He claims it encourages copycat behaviour, particularly "violence, verbal abuse, foul language, cheating and defiance of authority" making teaching "infinitely more difficult". He compared football to post-watershed programming which allows for more violent or sexual material, saying broadcasters had lost their "moral authority" by continuing to target a family audience.

Mr Ward also called for headteachers at difficult schools to get salaries of up to £150,000. This kind of income should be “commonplace” he said. Currently, a headteacher can earn a maximum of £120,000.

It is undoubtedly true that the aggressive on-pitch behaviour of professional footballers helps set the standard for social behaviour in the playground or classroom. But what Mr Ward fails to mention is the truly appalling example these people set in terms of aspiration. To be a professional footballer or a pop star is at the top of the wish list for many children because such vocations represent the hope of obscene wealth and global fame.

Professional football, once it pays more than the earnings of a plumber, is however, all about greed. And what spectacular greed there is. Is it worse for children to see a footballer swearing at a linesman or for them to see the grotesque and ostentatious materialism of the same player at work off the pitch? In calling for headteachers to be paid an unjustifiable salary, Mr Ward demonstrates an absence of vocation in his own profession and himself sets a totally failed example of “moral authority”.