|
May 18, 2002 (Saturday) from
Jonathan Woodgate Club
Full marks to
Crozier on Woodgate veto
By Jeff Powell
It is by no means every day that the Football Association of England can be seen
in all honesty as the guardian of our sporting virtues and moral values.
There have been too many times when the national game has made us all cringe at
its frothing greed and self-serving cynicism. We could have been forgiven for
despairing of a game in which money and results have taken precedence so often
over the true ethos of sport.
Which is what makes this week such a welcome landmark.
The decision to omit Jonathan Woodgate from the England squad goes to the very
core of this country's self-respect and the fundamental precepts of our society.
Had Woodgate come into contention for a World Cup voyage to Japan by playing
against Italy in his adopted home town of Leeds, incalculable damage would have
been done.
Yes, he has served his prescribed sentence. But Woodgate's part in a vicious
incident, during which his friend assaulted a teenager in the city, has not been
expunged from the public consciousness by a hundred hours of community service.
Far from it.
Whether Sven Goran Eriksson was aware of that when he began casting around for
an extra centre half and set his sights on Woodgate is unclear. After all, he
was imported from Sweden to restore England's World Cup fortunes not to correct
the modern failings of the world's
oldest democracy.
But what cannot be in doubt is that his direct employer spelled out the issues
to the manager in no uncertain terms.
Adam Crozier made an uneven start as the FA's smooth new chief executive but his
unshakeable grip on the Leeds affair confirms his growing awareness that this
job requires principle and stature, not posturing and spin.
No, Woodgate and Lee Bowyer would not be picked for their country while under
criminal charge. No, Woodgate is not welcome back in the squad after being
convicted for an offence which would preclude him from travelling abroad as a
fan to watch England play.
If anyone doesn't like it, as many in Leeds do not... tough.
And if Eriksson doesn't like being told whom he cannot pick... then he will have
to lump it, also.
Those who are accusing Crozier now of stage-managing a clever public relations
exercise would have been the first to condemn him for damaging the image of
English football had he bowed to the pragmatic expediency of Woodgate's
selection.
Crozier has taken a highly significant step up towards the moral high ground
which the FA abandoned the last time it had to make a moral judgment call in
relation to the World Cup. Then, his predecessors went back on their gentlemen's
agreement with Germany by going ahead with that shameful 2006 bid.
England were reminded then of how surely your sins will come back to haunt you.
So they would have done had the FA got this one wrong.
As one who marvelled at the best of all Leeds football as played under Don Revie
and who understands the importance to the Premiership of a power base in
Yorkshire, I derive not the slightest pleasure from seeing this great club's
revival stumble and stall.
But there can be no doubt that this season's fall from grace and the impending
break-up of a promising team under financial duress is linked to the Case of the
Leeds Two.
Chairman Peter Ridsdale is angered by Woodgate's exclusion now, just as he was
adamant that he and Bowyer should have been allowed to play for England while on
trial.
But Eriksson could not talk about keeping his barrel free of rotten apples and
then, in the next breath, inflict upon his squad the ferment of resentment and
controversy which would have been aroused in Leeds had Woodgate turned out in
the lilywhite shirt while a civil action against him and Bowyer is pending.
Not that England need an excuse for de-selecting anyone, all the old cliches
about the rights of men who have paid their debt to society notwithstanding.
Playing for England is not a right. It is an honour, a lucratively rewarding
privilege which brings with it a responsibility for conduct which sets a decent
public example. Crozier has re-imposed that higher standard, and with it a
burden upon the FA to enforce its duty
in all subsequent cases.
To put it in terms with which Messrs Woodgate and Bowyer have no doubt become
familiar during their nocturnal visits to establishments somewhat less
salubrious than their local football club... The
Management Reserves The Right To Refuse Admission.
¡@
¡@
Previous article: Leeds
go out with a whimper
Next article: Blackburn
bid for Woody
<<
Back to New and Articles
¡@ |
