Last updated 21:38, Thursday, 27 March 2008

DISCIPLINE has really hit the headlines in the past few weeks, but the problem has been going on for years and the FA can do nothing about it.

FIFA took away governing bodies’ powers, so our own FA is unable to review incidents that have happened during matches.

Ashley Cole’s tackle on Alan Hutton the other week was a straight red card offence, I don’t care what anyone says.

But since the referee gave him a yellow card, the FA cannot do anything more.

What a joke!

His petulant behaviour after the disgusting tackle deserved a yellow card anyway.

How many times did ref Mike Riley have to ask Cole to turn around so he could talk to him?

Footballers have no respect for authority and what’s worse is that children see it and think they can do the same.

Javier Mascherano is another who should be given a longer ban.

Was there any need for him to run 20 yards to ask why Fernando Torres was booked? No.

Mascherano was clearly pumped up for the United clash. It is great to see a foreigner showing he understands the importance of the game, but his behaviour was stupid.

What would I do?

Firstly, I would give the FA back their power.

For an incident like Cole’s, they should be able to say ‘yes, that is a sending off offence’ and give him the ban he deserves and then they should be able to look at his behaviour and ban him for a further match.

There is absolutely no point in fining millionaires. What is two weeks’ wages to a Premier League international? About 10p to you and me.

Managers would soon get sick of their players being banned for extra games because of their arrogant attitude.

I would also introduce a rule that says that the captain is the only player who is allowed to question the referee over a decision.

The FA have already looked into this but have stupidly decided to start with grass-roots football.

Why pilot a scheme which could change football at that level?

Everyone watches the Premier League and respect needs to start at the top to be an example for everyone else.

Barnet have already introduced this and fair play to them.

In the opening four games of the season, Barnet had three red cards and eight yellow cards. Since then, they have only picked up another eight yellow cards.

Graham Horwood was the referee for Barnet against Rotherham earlier in the season, and he admitted he was able to focus on controlling the game as opposed to dealing with back-chat.

“The fact that only one player, the captain, makes himself known to us makes our job a lot easier.

“There is a lot of unnecessary abuse from players that goes unnoticed by fans and that, frankly, the game can do without.”

Give back the powers to the governing bodies.

Let us rule our game and don’t let the whingers win!