Foul Play

The Dark Arts of Cheating in Sport

Nonfiction, Sports
Cover of the book Foul Play by Mike Rowbottom, Bloomsbury Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Mike Rowbottom ISBN: 9781408166048
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Publication: July 18, 2013
Imprint: Bloomsbury Publishing Language: English
Author: Mike Rowbottom
ISBN: 9781408166048
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication: July 18, 2013
Imprint: Bloomsbury Publishing
Language: English

Foul Play dissects the age-old subject of cheating in all its absurdity. From plain old doping to claiming a marathon victory despite having driven the middle section of the race, from match-fixing to diving for a penalty - cheating in sport is as old as sport itself.

There are plenty of well-known cases of cheats being found out in sport: Ben Johnson, for example, was stripped of his 100m Olympic medal after a positive drugs test; South African cricketer Hansie Cronje was banned from all cricket for life after admitting involvement in match-rigging; rugby union recently found itself having to deal with the "bloodgate" scandal. However, there are myriad other examples of bending the rules more subtly: pressuring the referee, demoralising an opponent with mind games, or shirt-pulling.

But what constititues cheating and where do we draw the line? Are some sports cleaner than others? Is cheating in one sport the same as cheating in another or does each sport's distinctive culture set different standards? Is there such a thing as a sport without sin? Or, indeed, a sporting competitor?

This book is not a catalogue of past sporting misdemeanours so much as an investigation into the lengths to which some sports people have gone, and will go, to get the better of others. And also the lengths to which they will not go.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Foul Play dissects the age-old subject of cheating in all its absurdity. From plain old doping to claiming a marathon victory despite having driven the middle section of the race, from match-fixing to diving for a penalty - cheating in sport is as old as sport itself.

There are plenty of well-known cases of cheats being found out in sport: Ben Johnson, for example, was stripped of his 100m Olympic medal after a positive drugs test; South African cricketer Hansie Cronje was banned from all cricket for life after admitting involvement in match-rigging; rugby union recently found itself having to deal with the "bloodgate" scandal. However, there are myriad other examples of bending the rules more subtly: pressuring the referee, demoralising an opponent with mind games, or shirt-pulling.

But what constititues cheating and where do we draw the line? Are some sports cleaner than others? Is cheating in one sport the same as cheating in another or does each sport's distinctive culture set different standards? Is there such a thing as a sport without sin? Or, indeed, a sporting competitor?

This book is not a catalogue of past sporting misdemeanours so much as an investigation into the lengths to which some sports people have gone, and will go, to get the better of others. And also the lengths to which they will not go.

More books from Bloomsbury Publishing

Cover of the book Oriental Interiors by Mike Rowbottom
Cover of the book Better Than Perfect by Mike Rowbottom
Cover of the book There Is No Such Thing As Hate Speech by Mike Rowbottom
Cover of the book Arab-Iranian Relations by Mike Rowbottom
Cover of the book Epistemology: The Key Thinkers by Mike Rowbottom
Cover of the book Alexander 334–323 BC by Mike Rowbottom
Cover of the book Broadcasting in the Modernist Era by Mike Rowbottom
Cover of the book Theatre Criticism by Mike Rowbottom
Cover of the book Armed Humanitarians by Mike Rowbottom
Cover of the book US Army Soldier by Mike Rowbottom
Cover of the book Macedonian Armies after Alexander 323–168 BC by Mike Rowbottom
Cover of the book The Great Chevauchée by Mike Rowbottom
Cover of the book The Health Gap by Mike Rowbottom
Cover of the book Island Cup by Mike Rowbottom
Cover of the book Scary Tales To Tell In The Dark by Mike Rowbottom
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy