The English Football Association have created a new online film in a bid to silence pushy parents at grass roots football matches.
Top actor Ray Winstone, who is known for his “tough guy” roles, plays a shouting parent. Instead of getting behind his son and offering support, Winstone spends time shouting at the referee and other players.
Football bosses at the FA are concerned that pushy, abusive parents are not only putting kids off the beautiful game, but are also having a negative effect on attracting young referees. The FA believes that abuse from the sidelines is leading to 7,000 referees giving up their whistles each year.
The FA also think youngsters are not able to enjoy playing football when spectators are shouting at them or their team mates.
Winstone said: "It must be a right headache to stand next to these mugs every week who are arguing over kids' football.
"It's tough on the referee and difficult for the other parents who are trying to enjoy the game.
"It's as if they're living their own dreams through their kids and it's not right."
He added: "Football's our national sport and something has to be done otherwise kids won't want to play anymore and no-one will be interested in refereeing which means we won't have a game left."
Source: DSG
