FA issues red card to players

The Football Association and Premier League have taken note of Deputy General Secretary Martin Ward's comments during the SHA annual conference. They are cracking down on intimidating behaviour on the pitch.

The FA announced in March that, starting next season, players who harass, intimidate or verbally abuse a match official will be sent off. They also acknowledged that in the past, referees have been reluctant to use that power in order not to spoil the game.

We commend the FA on the decision and SHA members will be gratified that their voice is being heard beyond the confines of the education world.

Now that's settled, we would, for the last time, like to make clear that SHA has nothing personally against football.

The remarks made at conference were meant as a 'for instance' and were in no way influenced by the fact that Leicester Tiger supporters outnumber football fans at SHA headquarters...