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I don’t know how many of us noticed Shahid Afridi in the center of the park yesterday, during the first T20 between England and Pakistan. He was seen in the middle talking to Shoaib Malik, the captain of Pakistan in yesterday’s game. This happened during the innings break, as his team warmed up with some fielding drills. Most importantly, throughout the game he was sitting on the bench along with the players and officials who were (officially) part of the game.
This makes one think if Afridi was punished at all.
In football, when a player is red carded he is lead out of the field of play, which includes the dugout. Post being red carded the player also undergoes a suspension from the subsequent matches, as per the rules applicable. Even during this time the player is not allowed into the field of play. Many a times, we have seen footballers serving a suspension watching their team from the stands. That is how far a suspended player could get.
This brings us to the question if Afridi served any punishment at all ?
Is it ethical for a suspended player to access the dressing room / dugout during a match ?
Even if he reaches as far as the dugout, can he be allowed by the officials into the field of play ?
If Afridi can do that yesterday, then why can’t the match fixers, drug cheats and others do the same in the future ?
Or may be Mr Madugalle gave Afridi something of a house arrest equivalent, serve your sentence being present in the field of play.
This makes one think if Afridi was punished at all.
In football, when a player is red carded he is lead out of the field of play, which includes the dugout. Post being red carded the player also undergoes a suspension from the subsequent matches, as per the rules applicable. Even during this time the player is not allowed into the field of play. Many a times, we have seen footballers serving a suspension watching their team from the stands. That is how far a suspended player could get.
This brings us to the question if Afridi served any punishment at all ?
Is it ethical for a suspended player to access the dressing room / dugout during a match ?
Even if he reaches as far as the dugout, can he be allowed by the officials into the field of play ?
If Afridi can do that yesterday, then why can’t the match fixers, drug cheats and others do the same in the future ?
Or may be Mr Madugalle gave Afridi something of a house arrest equivalent, serve your sentence being present in the field of play.
10 comments:
I am not very sure.. but i don't think the same rule is applicable in cricket as well. I mean the players who are suspended in an ODI or test, are always seen in the pavilion.
Valid Point there! Why ban him for namesake if he was allowed to do all these things?
A banned player in dug-out and over that entering field? If you ask me he shouldn't have been allowed to enter the stadium
I agree with you.
"If Afridi can do that yesterday, then why can’t the match fixers, drug cheats and others do the same in the future ?"
sums up the pov well.
I agree with Trideep that cricket and football are different; and unlike football where tactics are made and imparted through out the game duration; from the fringes of the playground; cricket doesn't need such a tactical dynamism; hence in latter it's very unlikely anyone can affect the game from the fringes.
But still, there's always a possibility of some foul play. So why make slack rules and then allow all to point fingers. Why not bar a punished player from the stadium for the ban duration. This is much easy an option.
@Trideep: Football was just a point of reference. The actual point is what Sujan says...
Though I wouldn't be as harsh like Sujan & A Bisht, I would rather not let him board the team bus or enter the dressing room/ dugout till the sentence is served....
@ Rajab
I advocate barring from stadium altogether; as when it comes to humans, societal links come into play. If a player sits and interacts with players, journalists and others related to cricket during non-punishment days; will it be hard from him to get concessions on a particular day. Barring from stadium, makes ban more easier to implement.
"Is it ethical for a suspended player to access the dressing room / dugout during a match ?"
Why not? He IS part of the squad.
"If Afridi can do that yesterday, then why can’t the match fixers, drug cheats and others do the same in the future ?"
They can, if they get selected for the squad despite the ban. Their bans are usually much longer, so they don't.
"This brings us to the question if Afridi served any punishment at all ?"
Er... yes. He couldn't bat, bowl or field.
Maybe the footballers should lighten up a little instead.
Didn't Bhajji rush to the ground after India's win during the WACA test, though he was banned? I guess in cricket things are done differently.
Actually I think officially Bhajji was "rested" for that match not banned...so he was allowed to get on the field..contrat with when gambhi was banned for elbowing..he was not on the field or in the presentations!
football is a different ball game buddy you can not compare football with cricket
@Anon: Ball games are different for sure, but discipline has the same meaning across balls and games... be it football or surfing, Afridi or Harbajan or Zidane the rule should be "If you don't adhere to the set rules, you are out and OUT in bold !!"
I have said this before and I repeat... these are guys our kids look up to. And therefore we deserve better role models.
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