I AM not a great supporter of either rugby of football but will watch the odd match or two to pass the time.

On Sunday, with nothing better to do, I watched the England versus France rugby match.

Throughout the whole of the game many hard and rough challenges were made by both sides, video playback was called for on a few occasions to clarify a few points and every word made by the referee talking or advising players was openly broadcast for everyone to hear.

Not once did I hear a player backchat or use foul language to challenge the referee’s decision.

It is high time that this stance was made in our football matches, where every word by both referee and player is broadcast for everyone to hear, and fines issued to the minority of foul mouthed, tantrum-prone players.

On a final, sarcastic note, the score was England 44 France 8 – we are a nation not to be messed with (Brexit!).

Ray Vincent, Darlington