Loop Comments: Do Footballers hold too much power in society?

by Jacob Gilbride

In light of the recent media attention Kurt Zouma has received after the video of him kicking the family cat was exposed to the public, questions have been asked about the status of Footballers as ‘role models’ and whether they are given preferential treatment in matters that would be deemed highly inappropriate for normal citizens. Zouma was fined £250,000 by the club (this money would go back to the club) but was allowed to play in the subsequent football match. Should the power and position that footballers hold in society be reviewed or do their contributions to society outweigh the minority who exploit this power?

The few footballers who hold the position in society and abuse it should be held accountable for their actions and should not reflect the image of other footballers who represent a hard working role model to younger generations. I believe Kurt Zouma should not have started for West Ham on Tuesday night. Although I completely agree that what he has done is wrong, the club should not have fined him 250,000 as this would not have happened if he was not a footballer. I believe the club should not try to play the role of the court as this gives off a bad view to younger generations that if they become footballers they only have the club to answer to and they are above the law. However the fine is nowhere compatible with the consequences he should face as even though 250,000 is a large sum of money, it is mere pocket money for a player who earns 125,000 per week. He should face charges for animal abuse and be treated the same as any other member of the public. However he has a large social media presence and status as a role model which can be affected by what he does. I believe this is what should change and that he should not be treated differently because of who he is.