From a young age, football players are taught the importance of fair play. Sportsmanship is a fundamental aspect of the sport, essential for the smooth functioning of matches and competitions. Amidst the rivalries and emotions that come with a football game, this side of the sport can sometimes be forgotten, but when it does come to the forefront, it’s always worth highlighting. To celebrate fair play, we’ve put together a list of some of the most notable demonstrations of sportsmanship in football over the past few years.
One of the most recent examples of fair play came from Patrick Dorgu. During Manchester United’s Europa League match against Real Sociedad, Dorgu had the opportunity to win a penalty for his team, but instead, he chose to overturn the decision, gesturing to the referee that it wasn’t a foul. The VAR review agreed with Dorgu, and the penalty was cancelled. This selfless act showcases the true spirit of fair play and sets a high standard for other players to follow.
Another notable example of fair play is the story of Robbie Fowler, who, back in 1997, was involved in an incident during a match between Liverpool and Arsenal. Fowler was awarded a penalty after being brought down by Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman, but he protested the decision, indicating that it wasn’t a foul. Despite his honesty, the referee still awarded the penalty, and Fowler went on to take it, but deliberately shot it weakly, allowing Seaman to make the save. Fowler’s actions that day earned him a UEFA Fair Play award, cementing his reputation as a true sportsman.
Galeno, a former player for FC Porto, has also shown his commitment to fair play on multiple occasions. In one instance, he kicked the ball out of play after a Shakhtar Donetsk player was injured, allowing medical staff to attend to him. This act of kindness was recognized by the UEFA, who praised Galeno for his sportsmanship. More recently, Galeno repeated this gesture, stopping play after João Cancelo was injured, demonstrating that his commitment to fair play remains unwavering.
In 1999, a match between Sheffield United and Arsenal took an interesting turn when Lee Morris, a Sheffield United player, was injured. Arsenal goalkeeper Alan Kelly kicked the ball out of play to allow Morris to receive treatment, but instead of returning the ball to Arsenal, Nwankwo Kanu picked it up and passed it to Marc Overmars, who scored. The match ended 2-1 in Arsenal’s favor, but after the game, Arsène Wenger proposed a rematch due to the circumstances surrounding the goal. The rematch took place 10 days later, and Arsenal won again, 2-1.
Pepê, a Brazilian player, has also demonstrated his commitment to fair play. During a match between FC Porto and Estoril, Pepê stopped play after Pedro Amaral was injured, allowing him to receive medical attention. This act of kindness was recognized by the league, who praised Pepê for his sportsmanship.
Paolo Di Canio, a former player for West Ham, is also remembered for his fair play. In 2000, during a match against Everton, Di Canio caught the ball instead of scoring an easy goal, as the Everton goalkeeper, Paul Gerrard, was injured. This act of kindness earned Di Canio a standing ovation from the crowd and a FIFA Fair Play award.
In 2007, Leicester City players showed their commitment to fair play during a match against Nottingham Forest. The original match had been abandoned due to an injury to Clive Clarke, and in the rematch, Leicester allowed Nottingham Forest to score a goal without opposition, as a sign of respect. The match ended 3-2 in Leicester’s favor, but the true victory was the display of sportsmanship shown by both teams.
Miroslav Klose, a former German striker, was known for his honesty on the field. During a match between Lazio and Napoli in 2012, Klose scored a goal with his hand, but instead of celebrating, he informed the referee of the incident, and the goal was disallowed. This act of fair play is a testament to Klose’s character and sportsmanship.
These stories demonstrate that fair play is still alive and well in football. They remind us that, even in the heat of competition, players can choose to act with kindness, respect, and integrity. As we celebrate these acts of fair play, we’re reminded that the true spirit of the game is about more than just winning – it’s about how we play the game, and the values we uphold along the way.