Sports Fans. What are you actually watching?

[teamsaint]

The latest round of allegations about match fixing and spread betting in football seems sure to have big repercussions throughout the game.
I just wondered what attitudes fans of cricket and football have at present, with regard to the integrity of the sports.

One might think that the huge money in PL football and Test level cricket might help keep them immune to the problems.
Personally, I stopped really believing what I see in ODI's some time ago, and doubts are surely but slowly creeping in elsewhere. I think I wasn't the one who raised an eyebrow at Nani's sending off in the CL game against Real Madrid last season, not that I am suggesting he was up to no good, obviously !!
And its not just ex portsmouth players !!!!! Sadly, Matt Le Tissier admitted a spot of shenanigans in this regard , with games played over 10 years ago.

Any thoughts, sports lovers? Are you happy that your ticket money is to watch a real sporting event, or is it like WWF wrestling with a ball thrown in?

[teamsaint]

The authorities seem pretty complacent to me.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25312631

Nobody else worried about it?

[french frank]

The authorities seem pretty complacent to me.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25312631

Nobody else worried about it?

A 'hastily arranged summit' between the sports high-ups and the politicians to discuss - corruption ... hmmm

[EdgeleyRob]

It's a worry for sure,you do see some odd things from time to time at the footy.
Hard to believe that SCFC play as bad as they do on purpose though.

[Padraig]

The authorities seem pretty complacent to me.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25312631

Nobody else worried about it?

Football and cricket are not my sports, ts, nor rugby or gaelic football. I suppose my mother kept me from children who were rough. What I hear and read however is not good, and cheating puts the tin hat on it. I play and watch golf which is hardly considered a sport in this place, but which nevertheless I recommend. I consider it an honourable sport, and I believe its high (earning) practitioners play with the highest integrity. Are there any cheats? Well, a viewer spotted an incident on TV- I missed it myself - and it resulted in this:

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/12/05/golf-european-dyson-idUKL4N0JK3JZ20131205

What did he do? He tapped down a spike mark on the green as he marked and lifted his ball prior to putting.

[teamsaint]

A 'hastily arranged summit' between the sports high-ups and the politicians to discuss - corruption ... hmmm

and a hastily arranged statement.doesn't inspire that much confidence.
What worries me is that people initially thought that minor scandals in cricket were trivial "one offs", the odd "bad apple" and so on.

Any level of complacency is completely unacceptable. Cycling and drugs spring to mind as well, and there are huge investigations into football in Europe.

Despite Padraigs confidence in the small ball game, (not hurling) spread betting will infect everywhere at some point, i'm afraid. Golf must be wide open to it, especially with the number of guys scratching a living on the circuit.

[Serial_Apologist]

The latest round of allegations about match fixing and spread betting in football seems sure to have big repercussions throughout the game.
I just wondered what attitudes fans of cricket and football have at present, with regard to the integrity of the sports.

A good chance for a new resolution to quit while the going's finally recognised as not so good, I would have thought, and rather than wasting any more of what is quite possibly one's only life, take up another, more self-determining hobby.

[teamsaint]

A good chance for a new resolution to quit while the going's finally recognised as not so good, I would have thought, and rather than wasting any more of what is quite possibly one's only life, take up another, more self-determining hobby.

I think you will find that multi tasking is the answer to the problem S_A.

but I'm sure sports nuts will value your advice on alternative pastimes.

Lets start a list !!

(almost ANYTHING is cheaper than PL footy). BPO/Rattle at RFH £25, Saints V Hull £30.

[Serial_Apologist]

I think you will find that multi tasking is the answer to the problem S_A.

No good telling me, TS!

[teamsaint]

interesting article from the BBC.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25339340

[Beef Oven!]

interesting article from the BBC.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25339340

Very sad to read this about our beautiful game. Possibly the best of the gifts that England has given to the world.

[amateur51]

Very sad to read this about our beautiful game. Possibly the best of the gifts that England has given to the world.

Could we make that 'Britain' please?

[Beef Oven!]

Could we make that 'Britain' please?

Sure, or let's say Wales. But don't forget the English invented the game

[amateur51]

Sure, or let's say Wales. But don't forget the English invented the game

My hometown team in North Wales will be 150 years old in 2014. Cue Scottish reps to add their four pennorth