Why is tolerating the unthinkable a skill that elite football clubs need?

Unpopular opinion it seems but we are all innocent until proven guilty.

This week brings yet another story about an elite footballer accused of rape.  It’s not the only allegation of rape he faces either.  If guilty, this man is a serial rapist who seems unable to stop.  Women’s groups are understandably outraged.  Anger and disgust are our natural responses.

However, calls for his suspension undermine the basic principles of justice.  He has the right to be treated as innocent until proven guilty.  Even if we’ve all decided in our minds that he’s guilty as sin.

His performance apparently isn’t affected by these allegations.  And unlike a teacher or a policeman, his presence at work whilst doing his job presumably doesn’t pose a risk to any women?  So surely, he has the same right to be selected as any other first team player who’s playing at their peak? 

I’m as surprised as the next person that someone could face such serious allegations without their performance being affected.  But in the world of elite sport, it makes sense.  Elite sport cultivates this ability to ignore what you feel during adolescence – a key time for psychological development.  Athletes are taught to push through.  The only thing that matters is the task in hand.  The next match, the next tournament.  This can produce a disconnect.  Where you don’t know what you’re feeling.  Possibly part of this player’s problems in the first place.

So, what should the club do? Of course, they could continue to select him if his performance warrants it.  After all, an athlete performing at their peak but left on the bench would signal that something was amiss.  But if they were looking after his welfare, maybe now would be time to be enforcing a break.  After all, we are much more likely to incur injuries when we’re stressed. And innocent or guilty, it’s hard to imagine this player is psychologically at his peak.

Now is also a time when the club should be reflecting on whether there were signs which they’ve failed to act on.  Were there indications this player was behaving in ways that leave him open to allegations of rape?

Could the club have taken any action that would have either protected these women or the player from this scenario arising?  Sometimes you need to be able to tolerate the unthinkable to see where danger lies. That’s hard to do when you’re on the inside.  And that’s why being a closed institution increases risk.  

Sport has a responsibility to look outside itself for the right guidance.  Not just to ensure their athlete’s welfare.   When people disconnect from their emotions, they can end up hurting those around them as well.  Ask those married to people who excessively drink, gamble, use drugs and yes, use sex too.  There is plenty of psychological expertise that clubs could draw on but when it comes to recognising behaviour that is heading towards criminal, they’re unlikely to find it amongst those whose careers have been mainly in sport.  I will happily point them in the right direction.