Orville Higgins | RSPL games aren’t family friendly

A few weeks ago their was a rigorous debate on my show on KLAS Sports FM89 about lewd music being played at Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) games in Jamaica. The producer of the show raised the point that he was less than impressed with the lewd content being played on the sound system at a particular game. While he was speaking about a particular incident, the discussion shifted to the general, and spectator behaviour at RSPL games became the focus.

My co-host made the point, to much criticism from the public, that derogatory music is NOT the norm at these games, and that there were greater things to be concerned about. He felt that what takes place in the stands is far worse than what the selectors may play. I did not disagree.

I took my 10-year-old son to an RSPL game for the first time on Sunday. What my co-host was saying about ‘bad’ music being the least of our worries at these games was reinforced in no uncertain manner. Going to a Premier League game in Jamaica brings one head-on into a side of Jamaican culture that can be shocking for those who have not been exposed to it. I have been watching Premier League games for years and I have become accustomed and immune to the colourful language and marijuana smoking that goes unabated at these games. For a 10-year-old though, it can be physically and mentally unsettling, to say the least.

There are patrons at these games who take great pleasure in verbally abusing players and officials. With the liquor flowing and the marijuana smoking going on unabashed, they do not seem to be able to enjoy the game unless they keep giving those on the field an earful of expletives and mild threats. The continuous tirade against coaches, referees and players by these spectators is part and parcel of the watching experience of most RSPL games. The continuous reference to the mothers of any one who earns their wrath is a given.

In fairness, I do not think they mean any harm. There are not too many incidents of spectators physically attacking players, coaches, or officials after a game. The rowdy and raucous behaviour is simply accepted as the norm. By and large, those on the field ignore it, but the whole thing can be very intimidating to the uninitiated spectator.

My son was wide-eyed and shocked for much of the game. He spent more time being fascinated and horrified by what he was hearing than anything that was taking place on the field. I was torn between allowing him to watch a game that he loves, and exposing him to this unbridled demonstration of the darker side of the Jamaican experience.

How does a front line sports broadcaster tell his pleading 10-year-old son that he will not take him to football games? I will be silently hoping that the parental skills of his parents will insulate him against any lasting negative effects of that level of debauchery.

The Jamaica Football Federation may well say RSPL games are for ADULTS ONLY. It is not a family event by any means. Crowds at Premier League games in Jamaica are not what they used to be two or three decades ago. There are many reasons why, but I am convinced that the behaviour of these unruly spectators is preventing other patrons from coming. Those who are in charge of running the league may feel they are unable to do anything about all this. They may be right, but the truth is going to a RSPL game is not for the faint hearted.

Orville Higgins is a veteran broadcaster with more than 20 years experience in the field of sports.