Footballers warned on bad behaviour

Doncaster Council said it had joined forces with the Doncaster and District Football Association to “show litter and anti-social behaviour the red card”.

The authority has timed its drive for the start of the new season, and added that a “clear message” has been sent out to all local clubs that bad behaviour around football pitches will not be tolerated and that each club should take responsibility for its players, club officials and spectators.

Advice issued to local leagues, reminds clubs that keeping pitches clean is as simple as nominating one club member each game to walk the grounds following the match picking up stray litter.

Coun Cynthia Ransome, the council’s communities spokesperson, said: “Football clubs and their supporters will not be allowed to behave in a way which spoils these spaces for others.

“Our officers will be patrolling pitches and playing fields issuing fixed penalty notices to those who litter and we intend to take a tough stance on anti-social behaviour such as spitting or swearing.

“We are also prepared to prevent teams playing on council fields in the future if they fail to conduct themselves in a reasonable manner in line with the FA’s Respect initiative.”

John Preen, chairman of the Doncaster and District Football Association, added: “The majority of our clubs respect that pitches and playing fields are there to be enjoyed by the whole community, but we will regularly be reminding clubs of their responsibilities throughout the season.

“In the rare cases where a team, or their supporters, repeatedly disrespects the excellent facilities we have in Doncaster, the Doncaster and District Football Association will look to take appropriate sanctions against the offending club.”