There can be no excuse for abuse of players

ONE of the hottest topics in football over the past few weeks has been the abuse of footballers.

Only yesterday, Rangers striker Nacho Novo was pouring his heart out in the Press claiming his life as an Old Firm player means he regularly suffers abuse, intimidation, vandalism and even death threats.

This revelation follows hard on the heels of the appalling conduct of Spurs fans at Fratton Park last week, where they mercilessly baited former Tottenham player Sol Campbell about rumours over his sexual tendencies.

Less than a month ago, Emile Heskey was subjected to racist taunts by Croatian supporters when playing for England in Zagreb.

And if that wasn't bad enough, it's only a matter of weeks since Celtic coach and former player Neil Lennon was assaulted in the West End of Glasgow following the first Old Firm derby this season.

Going through each case one by one, it's clear that while there is a certain amount of sympathy for footballers who are the targets of bigots and racists, I get the impression most people think it comes with the territory of being a professional sportsman.

The most popular response I hear on the subject goes something along the lines of: 'Well, they get paid a fortune for playing football, it's part and parcel of the game so they should just get on with it'.

What has a person's salary got to do with serious issues such as these, where we're talking about subjects that affect not just the footballing public, but society as a whole? I'm amazed people think it's acceptable to abuse someone in such a manner and then write it off as idle banter purely because the target happens to be well-paid.

Novo, for example, seems to be the most popular victim for Celtic fans just now.

Other than the fact he continually declares his undying love for Rangers and that he happens to have scored against their arch-rivals on numerous occasions it's difficult to work out why he has become a figure of hate.

It seems in the eyes of some, they don't need any particular reason to get stuck in.

It may be true that players sometimes attract attention to themselves unnecessarily – I've come across plenty with personalised number plates which wouldn't need a genius to work out who the car belongs to – but for the most part, I'd say footballers are a responsible bunch.

In the case of Campbell, how the police, the FA and the Premier League choose to deal with this situation may well influence the behaviour of football supporters up and down the country for many years to come.

It really is important the authorities get it right but, based on the token gesture of support offered to Heskey after the abuse he received in Croatia last month, we shouldn't hold our breath.

Case of swings and roundabouts for Hibs and Hearts

WHETHER or not either of the two Edinburgh clubs are up to challenging for a UEFA Cup slot come next May is still open to conjecture, but already it's looking like there could a battle royal just to claim the mantle of top team in the Capital this season.

After winning three of their opening four league games Hearts' early-season form seemed to suggest they had turned over a new leaf, buoyed by the new management style of Csaba Laszlo. Subsequent results have shown the Jambos are far from the finished article, more a work in progress.

The feelgood factor at Tynecastle is disappearing fast amid rumours of financial trouble and some insipid performances, none more so than Saturday's home defeat against Kilmarnock.

Hibs have turned the corner it would seem – winning three of their last four matches – though it's fair to say some of their victories have carried a measure of good fortune.

Derek Riordan was amongst the goals again at the weekend with a fine double at Pittodrie, but the main talking point was the ridiculous decision by referee Mike McCurry, who failed to spot Steven Fletcher at least three yards offside as he tried to slot home from close range.

It led, of course, to Hibs being awarded a penalty from which the winning goal was scored. This has to go down as the worst blunder by an official this season and what makes it even worse is that neither linesman spotted the transgression.

After the hullabaloo surrounding his poor performance at Ibrox last season, I have a feeling Mr McCurry may be about to receive a large custard pie from the SFA. Next stop Elgin, perhaps?