04 July 2008

Is sport outside the law?

I've had this argument with various folk (some of whom I'm related to) on and off over the years: Why is it that we are more willing to forgive breaches in the law when they occur in relation to some sporting activity?

Take this guy: He was playing football, he hit someone, and is surprised that he's been found of assault and given a jail sentence. Why? Is the football ground part of a Neverland where one does not have to answer to the law? Does that chalk line along the field boundary mark the end of the State's reach? I don't think so.

Oh, but it's part of the game; football has a rich tradition of violence; it's not his fault.

Bullshit.

Regardless of what other players may or may not have done in the past, the rules state that hitting someone (other than several approved methods that wouldn't necessarily constitute assault anyway, like the venerable Hip And Shoulder). So he broke both the rules of the game and the laws of the state.

Oh, but the other team shouldn't have dobbed him in; there was bad blood between him and the opposing club; they would have let any other player get away with it.

Again, bullshit. Regardless of the other club's actions and motivations HE was found guilty because HE assaulted the other player. Why is it we seek to divert personal responsibility for someone's actions by using irrelevant arguments like "no one else got caught"?!? It's just like those fools that keep saying "speed cameras" (or red-light cameras, or parking inspectors, or whatever) "are there to raise revenues for the government." So what? If you don't want to provide them with that revenue, DON'T SPEED!

Argh, I'm too angry. I'm going for a walk.
 
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