Football’s pathetic omertas only serve to benefit those with real power

I think it's less about "respect" than it is access. With the big clubs, criticise them and you lose access to private chats and interviews. Look at the way the Beeb bottled the Alex Fergusson affair, under the money United got paid he had a contractual obligation to talk to them after matches but refused for years because the Beeb dared to reveal some of the dodgy dealings his son's agency was alleged to be involved in.
Recent ex-players are hired for their access but for the same reason they make lousy commentators as they won't criticise their ex colleagues or clubs.