October 24th, 2008
05:29 PM ET
No smoke without fire as Gallas riles Wenger
Arsenal captain William Gallas is under fire today, having been photographed leaving a London nightclub in the early hours with an unlit cigarette in his hand.
Arsene Wenger, known in the game for his strict discipline and attention to health and fitness, has condemned his captain’s behaviour as “unacceptable,” although he’s standing by him. (The Frenchman has upset Arsenal fans before with his sulky attitude on the field and occasional dodgy defending.)
Gallas isn’t the first to draw ire for this dirty habit: Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov have also been caught red-handed with a sneaky cig.
Is Wenger right? Is it unacceptable for footballers to smoke? Or does the odd smoky treat make little difference to players at the top of their game?
Wenger is right ,the footballers have a lot of influence and the kids seeing that would think smoking is a good thing.its not good to be seen in public with a cigi.
If it's not an illegal substance, it's basically nobody's business whether they choose to smoke or not. Are they going to let people tell them whether they can drink soft drinks, or will these grown men be restricted to milk only? How about coffee or tea? Wenger doesnt like caffeine, so will they have to give it up? How about sunlight? Wenger okay with melanoma?
Don't be ridiculous. These are not his children we are talking about.
for sure it isn't acceptable for footballers to smoke , because they're professionals and they shouldn't do so; however, the one who smokes is affecting his own career.Stirc players and coches do always achieve better ,and thus they are rewarder higher...
May i quote from your open words "the Frenchman has upset Arsenal fans before with his sulky attitude on the field and occasional dodgy defending.' will he play well when the supporters cheer him up? will he want to win the match or just want to play for fun? will he enjoy seeing his co team mate giving him over work? if a lion is strong to day he needs to be more stronger tomorrow, because more challenge will come, those he defeat today will prepare to fight back more hard next. what is leadership? is living and doing, he can only have moral justification to correct his team mate who are under his control, is not the issues of Rooney and others have done it in the past . A good father knows what is good for his child if the father is loving, the problem today is honor, dignity is not giving to men who younger generation will learn from. what are we teaching the children who want to be like him tomorrow? are we saying to be famous you most be doing that, is an attitude that needs not to be accepted, our today society we are loosing what our dignity and accepting everything in the name of personal life.
you can never lead with out a character, is time we need to know people we honor and sing well of, IF Mchaine or Obama did this what will you say? a lot because you think they are very important, but i think every single individual on the street needs to be responsible for his or her action and stop making human being to be our standard.
thanks
Chun in Germany
honestly, is this even worth the (electronic) ink. such lofty journalism. "oh no, is the coach upset about the star smoking..."
Smoking is suppose to be an totally unacceptable habit for footballers and sports men generally
Smoking is suppose to be a totally unacceptable habit for footballers and sports men generally
An athlete who smokes is not giving 100% to his team. Even if his 80 or 90% is better than anyone else's 100%, how can you depend on them to not start giving only 70% or 30%?
Then there is the issue of public image. Like it or not, professional athletes are role models. To behave in an irresponsible manner about something as deadly as smoking is giving the figurative finger to fans.
Personally, I would drop him from the team immediately and replace him with someone dependable.
Gallas is a captain both on and off the pitch, smoking is dangerous to health, if he sets such an example, i wonder what he expects from others!
It is unacceptable especially if you are the captain of such a young squad as Arsenal's. Something that affects your health obviously affects your play and I think I now understand why he (Gallas) plays so poorly of late. Come to think of it, if smoking wasn't such a bad thing I don't think footballers would be sneaky about it. I support Wenger 100% and hope he punishes Gallas for this unacceptable conduct.
Wenger is quite right. Top footballers are role models and icons for the younger generation. They should set an example and not behave as if smoking is " cool ". Secondly you can't maintain peak fitness and smoke and keep late nights. He is paid a lot to be at peak fitness at all times.
I am more ticked off with the fact you people are putting
the scores right in top stories, the fans have been recording
through the night to watch when they get up, do I have to change
my home page, please post the scores later in the day.
Of course Wenger is right. Arsenal haven't been their best for a couple of seasons, and the players know it. The players have to show more commitment and discipline. And the captain puffing on a cigarrete isn't the best way to show it.
Yes.
Yes.
It ought to but they're not noted for brains..
I think Wenger's reaction is odd. players are not slave to their clubs-persona l life of players should be encouraged
If smoking is a habit for these top class players understood they should be put in place – but having a cig on a saturday night outside a nightclub with your friends is really not a big deal, I don't think they should be critisized.
