A quick post from me before I head off for a couple of days with work. I couldn’t go away without putting together the top 2 twitter/sport stories that have made the mainstream media headlines.
Once again, the Liverpool footballer put his foot in it with a well thought out tweet following the Manchester United v Liverpool game yesterday. The mocking up of referee Howard Webb in a Man Utd shirt was probably some of his most creative work to date but has landed him in how water with the FA. It was taken down shortly afterwards with an apology to the most unpopular person on the red side of the Mersey; “My apology if they take my posted pic seriously. This is just a emotional reaction after losing an important game”
The son of new Liverpool Manager Kenny Dalglish, Paul, also vented his anger on Twitter; “Howard Webb MBE. Manc of the Busby Era. I am not normally bitter, as you know, but it is different rules against them.” And following that up with “Fergie has his puppet Howard Webb on a piece of string.” Together with a photo of Fergie with his arm round Webb.
Not a great time for Liverpool FC off or on the pitch at the moment. Johnsomn turned on Sky Sports football pundit and ex-Arsenal footballer Paul Merson with an angry tirade after ‘Merse’ had questioned his attitude in recent games. He tweeted; ”Comments from alcoholic drug-abusers are not really gonna upset me. The only reason he’s on that show is coz he gambled all his money away. The clown!”
Liverpool have a very proactive attitude towards social media and been one of the pioneers on Twitter and Facebook in the Premier League. It will be interesting to see how they and others view players being on the platforms if they continue to get caught out and also how the FA will view Babels’ swipe at Howard Webb or is it just players exercising their right to freedom of speech?
UPDATE – Ryan Babel has been charged by the FA with Improper Conduct. Be interesting see how they see it and the effect it will have on clubs.
Meanwhile, the Scottish FA have written to every club warning them that the abuse of officials on social networks will incur the penalty of Improper Conduct.
It's difficult to prevent or refuse access of modern day sportsmen/women to twitter and other social networking outlets. But like in any industry they need to be stringently briefed on the 'do's and don'ts' when representing their club/brand on any medium.
140 characters can do a lot of damage to PR – just ask Kevin Pietersen!!
It wasn’t Ryan Babels creative work my friend he was just forwarding the image someone posted to him.