We know better than to reveal sensitive information online, say local footballers. The rising popularity of social media applications such as Facebook and Twitter has raised concerns recently about the release of sensitive information among the sporting community. Information about injuries; team line-ups and strategies could be used by punters, affecting the integrity of the game, argued proponents for banning such applications during competitions.
Twitter is just a harmless way to keep your friends, family and fans in touch, right? Wrong! Below are examples of sportsmen who have raised quite a few eyebrows in just 140 characters or less.
The tennis world No. 5 hit out at regulations on the use of Twitter at the US Open earlier this week. The Tennis Integrity Unit had put up warning signs in the players’ lounges, locker rooms and referee’s office that read: “Many of you will have Twitter accounts in order for your fans to follow you and to become more engaged in you and the sport – and this is great. However, no matter how popular it is, it is important to warn you of some of the dangers posted by Twittering as it relates to the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program Rules.”
In response, Roddick, winner of the competition in 2003, tweeted: “I think it’s lame the US Open is trying to regulate our tweeting. I understand the on-court issue but not sure they can tell us if we can or can’t do it on our own time…we’ll see. I definitely respect the rule about inside info and on court, but you would seriously have to be a moron to send ‘inside info’ through a tweet. Not very subtle/smart…come on.”
The former Tottenham striker caused a commotion in England later July when he let fly at Spurs chairman Daniel Levy on Twitter. The England striker had been frustrated at the slow pace at which his move to Sunderland was going.
“Seriously getting p***** off now…Why can’t anything be simple. It’s so frustrating hanging round doing jack s***,” he tweeted. “Sunderland are not the problem in the slightest…Do I wanna go hull city NO. Do I wanna go stoke NO do I wanna go sunderland YES so stop f****** around levy [SIC].”
The Minnesota Vikings wide receiver caused a stir early last month when he tweeted that team-mate Tarvaris Jackson will miss the entire NFL season after a training ground injury. The tweet, meant as a joke, spread in cyberspace before Berrian clarified that Jackson would only be out for a few practice sessions.
The rookie Australian cricketer was ticked off in late July after he tweeted that he was dropped from the team against England, hours before the official team announcement. The 20-year-old tweeted: “Disappointed not to be on the field with the lads today, will be supporting the guys, it’s a BIG test match 4 us. Thanks 4 all the support!”
List compiled by Lim Say Heng, The New Paper