I'll go against the grain on this thread - apologies rarnes, but I'm choosing your post to quote as I feel it essentially captures the sentiment of those looking to get rid of the pre-match handshake.

Quote:
Originally Posted by rarnes1 View Post
If you don't want to shake hands with someone you shouldn't have to. Pointless exercise.
These footballers are very highly paid professionals, and their names and faces are on our TV screens, newspapers and magazines every day of every week. These footballers are adored by millions and millions of impressionable youngsters, who want to copy their every move. That's why these people are paid enormous sums, on top of their very high wages, to endorse a wide range of consumer products, and why you will see in every street of every town / city, kids wearing a variety of football shirts with the names of these players on their backs.

That is the context, and it is why the FA has its Respect Campaign. The pre-match handshake ceremony is in keeping with the principles of that - respect for one's opponent, and hopefully if kids see their heroes do it, then it will help instill in them some of those principles.

That is why I personally think it is sad to see this suspended. Bear in mind that this suspension has arisen as a result of an allegation of racist abuse by one player against a fellow professional. Good behaviour and leading by example?

I think we see enough examples of bad behaviour from these role models from kick off until the final whistle, not to mention their private lives which are splashed across the front pages. Is it too much to ask them to take part in a simple hand shaking ceremony that sets a good example?