After two absolute howlers that lost his team a crucial game against Real Madrid over the weekend, Loris Karius, the 24-year-old goalkeeper for Liverpool FC, has received the type of bullying that would leave us emotional wrecks if we were subject to the same abuse in our jobs.
It’s understandable that the fans are angry, having lost 3-1 when two of the goals were due to Karius’ avoidable mistakes.
But death threats? That’s not remotely OK.
Because remember: playing football is his job. He’s an employee doing his job when he’s on the pitch – and consequently, a victim of bullying at the workplace.
How can fan abuse towards athletes be considered as bullying?
Receiving payment for a service performed is exactly what athletes are doing. So…that’s the definition of a job, right? They’re obviously better compensated than your average blogger such as yours truly, but I digress.
Although not a viewpoint generally entertained by many, there may be a case that some behaviours directed towards from fans can be considered bullying – such as the case with former AFL player, Adam Goodes.
Andrew Farr, partner and workplace relations lawyer with Landers & Rogers told Fairfax in relation to the abuse experienced by Goodes when he was playing:
“This is bullying in the common way that we understand bullying in a workplace. It’s unreasonable, it’s designed to intimidate him and to harass him. It’s designed to belittle him. This is a hostile environment in which Adam has to play sport and that’s creating a clear workplace health and safety issue…”
“Sport is an unusual workplace, so the reality is that Adam is unlikely to have legal remedies available to him,” Farr added.
“[But] sport’s still a workplace, and sport still has to live up to Australian community standards.”
Athletes, like employees, need support from their employers when they’re being bullied.
In the case of any instance of bullying, an employee still needs the support of their employer, with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp expressing sympathy for his embattled keeper.
“I feel for him. He is a fantastic boy.”
In the case of Goodes, Farr stated that the Sydney Swans were “perfect” in their support of their former player by providing the appropriate level of support, and time away from the team – the type of support an employee requires.
Here’s hoping Liverpool can muster the same support for Karius, and that his teammates and fans can get past their understandable frustration. No matter how crushing the loss, it’s still just a game – and while we all love a healthy sledge or disagreement, abuse is never OK.