Read the opposing argument from Babe Ruthless.
Some of you may have missed the topic we are debating today as it came across the wire last week. I certainly had missed it until our judge today pointed it out to us, as only he could, and it is one you are sure to enjoy (Editor’s Note – No one on the English Soccer Team will, though!). England Soccer coach Fabio Capello, in preparation for the upcoming World Cup in South Africa, has told his players that any sexual activity will be banned during the duration of the World Cup.
The ban also includes limited contact with wives and girlfriends, and Coach Capello will be able to monitor any possible shenanigans in the hotel rooms through the OBVIOUSLY high-definition televisions in the room.
No, this is not a World Cup version of Big Brother. This is really happening, and it is obviously a terrible idea!
Once you get over the laughter, you surely realize this is a ridiculous idea, and hopefully, the judge for the debate will realize the absurdity of it. Does any coach deserve this type of authority? It is quite normal for a coach to issue a curfew for players the night before a big game, and more times than not, that curfew is not broken by the players. If the curfew is broken, you will usually see the offending player suspended for at least part of the next game. The official statement would be something to the effect of “The player was suspended for a violation of team rules.”
Activity with one’s spouse inside the comforts of a private hotel room is not a violation. Banning that activity, though, is a violation. A violation of privacy!
These athletes participating in the World Cup are adults. Coach Capello is not their daddy (Editor’s Note again – Who IS their daddy? I couldn’t help myself), he is essentially their boss. Step back for a moment and visualize a business trip that you and your boss take. Maybe your wife tags along for the ride.
You and your wife obviously have a different room than your boss. Yet, somehow he has gotten the IT manager at the hotel to orchestrate a private feed where he is able to see what goes on between you and your wife.
Maybe your boss is a pervert.
Maybe Capello is a pervert.
Nonetheless, it is an invasion of privacy, even if the only the thing that goes on in your room is of you surfing the web on your laptop while she reads the most recent edition of Cosmo.
Perhaps your boss feels the same way that Capello feels in that all energy should be conserved, and maybe your boss feels that you can’t close the deal at the meeting the following morning if you spend too much time with your spouse, just as Capello feels his players might not have as much energy on the field the following day.
It is ridiculous isn’t it?
Capello is doing something unique in this situation, and that is not meant as a compliment. Teams are supposed to be coming together in situations like this. Is this really going to be something that helps Team England? Time will tell, but I highly doubt it.
The coach has to control his team, obviously, and it is his job to win the game, match, or tournament. But there is a line he must not cross, and by dictating the activity – or lack of activity – in a private hotel room, he is crossing the line and threatening to hurt team cohesiveness.
