Male footballers should learn from the women’s game on how to be aggressive without cheating.
So says Gordon Smith, former chief executive of the SFA , as he prepares to take part in the latest of The Herald on Sunday’s Cool Conversations.
Mr Smith - along with Partick Thistle chairwoman Jacqui Low - will talk to football vlogger Si Ferry, one of The Herald on Sunday’s 100 coolest Scots, and TV presenter Amy Irons and the Edinburgh Grand on April 18.
Speaking ahead of the event, the one-time Rangers and Manchester City player said the thing that irritated him most about football were men over-reacting to tackles, in a bid to get opponents booked.
He said: “When I was at the SFA I brought in the retrospective punishment for cheating - or simulation as they call it. That was one thing I wanted to change in the game.
“This is not something you get in the women’s game. Women don’t overreact to tackle. People see the women are aggressive but they can take the challenges without all the showmanship.”
Mr Smith also has strong views on how to deal with aggression off the pitch. He backs a limited form of strict liability, the rules adopted in some countries which sees clubs punished for the offending of their fans. Sanctions - under the various schemes in place - can include fines, point reductions or full or partial stadium closures.
Clubs have been resistant to any scheme under which they were held responsible for the behaviour of their fans.
He said: “I would bring in strict liability, but only for actions if it is a large part of support that are singing of chanting inappropriate words. That is how we can solve crowd-wide football trouble.
“When it comes to individuals doing things, either inappropriate or criminal, that is when the club can help, not least with their stadium cameras, but should not be punished.
“Offenders can be banned from games or face criminal sanctions.”
Spurred by new scenes of hooliganism across Scottish grounds, Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf this week threatened to act himself if clubs did not take “meaningful action” to bring crowds in to control .
Mr Smith added: “The clubs have all realised something has to be done before the government steps in. The last thing we want is the government interfering in sport.”
To book tickets for the April 18 event, just go to the Edinburgh Grand website at www.lateralcity.com/events.
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