FA set to get tough on players for verbal abuse of officials

FOOTBALL Association chief executive Brian Barwick has paved the way for a crackdown on players who verbally abuse match officials.

In his annual address to the FA council’s summer meeting, Barwick made clear players would not be allowed to continue raising question-marks over their status as role models.

Wayne Rooney’s four-letter tirade at match officials at Highbury last February was cited as an example of why the game needed to clean up its act. Players should expect referees to take action for prolonged abuse.