So the lesson for the kids here is that punching is okay, as long as they punch you back? After that, get some eye gouging going lad, it teaches the oppo to respect you. Bloodgate anyone? Regular heroes these guys, whiter than white, cos their sentence starts with, "What-ho Sir!" and they don't use foul language.
Anyone remember the England cricket team being p!ssed for a month after winning the Ashes for he first time in ages? The press are all fun and frolics and "look good old freddie drunk at number 10, what a guy!". I'm sure they'd be the same if it was Wayne and Co.
FWIW - I don't think football is wonderful but I think it gets the kind of spotlight attention that no other sport does abd. I don't think sportsmen (or actors or pop stars for that matter) are supposed to be role models. Role models should be closer to home, people with which you can have two way communication.