football environment?
All these questions seem to me to have very simple answers.
Football is a reflection of society. And it only improves if everyone does their part to achieve it. Andreas slipped badly. Uglier than Memphis.
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