Home Football Football stars complain they’re being ‘bullied’ if they don’t wear designer gear and ‘unacceptable’ clothes are soaked in the shower, taped up outside and even BURNT

Football stars complain they’re being ‘bullied’ if they don’t wear designer gear and ‘unacceptable’ clothes are soaked in the shower, taped up outside and even BURNT

Football — 11/06/2023

According to a survey, football players who earn hundreds of pounds a week have complained that they face bullying from their peers if they don’t drive fancy cars and don’t dress ostentatious.

In the current game, some players have had their clothing torn to pieces or even set on fire because the brand isn’t acceptable, while others have claimed they feel compelled to purchase pricey attire in order to prove their accomplishment.

Some in the modern game have had their clothes cut to shreds or even set alight if they are not the right brand as there is increasing pressure for players to be fashion conscious and follow the example of global superstars, like Cristiano Ronaldo (pictured, left)

Football players today want to establish themselves as “brands” on social media, and it’s rumored that individuals who show up to practise wearing inappropriate clothing face mockery and even have their items burned.

Football players have been putting themselves in financial danger as a result of purchasing expensive products they cannot afford, such as watches, vehicles, clothes, and other items.

In an age when footballers attempt to become 'brands' on social media - like David Beckham (pictured, right) - those who turn up to training in the wrong type of gear are mocked and ridiculed in the dressing room and even have them destroyed, it is claimed

“If a player is not wearing what is considered to be the right brands of clothing, then their teammates will let them know with negative comments or even by damaging the offending clothes,” study author Dr. Graeme Law of York St. John University said at the British Sociological Association’s annual meeting.

34 professional players—20 from clubs in the English or Scottish Premier Leagues and 11 internationals—were interviewed for his results.

Benjamin Mendy of Manchester City (pictured) is a fashionable player and players now feel forced to follow the lead and are bullied if they do not, study claims

‘You get used to spending and being part of that milieu, where it’s normal,’ a former English Premier League player told researchers. That remained the same after I retired.I continued to spend the same amount of money until I was essentially unable to do so due to financial constraints.

“It took a while for me to spend and purchase items that I could comfortably afford.”

In the changing room, image is crucial in building power and respect. Football players are forced to conform to this image by purchasing specific apparel and accessories in order to be accepted, regardless of their actual money. Dr. Law continued.

What happened to players who showed up wearing attire deemed inappropriate was disclosed by a former League One player.

Clothes would become saturated or hang up in the shower, he said. The worst we could have done was tape it up outside, but I’ve heard they get burned at other places.

A different player, who competed in all four of the top English divisions, said to Dr. Law, “I fear you are in trouble if you are not wearing Calvin Klein, as it is the perceived pants for a footballer.”

Another player said, “It was a terrible decision about what to wear to training.” Standing in front of my closet, I would ask myself, “What will I get away with?” The largest and most difficult choice of the day was that one.

An international and championship player talked about his initial experiences at his new club. 

“I was getting hammered for my clothes,” he remarked. I wasn’t wearing luxury clothing like Hugo Boss or Gucci, so it was happening every day.

“After that, they say things like, ‘Can’t you afford it?” As a result, you finally start buying differently. Just to get them off my back, I know I did. Though stupid, it sure does make things easier.

“Image was quite big for me,” a Premier League player said. “I saw other lads driving flash cars and wearing designer clothes, and I thought, ‘That’s what a footballer should do.”

‘I got a car that pushed me to the brink every month, so there were moments when I really went over budget.’

A few gamers found it difficult to afford the upscale items. 

“You have players who try to outdo each other—some, regrettably, try to maintain the image without being able to afford it, and when their career does crumble, that’s when they find themselves in serious trouble,” a Championship player stated.