Abu Dhabi: Logging on to social media and expressing one’s views has now become the norm. It can be the best medium for speaking your mind and even releasing frustrations, and gaining immense satisfaction. However, for the pros, it also has repercussions.
Irresponsible use of social media has often landed people in trouble and sports personalities are no exception.
The Arabian Gulf League (AGL) has seen its share of controversies triggered by social media witticisms, with Al Ain’s new signing Ryan Babel in hot water after he appeared to make a sexist remark on Twitter in response to a Liverpool supporter, who questioned his apparent criticism of the Reds’ former boss Rafael Benitez.
On Thursday, he was again tweeting, coming to the aid of former teammate Steven Gerrard in the latter’s racism row with El Hadji Diouf.
Chilean star Jorge Valdivia is also under a cloud after he unknowingly uttered an inappropriate Arabic word against his former team Al Ain, falling prey to a ploy by an Al Wahda fan. The video was uploaded on social media and created quite a furore.
And the trouble doesn’t end there for the ace medio, who has played just one match for Al Wahda so far. He was again in trouble after video of his disrespectful finger gestures to the crowd during the match against Al Shabab ended up on social media.
The Chilean tried to clear the air in a statement, saying that it was directed at a group of friends and was a sign that is regularly exchanged between friends in Brazil and Portugal as a joke and does not hold any negative connotations. However, the end result was a two-match ban and Dh15000 fine from the UAE FA.
Al Wahda coach Javier Aguirre has agreed it was difficult to put a complete ban on players using social media, but urged them to use caution.
“I know nothing about social media. I have no Facebook account and no Twitter account. So I don’t know what happens in social media and may not be able to comment on the impact these things may have on the players. However, I did have a word with my players about their actions,” Aguirre said.
Al Wahda’s Argentinian striker Sebastian Tagliabue accepted he has made a conscious effort not to indulge much in social media to stay away from such controversies.
“My social media activity is restricted to my family and close friends as these things can lead to trouble. Some people can mislead and make social media a tool to offend and abuse players,” he said. “Valdivia is new at the club and was misled at the start.
“I know a bit of this region, having played in Saudi Arabia and now in the UAE. I know where to draw the line. Even if somebody asks me to say something, I look around and check with others.”
