To the anger of parents, a primary school headteacher has decided to ban football in the playground after children have been copying the antics of some players at this summer's World Cup.
Richard Potter, who is the headteacher at Home Farm School in Colchester, wants to encourage students to play with morals so he has therefore taken drastic action.
Students will write new rules during the ban after the children began 'diving, arguing with each other and taking the game too seriously', according to The Mirror.
The article also states that the kids were copying the antics of Neymar, who has caused controversy in recent days because of his overdramatic diving against Mexico, in particular.
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Potter said: "These are four to 11-year-olds who are trying to emulate the older players - this was causing a lot of arguments.
"I am not anti-football at all. This is a learning opportunity to build on their sportsmanship."
It's fair to say parents aren't happy with the decision as one parent believes that the school should encourage playing football rather that ban it:
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"The World Cup should be an event that encourages more young people to get playing football, not less.
"The fact our headteacher has chosen to ban kids from playing football, I feel, is quite shocking."
Neymar has recently spoken about his actions and he's not having any of it. He said the following after the Mexico game:
"I think it's more an attempt to undermine me than anything else.
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"I don't much care for criticism, not even for praise because this can influence in a way the athlete's attitude. In the last two matches I didn't talk to the press because there are too many people talking, getting excited. I don't know if they're showing off. I am here to win with my teammates."
Thoughts on the incident? Has the diving gone too far?
Let us know in the comments below.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Football News, Football, Neymar
