“Footballers should behave properly at all times, they are paid vast amounts of money to do something so many young boys dream of. When the clubs take on apprentices they should teach them how to behave, there should also be clauses in their contracts allowing large financial penalties or termination of contract in extreme cases.”

“To Sensational , I am totally in agreement with you but is
it not possible to extend that ruling to spitting generally ,
as well as blowing the nose. I love football and did in fact
play it from 14 yrs until I was 26 yrs old and do you know I
cannot remember spitting going on then - mind you I am
going back some fifty years . One problem is that it so
often looks as though the camera and camera man focus
on the man that is spitting . I agree it is a digusting habit
and I would have thought a man such as a footballer that
is earning £ 100,000 plus per week ought to behave better.
It is certainly teaching the youngsters and apprentices
really bad habits. What is a one match ban to someone
earning that sought of money ?”

“The law should apply on the football field the same as anywhere - spitting is assault and should be treated as such.
Footballers get paid ridiculous wages for what they do, and should be able to control themselves on and off the pitch.
The football 'industry' in this country is about to collapse largely through the greed of players, and the matchfixing scandal about to break won't help matters.”

“Quite agree with all the above and I especially agree with John47 about the law aspect. Perhaps the police should have approached the said player. I doubt it will happen but it should be done as a deterrent.

If the other player had retaliated with a punch I feel that it would have been justified, although I cannot condone violence on or off the pitch.”