No one cares... really.
As the captain of a youthful side like arsenal such examples are really not good but,i'm totally not against his action afterall it was unlit
I see nothing wrong with gallas having a smoke.Though he should realize he has a job that is against smoking i just think he should respect that.Arsene wenger should talk things out with him.
i agree with wenger as a captain williams gallas is to show a good example not the other way around he is a footballer he should know that smoking could reduce his stamina and is bad for your heath
its time 4 gallas 2 lose the captain badge.i think he is the bad link in arsenal defence.being a captain carries a responsibility.
Smoking, i guess it affects fitness and captain gallas and other's should stay away from it.
I hate to perpetuate stereotypes but....a Frenchman, a chav, and a Russian caught smoking.
Shocking!!
I really hate your (CNN's) trolling for responses.
Arsene Wenger is totally right in criticizing his captain. William Gallas should be an example to other team mates and a mentor to youngsters. He should know better than have a stick of cigarette (lit or unlit) around him.
Also, the risk of smoking and it adverse effect on Gallas as a player should not be ignored. Soccer is a game that saps energy. Cigarette and soccer should not be made to compete for the little your blood can hold at a time. It would not be far from realistic to assume his recent poor form has a lot to do with his habit.
William Gallas as captain ought to lead by example. Prof. Wenger should know that Gallas behavior lately is becoming unbecoming. He has been fumbling both on/off the field of play. The Arsenal team is made of youngster who are stil learning their profession; who need a grown man of Gallas age to look up to. Unfortunately, he is failing in that direction. Gallas doesn't exhibit the qualities of a role model that he ought to be. I challenge Prof to prove me wrong!
Of course Arsene Wenger had a right to criticize or condemn William Gallas. If I were a football coach and I witnessed one of my players walking out of McDonald's with an order of fries, I'd be critical of that too. The performance and health of each player affects the success of the team and future of the coach's position.
tony
let us live in balance...in this interdependent world
To keep the balance is what he should looking for. Don't be extremistic in any direction, even if it means that your managers maybe smoke a cigarette or two.
Fair Play!
Jow
Am an Arsenal fan from kenya. I am in total agreement with the manager Arsern Wenger that smoking is bad to players. Gallas is the captain and he should show good example to his team mates. Guys have fan but dont over do it remember we need trophies this season.
I think that a coach's or manager's concern should be on how a player performs inside the lines. If he is good for the job that he does in the court is not anybody's business whether he smokes or not. These are professionals and not high school students and should be treated as professionals. Does anybody care whether a stock analyst,a journalist an army officer , a politician etc, smokes drinks or taking sleeping pills if he is the best you can find?
Smoking in no way should be promoted, and especially not by athletes, who are role models for many youngsters. Nevertheless, athletes are people like the rest of us, and should have the choice in doing what they please with their health and personal lives. It’s the media’s responsibility to publish what is appropriate and what not keeping in mind the undeniable effect it has on viewers, and especially the youth.
Wenger is right. Of all habits, smoking seems particularly unsightly for footballers. Besides the very real health and moral hazards, there is something perceptively uncool about public smoking by these role models. Personal freedoms are OK as long as they do not compromise the very essence on which your fame and fortunes rely.
I dont view it as a bad habit though arsenal being a more fit team it can hamper his fitness but that shouldnt be a big
issue
Although sportspeople do need a good condition and clean pair of lungs on the pitch, I do think it is somewhat revolting if we beget a bigbrother kind of society hounded by meatthrowing journaille safely behind their smug walls. You sound like an ex-smoker and let met tell you :They are the worst lot of them all. Is Wenger an ex smoker too?
You better can be a happy moderate smoker !
And what's the advantage of forbidding people to smoke when levels of airborne pollution emanating from traffic and industries are on the rise again.
You better start writing real articles again instead off egging the mob.
Bye, Robert from Rotterdam
I think everyone knows by now that smoking is a bad idea, however, does it affect professional soccer players performance on the field? I would not think so. It was not uncommon to see players smoke on the sidlelines in South American and Central American matches up to the late 80s. I am quite sure these "smoking" footballers could outrun a sedentary non-smoker any day of the week.
