A recent issue has risen in the world of soccer (football) that links right in with the article Ethical Decision-Making: Issues and Applications to American Sport by James Conn and Daniel Gerdes. Conn and Gerdes have done a wonderful job providing definitions and examples of ethical instances. The win-at-all-cost attitude is mentioned which is fueled by the competitive mentality of most athletes. The article gives a nice overview of ethical and unethical decisions that are made by players. The players are not the only ones involved in making ethical decisions; the athletic department, athletic director, coaching staff, referees, parents, as well as the players are all responsible in upholding the ethics involved in the game. The best way to get the feel for the article in short is to read how Conn and Gerdes put it.
"In sum, when the outcome becomes so highly significant that some or all of the participants employ whatever means possible to achieve success, then the questionable behavior is covertly or overtly employed, to the detriment of values and sound character, and the ideals of sport."
On August, 26, 2009 the unethical decision of Arsenal striker Eduardo caused quite a stir in the world of soccer. A brief recap of this situation is that during a Champion's League Qualifier game against Celtic, Eduardo used 'stimulation' to win a penalty shot. This means that a player falsified being hit (kicked, pushed, tripped) to win a call from the referee. During the play of this game, the referee saw that incident and ruled that Eduardo was taken down by the Celtic goalie and a penalty shot was awarded. It was not until after the conclusion of the game that the Union of European Football Association (UEFA) reviewed pictures regarding the incident and concluded that Eduardo was to be charged with "deceiving the referee" for diving. The UEFA suspended Eduardo for 2 club competition matches.
The back story to this is that this is the first time that a disciplinary board has opened the doors to reviewing a referees call. Here's my take on it though, it's about time- the first judgement call has to be made somewhere and someone has to be made an example of. I feel that any player doing something to deceive the referee is cheating. It is not fair, and furthermore it sheds a dark light on that player, his team, and on up to the game itself. The UEFA acted in accordance to Article 10, paragraph 1c which states:
"Players may be suspended for two competition matches, or for a specified period, for acting with the obvious intent to cause any match official to make an incorrect decision or supporting his error of judgement and thereby causing him to make an incorrect decision."
This situation is not a question of should the UEFA be able to bring these charges against the player, they are the disciplinary board, that is what they are there for. The situation boils right down to ethics. Was the player acting fair in his decision or was it for personal gain? If nothing was done about this instance, then someone else would have continued to do it. If the UEFA allowed this to continue without bringing sanctions against anyone, that would be equivalent of saying it's OK to cheat in the game of soccer.
I have no affiliation to either team that played in that match, and I honestly had never heard or Eduardo until this story. For me it's not a question of who the player is or which team won, it's how this situation has made soccer look. This event happened in Europe, but it tarnishes the game of soccer everywhere. I am so glad that something was done and judgement calls were made. The player made and unethical decision, but the UEFA did the right thing by bringing it to attention and bringing consequences because of it. I believe the UEFA toughened the name of soccer and made it known (finally) that this isn't a push-over sport and it's going to be played with integrity by all players or they wont play.
Think about this: today is one day before the 8th anniversary of the September 11th attacks on this country. If I could ask that you do one thing it would be to remember the love and the kindness and the willingness to help our fellow Americans. Remember that and share those feelings with someone today. Maybe someone you know, or maybe a stranger. Those gestures should not just be reserved for a day of tragedy, everyday is a great day to pay it forward! And to quote the song, "You Never Know" by the Dave Matthews Band:
"But rushing around seems what's wrong with the world,
"But rushing around seems what's wrong with the world,
Don't lose the dreams inside your head."
