Author: arthur thackerarthur thacker Date: Apr 3, 2008 12:34
...with saying or mouthing "Fuck off!" at the referee? It's nothing new.
Footballers have always said or mouthed "Fuck off!" at referees. It's been
there as long as the game of football itself, a phenomenon ever-present
since the inception of the Beautiful Game almost a century and a half ago
now. Indeed, since Old Etonians midfielder Geoffrey Phuilbin was first drawn
in 'Punch' saying or mouthing "Fuck off!" at a referee during an FA Cup game
against Oxford University in 1876, it has been part and parcel of the game
we all know and love so much.
Granted, the FA were keen to clamp down on such verbal expression of
profanity; so much so that a directive was issued in May of 1877 to the
effect: 'It shall henceforth be positively discouraged, condemned, denounced
and heartily decried in every manner possible that the saying or mouthing of
"Fuck off!" to referees be in any way deemed acceptable. Moreover, you can't
be calling them cunts neither.' That was how serious such behaviour was seen
to be in those far-off days.
Sir Bobby Charlton, a well-known boring bastard who famously never put a
fucking foot wrong during an illustrious career, did he? Oh no, has this to
say..."Of course, people mostly know me as a clean...
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