Chris
Germany
He's 100% correct. Give him a lot of credit. Remember that atheletes are examples for our youth even if they don't plan to be
sports stars are seen as role models by the young fans, therefore, they have a duty , and a serious reponsibility, towards maintaining an exemplary role in their life..........after all they get paid well enough for what they are doing, so refraining from certain bad habits is not much to ask for.
thats totally unacceptable,its affects the form of the player,this goes to show his ambition for the season.its obvious he is not leader
It isnt the right thing to do at all. A player represents the country, the club, the fans. He hasnt done well, but we all shuldnt condem him. Am sory to say this may be he has his reasons. Arsene wenger is right though
Well,is not everybody will acept smoking,as a footballer,I think is wrong to smoke cigi,is dangerous to your health, and beside that smokers are liable to die young.
I don't see the reason big stars should mess themselves though they thought they are living their lives the way the want them;yes! One may live his life the way he want's it,but what do people says about you.you know i'v thought that one should in most please his fans but i won't blame Gallas much because of his act only that winger should take it easy with his boys.
Discipline in tha pitch should be displayed out of tha pitch too.Wenger should be the next FIFA president.
A rule is a rule...meaning it must be strictly adhered to. If the reams policy states that such habit shouldn’t be seen by Arsenal players in the public....so it must be.
I hate to see my club been classed along the riffraff clubs without discipline.
Is it in my contract? NO? Get the ... out!!!
If Wenger think it's really important then it's his work to discuss it with star before making a contract.
No nothing like this in contract – then it's Wenger's personal problem and his mistake
Unless being a non-smoker is a specific condition of his employment, it is nobody else's business whether he smokes or not.
The "role model" business is total crap, unless mindless group think and absolute adherance to the fad du jour is one's idea of being a good "role model".
well,well,well.......too bad. As a captain, he should know better than that. He should be reprimanded no doubt and knowing Arsene to be a disciplined figure he should not expect a light punishment. As a role model to the young fans,that surely was not a good example to be seen in public with a cigarette, lit or unlit. You will be surprised to know that a lot of footballers smoke but not it in public.Gallas' case is rather unfortunate.......now he has something to be blamed for his poor performance in recent times.
A captain of Team is an example for young and old generations . This was a stupid act .
Only real friends will tell you the truth in your face .
With some decent effort you can mend the situation.Good luck.
Of course Wenger is right. He is the manager of the team and is finally responsible for every player's performance. Any negative factor affecting their health/performance is his concern.
I am shocked this is even an issue on CNN.
An occasional cigarette will not be detrimental to his game. Blaming his average play this year on one cigarette is a bit extreme.
He is leaving a nightclub, a place for adults and not a place for children. He didn't expect to be seen by the public eye there. Smoking at a charity event would be a completely different story.
In as much as i agree with the fact that it is Gallas's private life i expect him to know that it is not good for his health and as a sports man of his standing.Arsenal forever.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with what a player does outside the field so long as it does not affect their performance in the pitch.A player whose performance is dwindling will continue to dwindle whether he smokes or not and Gallas is a case in point. Why is it that Berbatov and Rooney are performing well despite the smoking allegations?
It's completely diverstating for a high profile succee lad like Gallas to act that way.Succee lad like him are seeing as "role model" by sports enthusiast ,so therefore,he need to lead by example so as to portray good image for himself as a player i the sporting world.
Paul Amos
Lagos Nigeria
I thought sports people do need good health to enable them carry out there dutie.To me Gallas attitude is completely un acceptable on that scene,so with little effort he can bend the un ruly situation.
Paul Amos
Lagos Nigeria
Get a life.
Chris Brasher, who helped Roger Bannister break the 4 minute mile and who stopped for a pie and a pint in the 1983 london Marathon and still beat 25 year old me to the finish line, was a lifelong smoker.
Yes we all know it's bad for you...and others around you, but so is spewing out exhaust fumes and I don't see driving being banned? I worked in the fitness business for three decades and always encouraged smokers to pack it in, however I didn't nag and as long as it isn't being blown in the direction of non-smokers, Gallas and anyone else can poison themselves if they want to.
Perhaps it might be more of an example if he stopped being stroppy with match officials and we might all be able to grow old with a generation of kids that actually respect their elders, rather than being physically and verbally aggressive as these so called professionlas have taught them to be.
It is clear naivety to contend that actions off-the-pitch have nothing to do with actions on-the-pitch. Garbage-in, garbage-out is an wise adage that applies very well to sports in all disciplines. Moreover, what does smoking add to you, beyond the obvious health risks that evolve from it? Players are Public property moreover, there is nothing like "their own persons" when off-pitch!!