Players, managers and pundits were all quick to condemn the events that took place at Upton Park last week.  Rightly so of course.  We are more used to seeing scuffles on the pitch these days between players than supporters throwing bricks on to the pitch.  Last week’s scenes were a stark reminder that hooliganism is still capable of rearing its ugly head.

I look at the pictures of the overweight, middle-aged tattooed men smiling as they dance around the pitch goading the opposing players and supporters, and I find myself pitying them for their serious lack of intelligence.  How many of them I wonder voice their backing for the respect campaign, only to decide it doesn’t apply to them if there’s a bit of mindless thuggery to enjoy?  Where is their respect when they make monkey noises towards black players, even though players and supporters on their side will find them equally offensive?

And I am afraid the players and managers are not entirely blameless either.  It does appear that many people have either forgotten or failed to realise that the Respect campaign is not here just to protect referees.  It is to improve the game for everyone involved.  Sadly, watching some of the football highlights programmes this week and remembering past incidents, I had a worrying thought. It occurred to me that many of the professionals we watch at grounds all over the country might have found themselves quite happy as part of a football ‘mob’, had they not been blessed with the skills that have turned them into wealthy entertainers.

I look back at Robbie Fowler goading Graeme Le Saux with comments about his sexuality in front of 35,000 supporters.  If Fowler hadn’t become a professional, would he have been one of the homophobic idiots on the terraces screaming offensive and unfounded abuse at anyone they considered a ‘poof’?

What about Jonathan Woodgate?  Could the Tottenham defender who was found guilty of affray against an Asian man back in 2001 now be part of the disgusting racist section of football supporters if he had not made it as a footballer.

They are controversial questions but ones which must not be ignored.  Footballers have a duty not only to respect match officials and opponents, but supporters as well.  This seemed to be anything but the case last week.  With the situation already hostile, West Ham’s Junior Stanislas celebrated his goal wildly in front of Millwall’s support.  Either he was actually keen to invoke some more crowd trouble (what some deluded individuals call ‘passion’) or he is just not very bright.

Then on Saturday I could not believe the stupidity and irresponsibility of Nottingham Forest’s Nathan Tyson as he ran along waving a flag in front of the Derby County supporters following Forest’s narrow 3 – 2 win.  The huge, shameless grin on his face suggests to me he is every bit as damaging for football as the hooligans themselves.  It is this type of stunt that often triggers the trouble in the first place.  Thankfully, football’s voice of reason, Robbie Savage was there to offer his view on Tyson, saying, “he needs to take a long hard look at himself.”  This from a player who famously through Paulo Maldini’s Italy shirt into a bin before an international.

Tyson will, hopefully, be punished by the F.A if they are serious about the Respect campaign.  Unfortunately he is likely to receive no action from his club after Forest manager Billy Davies refused to criticise his player.

Last week was a setback for the Respect campaign.  If managers continue to condone the actions of their players in situations like this, then it is impossible to take their comments seriously when they condemn violence off the pitch.

Players diving, celebrating in front of opposing fans, or making insulting statements about a fellow professional.  It only takes one spark to start a fire that is difficult to extinguish.  We have seen that this week.