1) A few basic thoughts
It is definitely worth taking a closer look at such a large concept. Where does it come from, what did it mean in the past, how has it changed today, what can be called fair play, to what extent is the spectator interested in it, to what extent does the media support it, to what extent do they prevent it.
First of all, there is the assertion that the neutral viewer wants to see it, that is quite certain. It is just as nice to see a great, fair gesture as perhaps a corner kick, a goal kick or even a goal. It can even happen that special gestures of this kind are imprinted in the memory regardless of the later outcome of the game. Basically, however, this neutral spectator is also no longer visible due to the absence of such actions. Well, this is precisely a large part of the concern of the present work: not only to attract the neutral spectator by increasing the attractiveness, the tension and the fairness – this is precisely where fair play plays a role – but also to raise him back to the actually logical superiority. So to speak, there is a small part of fans who don’t care about anything as long as their team is successful, and a large part of neutral spectators who, by making their presence known – and this does not only apply to the stadium – ensure that everything is fair and just, or rather, are there precisely for that reason.
2) Today’s “fair play” scene
At some point, a “rule” was established that is supposed to represent fair play and has endured in its own way to this day. However, the way it is used today, imposed and demanded, without any ifs and buts from the players, is rather the complete opposite of fair play, especially when one looks at the true motives of the individual persons involved. Here is a scene of this kind that could take place in a football stadium today: