Would zero tolerance on the pitch lead to better behaviour in the street?

Respect in football seems to be a reflection on respect in all aspects of life. It appears that boundaries are now non-existent and what is allowed - or maybe even encouraged - is way outside what should be acceptable.

The only way to redress the balance is to start adopting a zero tolerance approach to the rules. Football can take the lead by giving an example to others regarding what is acceptable.

Referees should not be approached by any other player other than the team captain, unless the referee has summoned someone over so that he can speak to him. Breaches to this could be dealt with in one of two ways. Either go straight to issuing yellow cards to anyone who breaks this rule, or introduce a sin-bin that could be used as a punishment for first offences. After that, yellow cards. Serial abusers could face suspension and even be banned from the game altogether.

Sin-bins are used in a number of sports - rugby, ice hockey and International Rules football (a hybrid of Australian Rules and Gaelic football… seriously!). In rugby, a player who commits a serious foul or indiscipline is sent to sit on a bench (the sin-bin) for 10 minutes, whilst play continues without him - giving a significant advantage to the opposing team.