We’ve been watching with interest the press reaction to last night’s Leigh Griffiths incident, and comparing it with that upon Alfredo Morelos and his indiscretions.
And we have to admit there is a narrative hypocrisy in how Griffiths has been portrayed compared with Morelos.
Griffiths, to be fair to him, has come out, bravely, with concession of mental health problems – he took time out of the game to get treatment for them and to deal with them. Regulars to our site know we recently ran a piece about how mental health is a huge issue and not to be taken lightly. It doesn’t affect anyone’s shirt colour more than anyone else’s, and we sympathise and empathise with those who suffer the blight of affliction.
However, the press’s nanny state of care of his condition, and TLC over how they handle the situation is quite a stark contrast to the bullying they clearly submit upon Morelos, who, most sensible people will realise, has some mental issues of his own.
In short, the press attack all critiques of Griffiths, give a tonne of airtime to his manager’s defence of his actions, and generally portray him with sympathy.
We have no issue with this. We have no issue with a man with mental health issues getting the support he needs.
We do, however, have issue with the narrative changing when it’s a man with mental health issues in a blue shirt, in his case getting nothing but abuse and criticism from the media.
See, both Griffiths and Morelos were appallingly provoked – we’ve heard the vile abuse the scum of this country dish out to the vulnerable – it’s dreadful and both players need protected from it.
Unfortunately, the Scottish press have decided Morelos is worthy of aggressive headlines and speculation, most of which condemns him, while laying a soft glove on Griffiths and holding his hand.
We reiterate – we back the approach to Griffiths – it’s how all people with mental issues should be handled – support and advice.
We just wish the press had the same morals and didn’t just abuse a man simply because he’s box office and has a blue shirt on.
IN . I would love to sit on the the "Mental Health " fence with you but I personally think Griffith's is an Bigoted , Antagonist Arsehole and has stepped way over the mark on too many occasions towards opposition fans much worse than Morelos ever has . .He should be dragged up by the SFA and charged accordingly , if he's not stable enough to paly in front of a crowd he should go back on the sick .
Agreed. There is no viable excuse to pity this creature.
Ban all the publications that do this, till they clean up their act. Believe me, without access to our club, players, premises, they'll soon be forced to change their tune.
Can you imagine what would have happened if Alfredo had tried a Rangers scarf round the ceptic goalpost when we beat them in December…he would have been absolutely hammered by the sea,the police,and of course Claire white would have dished out the biggest ban ever seen in Scottish football…..but when gruffiths done it what happened…NOTHING!!!!!
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