Nowadays, betrayal can be a common occurence. It can take place in any place or form. Even sport isn't immune to it. In fact, batrayal is probably more prevalent in sport than in any other sector. It's sad to see when this happens. There's no telling just how big of a backlash can occur.
This topic came to me when I saw an interview that was done on former Proteas and Test captain, Dean Elgar. This interview was based upon his recent international retirement. It was per the Rapport newspaper. He was apprehensive about coming out and speaking of his experiences until the expiry of his contract with Cricket South Africa (CSA) at the end of April.
He spoke of an unhealthy culture after becoming captain in 2021. “I am a sportsman, not a politician or a cricket administrator, but I was thrown into a cauldron in which I had to be all three. If I had known that before, I would never have accepted the captaincy.”
He pointed to the resignation of Graeme Smith as Director of Cricket in March of 2022 as to the point of origin. It placed a heavy burden on him, then-coach Mark Boucher and the team management. It was a difficult task balancing the team's interests and CSA management. He stated, "I tried to make the best of a bad job, to control the things I could control. But my own form took a dive.”
Despite the difficulties, he believed that he was doing a good job. Henceforth, it was a shock to him when he got called up to a meeting with new Director of Cricket, Enoch Nkwe and new coach, Shukri Conrad, to be informed that he would be sacked as the captain. Temba Bavuma would replace him. He said, "It felt as though they did not recognise all my hard work over the previous year-and-a-half, that they didn’t realise how much we had improved as a team. From being sixth or seventh in the world we became a team with the potential to play in the World Test championship final.”
According to Elgar, the only reason Conrad gave for the change was that he felt "better aligned" with Bavuma. He addsed, “Shukri Conrad is the reason why my Test career was cut short. I think I don’t fit into the South African situation as it is now and probably into the future.”
In spite of the change, he maintains that he had good relationships with his former teammates. However, it was the meeting with Nkwe and Conrad that made him realise that a decision on his future needed to be made.
Going back to the announcement of his retirement, he placed the political pressure that was mounting from CSA. He said, "I made a decision last February [2023] already that I was going to retire at the end of the India series. My mind was made up long ago about where my future was, or how it looked back home. It's maybe not looking as rosy as what it should be looking, but I think after serving the Proteas for 12 years, I maybe had that respect to decide how my career's going to look."
Nevertheless, it's hard for Elgar not to look back on his South Africa exit with a hint of bitterness This is especially given the circumstances of the country's only subsequent series since his retirement. With the SA20 taking precedence in the home season, a squad of seven debutants including the new captain, Neil Brand, were dispatched to New Zealand in February where they slumped to two uncompetitive losses.
He said, "I saw the writing on the wall a year ago. It's got nothing to do with the SA20, I think that's a great tournament for us for SA cricket, because I know it brings in good money. Unfortunately, it does take away international duties. And it's a balancing act of what the administrators want."
This whole matter is unbelievable. Everything that Elgar went through was totally unnecessary. He should've never gone through any of it. A proper analysis of his leadership, the morale of the team and the results history should've been the determinants of his future. Being sacked just because he didn't align with the coach is foolish and idiotic.
Unfortunately, this isn't an isolated event. There have been numerous instances of betrayals in sport. There are plenty of situations. There are so many that a book could be written on it. However, I will outline eight occassions and a few honourable mentions.
The first instance is the case of Luis Figo. He was a former Portugese footballer. In 2000, he was playing for Barcelona. He then got transferred to bitter rivals Real Madrid. This move was only accomplished due to Figo's buyout clause - €62 million.
When he returned to the Camp Nou (Barcelona's home ground), There were banners hung around the stadium with words like "Traitor", "Judas", "Scum" and "Mercenary." Figo was mercilessly taunted throughout and when he came out of the tunnel and ran onto the field; the jeers of almost 98,000 Barcelona fans escalated. Figo was visibly shocked as he placed his fingers to his ears.
When El Clásico started, each time Figo got the ball, the noise rose with insults and missiles flying such as oranges, bottles, cigarette lighters and mobile phones. The regular corner taker for Madrid, Figo, didn't take any corners at the Camp Nou to avoid being in proximity to the fans. Barcelona were victorious, winning 2–0, and Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez stated after the match, "The atmosphere got to us all."
Madrid defender Iván Campo commented, "That night when Figo first went back was incredible. I’ve never heard anything like it. Luís didn't deserve that. He'd given his all for Barcelona. It was built up before: 'a traitor’s coming,' the media said. No, Luís Figo is coming, one of the greats for you. That night hurt him, you could see. His head was bowed and he was thinking: 'bloody hell, I was here last season ...' But my lasting emotion was admiration: you’ve got balls."
Note to readers: there is a Netflix documentary that follows this move. It's called, The Figo Affair: The Transfer that Changed Football.
Terrell Owens was a wide receiver in the NFL. He was no stranger to controversies. He was playing for the Philadelphia Eagles, when in 2005, he publically criticised the quaterback, Donovan McNabb, and engaged in a heated locker room confrontation.
Despite signing a seven-year contract in 2004, Owens demanded a re-negotiation after just one season. His ongoing disputes with management and teammates led to a suspension and eventual release in 2006.
