Footballers cannot be role models to rioters: our lives are too remote | David James

But the clubs and players must play a more active role in their communities

watch the news channel of my wife the other day, I was surprised to hear a young worker who has a go at players in the context of riots last week. I know people like the bad news of football (when not busy glorifying their star performers), but to suggest that football is somehow responsible - or irresponsible act of violence - it does not sense to me

man casually pedaled usual stereotypes player - we are all in excess casseroles are a negative influence on young people today - tar-brushing an entire profession for the actions of some . He suggested that instead of footballers on Twitter riots that they should give money for charity.

How ironic that a young worker who supposedly fights against the prejudices that have arisen in some sectors of our society - that is, young men in black inner cities - is happy in the stereotype of the football fraternity

While the media and politicians are desperate for someone to blame for the riots, always pointing at each other, it is interesting to see how many people have called the players to present themselves as models before and talk to the youth of today. But I wonder if the players are really the best people to talk to those involved in the chaos. Leaving aside the fact that the rioters and looters appear to be formed by a large segment of society - men and women, young children, middle-aged unemployed people who have respectable jobs, from all ethnic backgrounds - I wonder why everyone thinks that the Declaration of Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney can change the destiny of the nation.

that addressed the wrong name players who models in an earlier column, and as I wrote then, I still believe that parents should be the main models for their children. I'm not sure that young people today refer to the players. While most of us have had an Education Council of State, most communities live far away to enjoy a lifestyle that is light years ahead of children who speak. For me personally, 25 years ago I lived at home, Rio was at least a decade. At that time, much has changed, we are different generations with different language and a completely different way of communication.

Watching television coverage of the riots, I heard some people involved say they were angered by government cutbacks and the effects they have had in the life of the community. They are the same people who will really listen to a millionaire footballer living in a luxurious mansion to tell people who are struggling to survive in a calm state of the board?

Wayne and Rio have both Twitter on the riots, and a host of other celebrities. A tweet in particular that I read was a well known radio host said he hoped that all the protesters died of cancer. Strewth. I can guarantee you that if a football player has been written that would have been condemned as deeply reckless, another example of why players are bad for society. A rule for the players, one for radio DJ

For players who use Twitter and comment every day - sometimes hourly - basis is logical that the opinions expressed on the events that made headlines around the world. After all, if you can be bothered to comment on the color of the laces, so why not comment on the riots? But I can not help but think that football can play a much more useful - role in assisting communities with attractive local projects - and active. Not only to visit the hospital's annual club appears on Sky TV, movies, cut a few strokes of the players standing next to hospital beds and then asks the star striker of the great game on Saturday. I mean, time and effort in building a relationship with the communities from which the football club is a part.

I think long-term partnership with a community is much more beneficial than someone in Twitter by taking two seconds to write. "Stop violence" Making a connection with the first community and carry a message far more. And although necessarily gawp astronomical sums in the past before the end of the transfer and whether a greater percentage of the club's finances could go to community work, I think the gift of time can be as powerful as get the checkbook . For this, I'm glad the city of Bristol, located in a city affected by the riots, have plans to greatly expand their own community projects this season.

As for who should comment on the politics of it all, in my opinion is to let the person to make that decision. Aside from the games have been suspended following the riots, there is no clear relationship between football and disorder. I think we all agree that football could do socially, but I'm not sure to make big statements for a generation far removed from our own experience is really the way forward.
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