Sutcliffe expresses concern over misbehaviour

Sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe has warned top footballers that they need to act as role models and said there should be a debate about whether to impose points deductions for clubs whose players are guilty of serious misbehaviour.

Sutcliffe said the incidents involving Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor last weekend against Arsenal had highlighted the need for the stars of the game to set an example for children.

He said: “I am concerned, because these players are role models. What we can’t have is violence or apparent violence that kids in the streets may copy. There needs to be other mechanisms to force players and clubs to recognise that.”

He went on to suggest clubs should be docked points for players misbehaviour: ” Do we need to look at clubs losing points [for serious misbehaviour]? If a player gets banned for three games, it’s easy to put someone else in there if you are a big club, though for small clubs it’s more difficult.”

Sutcliffe stressed the Government would not tell football how to run the sport, but acted as a “critical friend” and make suggestions. “I can’t propose that [points deductions], but it’s something that should be looked to make sure that clubs and players act in a responsible way,” added Sutcliffe.