The sense of betrayal was palpable, as Owens had helped lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl appearance only a year prior. He went on to sign with the Dallas Cowboys, the Eagles’ fierce NFC East rivals, further fueling the animosity of Philadelphia fans.
In another NFL betrayal, Art Modell is another one. However, his one is one of the most infamous in history. He owned the NFL side, the Cleveland Browns. He was secretly negotiating a move to Baltimore in 1995. This was being done despite his denials about it.
The announcement of the move didn't go down well. A wave of protests took place in response to the move. The teams did indeed move and became the Baltimore Ravens. Cleveland fans were left wth a gaping whole in their hearts.
Cleveland was granted an expansion in 1999. They etained the Browns’ name, colors and history. The bitterness towards Modell endured.
In football, Kenny Miller is the next one. In Scotland, his issue began when he signed for Rangers in 2008. This comes after playing for their rivals, Celtics. He began his career at Rangers and moved to Celtic in 2006. He played a singular season before moving to Derby County.
Miller’s decision to return to Rangers in 2008 was met with outrage from both sets of fans. For Celtic supporters, he was a traitor for rejoining their arch-rivals. Rangers fans questioned his loyalty, given his previous stint at Celtic Park. Miller’s actions strained his relationship with both fanbases, leaving a blemish on his career.
Another owner is this list. The owner this time around is Robert Irsay - the owner of the Baltimore Colts. The planned move was to Indianapolis overnight in 1984. The decision was made amidst ongoing disputes with the city of Baltimore over stadium improvements. Irsay had been secretly negotiating with Indianapolis while publicly denying any intention to move the team. When the Maryland legislature introduced a bill that would give the city of Baltimore the right to seize the team, Irsay acted quickly.
During the night, he loaded the team’s belongings onto moving trucks and fled to Indianapolis. The betrayal left Baltimore Colts fans heartbroken and resentful towards Irsay, who had robbed them of their beloved team.
Argentine footballer, Carlos Tevez, is next up. He was a striker who moved from Manchester United to Manchester City in 2009. He rejected a contract offer from United. Tevez’s decision to join their bitter rivals tarnished his reputation among the Manchester United faithful, who once adored him for his tenacity and skill.
Remaining in the Premier League, Sol Campbell is the next 'traitor.' He had transferred from Tottenham to Arsenal in 2001. Campbell had spent his entire career at Tottenham, even becoming the captain. Fans were devastated when he joined Arsenal on a free transfer, not only leaving their beloved Spurs but also strengthening their bitter rivals.
The move made Campbell a pariah among Tottenham supporters, who labelled him “Judas” and never forgave him for his disloyalty. The animosity remains strong, with Campbell’s name still synonymous with betrayal in the eyes of Spurs fans.
Finally, Marian Hossa is on the agenda. This involves the NHL (ice hockey). His move from the Pittsburgh Penguins for the Detroit Red Wings in 2008 was felt deeply in the Penguin fanbase. The move left Penguins fans feeling betrayed and questioning Hossa’s loyalty. In a twist of fate, the Penguins defeated the Red Wings in the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals, exacting a measure of revenge against Hossa and his new team.
Although Hossa would eventually win three championships with the Chicago Blackhawks, his decision to abandon the Penguins for their rivals will forever be remembered as a significant betrayal in the eyes of many Pittsburgh fans.
Honourable mentions include: Brett Favre - who was a quarterback who left the Green Bay Packers for their rivals, the Minnesota Vikings; Johnny Damon - who was a MLB outfielder who left the Boston Red Sox to sign with their arch-rivals, the New York Yankees; Ashley Cole - was a defender who controversially moved from Arsenal to Chelsea, sparking outrage from Arsenal fans; LeBron James - NBA superstar who left the Cleveland Cavaliers for Miami in 2010, enraging the Cleveland fanbase; Eric Cantona - a footballer who left Leeds United for their rivals, Manchester United, in a shocking transfer & finally, Vince Carter - an NBA star who forced a trade from the Toronto Raptors to the New Jersey Nets amidst controversy.
Going through and reading everything makes me think of the seven deadly sins. Those who betray or 'traitors' are ruled by four: Greed, wrath, envy and pride. It's greed because they will endeavour on gaining more than is neccessary. Wrath because of the rage and anger. These emotions can drive any person to do whatever it takes to relieve those emotions. Envy because they might be jealous of what others have will seek ways to 'solve' that particular issue. Finally, the worst of them all, pride. This sin is considered demonic. It can take form in any shape or size.
Another thing that comes to mind is self-interest. 'Traitors' only care about themeselves. They will do anything to achieve what they want without thinking of the possible consequences of their actions. These type of people are selfish. As I've said before, self-interest and selfishness are for losers.
Source Material
Miller, A. 2024. Dean Elgar: 'The writing was on the wall for my South Africa career.' ESPNCrickinfo.
Lambley, G. 2024. Dean Elgar ‘stabbed in the back’ by Cricket South Africa. AFP.
Spencer, L. 2023. What Were the Worst Betrayals in Sport? Betting.US
Voice Sports Teams. 2024. Stabbed in the back: Shukri is the reason why my Test career was cut short, says Dean Elgar. Daily Voice.