AFTER reading today's Evening News (Saturday, February 5) and in particular the report headlined "Ref resigns after red card assault" I feel that I must comment on the issue for the second time in around two weeks.

Once again, I say that I have no knowledge of this match or the teams involved or the referee Mr Les Croy.

I do think that it is a shame that Mr Croy has decided that he will not referee another match, as there is such a shortage of good referees in the Worcestershire area.

The referee states "it is too much hassle refereeing a youth game now" I disagree with that statement - a lot of people take a lot of pleasure taking part in or watching youth football.

The age of the players involved in this game were 18-year-olds. That is not youth football - these people are young men.

There should be in every football club a code of conduct for players a code of conduct for managers / coaches and a code of conduct for spectators.

I suggest this course of action for any football player team who want to see this sort of thing completely removed from our national sport.

n If you are a player in a team where an individual acts in this manner, don't play with him / her.

n If you manage a team where an individual acts in this manner, don't manage him / her.

n If you are a coach in a team where an individual acts in this manner, don't coach him / her.

n If you are asked to referee a team with a record for bad conduct, don't referee that match.

n If you run a league with a team in it that has reputation for bad conduct, don't let them continue in the league.

n If you sponsor a team that has reputation for bad conduct, stop sponsoring them.

I think if we stick to those simple guidelines we would not lose good referees.

MARTIN STILGOE,

Worcester.