The Sports Buff ⚽️ ⚾️ 🏈

In life, after mistakes that we make, we naturally look for a way to redeem ourselves, a second chance. In the world of football, despite how much they appear to be on a different planet, they also need a second chance, a chance at redemption.

Footballers and other sports players, rightly or wrongly, are looked at scornfully when the topic of their past issues is brought up. In the cricket world, Pakistan cricketer Mohammed Amir has been one who has not been allowed to forget about his past.

Arguably, on the whole, time has been a good healer in this instance, and the cricket world has accepted him back into the fold. The world of snooker wasn’t so forgiving for Steven Lee, who was found guilty of match-fixing.

In other lines of work, you fill out a form when applying for a certain role; it has a do you have previous offences box, or words to that extent. A sporting athlete doesn’t, but as mentioned, gets little to no sympathy.

Ched Evans and Benjamin Mendy, respectively, when they were cleared of rape charges, were still met with many judgmental eyes. Which brings me to Mason Greenwood, who wasn’t charged with rape for the alleged rape of his girlfriend.

The backlash in England was relentless, and even in parts of Europe, but one man gave him a chance at redemption on the football field: Tottenham coach Roberto De Zerbi.

The Italian backed the former Manchester United man in the media when no one else did. This act might be turned around and seen as controversial, but the gesture is touching.

What’s wrong is wrong, but if there’s a chance for redemption, then this should be allowed too. The same happened with Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk. Ukrainian Mudryk was bound for eight months regarding a drug test.

Since his return to the first team, the 25-year-old has seen little playing time. This is where Tottenham manager De Zerbi comes in. The former Shakhtar manager has been in contact with his former player, even though Mudryk is at Chelsea and he is at Spurs.

To prise the winger away, a loan winger has been offered with an option to buy come the end of the season.