I WOULD like to draw attention to two recent news items. Firstly, there was a football match played in Moscow in which Chelsea lost to Manchester United on penalties.

A Chelsea player, John Terry, missed one of the penalties.

Shame. The ensuing coverage of him crying just reiterated to me what a load of rubbish the socalled beautiful game is.

I would like to know how much Mr Terry gets paid and if he would like to donate a week's wage to the NSPCC, which leads me to the alleged starvation of seven-yearold Khyra Ishaq in Birmingham.

Who do we point the finger at for this one? Everyone, that's who.

We in this country have adopted an "I'm all right Jack" attitude. If it doesn't affect me, it isn't happening. Well, it is.

It's time we stopped worrying about a pathetic missed goal and started worrying about why that child hadn't been seen for the previous two months.

For those heartbroken at not winning a game of football, spare a thought for those kids who are not playing football today because they are suffering at the hands of those who they look to for safety, love and guidance. Kind of puts things into perspective, doesn't it?

FA Fleming, Bishop Auckland, Co Durham.