Source: Daily_Mail
RESPECT STARTS IN THE STANDS: Help Sportsmail produce a fans' behaviour charter
Football fans want their idols to behave and treat them with respect. But supporters are not very good at behaving in a respectful way towards the stars on the playing surface - respect starts in the stands.
The raw anger and hate was there for all to see at Eastlands, etched across the faces of scores of visiting Arsenal fans when former Emirates player Emmanuel Adebayor raced the length of the pitch to celebrate his goal during Manchester City's 4-2 win right under their noses.
Ill-advised as it was, former Liverpool and England star Jamie Redknapp claims that Adebayor's reaction was understandable - even though he doesn't condone the striker's actions - because 'when the chance of retaliation comes, control is difficult to maintain. The moment takes a hold, the emotion wins the day.'
'It's not just what you endure personally, either. It's your wife in the street or on the school run, your parents, your friends. And your children in the school playground. When the chance of retaliation comes, control is difficult to maintain.
Respect is very much a two-way process and here at Sportsmail HQ we'd like your help producing a fans' charter - a set of rules, if you will, to outline what is acceptable behaviour in our football stadia and what's not.
Here's what we've come up with, let's us know what you think and provide your suggestions for The Sportsmail Fans' Charter - we promise to publish a finished article and send a copy to the official supporters' clubs at every Barclays Premier League club to remind them that 'Respect Starts In The Stands'.
THE DOs
1. Thou shall sing for the full 90 minutes
2. Thou shall celebrate all your team's goals wildly
3. Thou shall boo players who left your club or played for your rivals
4. Thou shall get annoyed if a corner fails to beat the first man
5. Thou shall point out those who dive to the ref (and to Sportsmail)
THE DON'Ts
1. Thou shall not use overtly foul or abusive language
2. Thou shall not direct abuse to a players' family
3. Thou shall not be made to pay over the odds for a ticket
4. Thou shall not step foot on to the pitch or throw anything on to the pitch
5. Thou shall not complain about the lack of cover over the away end - it's all part of being one of the hardcore
Now have your say, using the comments section below...
