IT has been likened to a 'computer game controlled by adults'.
The beautiful game taken over by a small but idiotic group of people who think they can control a match from the sidelines.
Aggressive behaviour has become so extreme in some English Sunday football leagues that a chairman of one has warned someone could be killed.
But it's not the players who are seeing red - it's their parents.
Graham Ekins wrote to clubs in Surrey to say that children's football matches are at risk of being spoiled by overly forceful parents.
It came after matches in the county were marred by controversy, with reports that one parent threaten to stab a referee and another headbutting a linesman.
Mr Ekins told the clubs, which coach children aged between six and 18, that those involved "should be ashamed of themselves".
"You as clubs and all people involved in trying to voluntarily run children's football need to take back control from thugs and idiots that are doing a great job of spoiling Sunday mornings for children and then occupying league officers' time for the rest of the week while we clear the mess up," he warned.
Former football striker Gary Lineker once said his pet hate in football was pushy parents on the touchline and claimed that "99 per cent of what these parents shout is wrong".
He said he believed parents should be obliged to watch the matches in silence with their support restricted to their physical presence.
Years ago many parents didn't feature as heavily on the sidelines, but the current generation of mums and dads have become weekend chauffeurs and therefore regular fixtures on the touchline.
And with their time spent ferrying their child around, it seems some feel they've earned the right to provide vocal encouragement and at times aggression from behind the white line.
But do parents have the right to voice their opinion from behind the touchline? Should we do what Lineker suggested and remain silent?
I spend almost every Saturday morning on the touchline watching my two sons play football. While they may be only aged seven and 10, I can see their love of the sport, their desire to win and their disappointment when the result doesn't go their way.
Having said all that, I know I can keep a lid on my emotions as I watch them play - because I know it's the right thing to do.
Shouting encouragement from the sidelines, ranging from 'come on boys' to 'keep going' is good and I feel I should be able to cheer on my son.
Yet I know my own responsibility as a parent and remember that I'm not a referee.
But when behaviour goes beyond simple encouragement, there's a problem. Some parents go in for excessive tactical instruction, call it coaching if you like, from the touchline.
Often though, it's confusing for the players, they don't know whether to listen to their coach or their very vocal parent.
And then there's the worse bracket altogether - those who unleash bad language, aggression and unruly behaviour. Those people who ruin it for the rest of us - and more importantly for the children.
As parents, we have a great responsibility to encourage and praise our children during matches.
It can become all too easy to get caught up in the game and feel the need to give directions to your child. But we need to remember we're there for our children, for the joy of seeing them outside, exercising and working in a team.
Ok, there's that tiny hope in my head that one of my children will become the next Messi, the one who makes it all the way to the top of the game and allows me to retire.
At the end of the day, most kids are not going to become professional footballers.
But there are learning skills from sport that they will put into everyday life - discipline, team work and respect for others.
It's not the World Cup our kids are playing in at the weekend, but it's a chance for young children to begin a lifelong connection with the beautiful game.
----------------------------------------------
Competition
The Slumbersac hooded travel wrap is an easy to use baby wrap designed to fit neatly into standard car seats, prams and cots.
It not only adds an extra layer of warmth for baby but allows parents to easily move baby from one place to another without any hassle, making it ideal for families on the go.
Car seat or pushchair harnesses can be placed over or under the travel wrap allowing baby to be moved easily without having to remove the wrap.
The hood provides extra protection across baby’s forehead and ears in cold and windy weather and lies completely flat behind baby’s head when not in use.
Available in four different designs (bear, owl, pirate and princess), they're available from www.slumbersac.co.uk for £14.99.
I have three Slumbersacs to give away, to be in with a chance to win one simply email your name, address and telephone number - along with the answer to the question below - to competitions@irishnews.com
Closing date for entries is Tuesday, April 5 at noon.
(Q) How many different designs are available in the Slumbersac hooded travel wrap?
Normal Irish News Rules Apply
--------------------------------------------
What's Hot?
Business breakfast - Solo Kitchen + Bar in Belfast city centre has launched a new early morning menu aimed at the business community. The restaurant on Wellington Place is hoping to tap into a growing appetite for early morning business breakfasts with its new menu served from 8am-11.30am.
Get the glow - Elemis six-piece 'Luminous Skin Collection' will be on special offer on QVC for one day only on April 10. With products including the pro-radiance cream cleanser and the new frangipani monoi hand and nail cream, its being sold for £60 - but worth over £198.
So Not!
X Factor return - He may have quit last year but Dermot O'Leary is back as presenter. Falling viewer figures have seen producers bring O'Leary into the fold once again in the hope he can re-invigorate the show.
Caught - Tulisa Contostavlos has been charged with drink driving and dangerous driving after crashing her £150,000 Ferrari in north London.
------------------------------------------
Competition winner
The winner of the Fabulous Fashion Teas at the Merchant Hotel is Maureen Fegan from Rostrevor.
--------------------------------------------
Easy Peasy Recipe
This week's Easy Peasy Recipe is Apple Brandy Chutney (for 15-18 jars) by Alice McIlhagger at Brambleberry Jams, Lisburn.
You will need:
4lb cooking apples - peeled, cored and chopped very small by hand
2lb white onions - chopped small by hand
2lb Demerara Sugar
700ml cider vinegar
14oz dried prunes - chopped by hand small and soaked in ½ the Brandy
100ml Brandy
2 teaspoons salt
To make:
Mixed dried spices
Start by sweating the onions in the salt with the lid on a pan while the prunes soak
Dry fry the mixed dried spices to release the flavours
Mix everything together in a large pan (hold back ½ Brandy to the end)
Stir well to dissolve the sugar into the vinegar over a low heat initially, slowing raising the temperature to a rolling boil to drive off the water from the onions and apples
Keep stirring on the boil for around an hour or longer
Wash and sterilise the jars in a warm oven for 15 minutes
Take off the boil and stir in the rest of the brandy at the end
Spoon out into the jars and lid immediately, then leave alone in a cool dark place for several weeks before eating, this will keep for at least a year
Do you have an Easy Peasy recipe you would like to share?
Are you the queen of quiches, magnificent at muffins or can you turn out some nice scones?
If so, then we want to hear from you.
You can send your name, address, contact number and recipe (plus photo if possible) to:
Easy Peasy Recipes,
Suzanne McGonagle,
Irish News
113-117 Donegall Street,
Belfast,
BT1 2GE
or
s.mcgonagle@irishnews.com
