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Only captains should talk to the referee

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John Terry has backed the Football Association's fight to rid the game of ugly confrontations between players and match officials.

The Chelsea skipper is in favour of a law being implemented which would only allow team captains to discuss contentious decisions with referees.

The concept has long been muted, but in the wake of blatant showings of a lack of respect from Ashely Cole and Javier Mascherano in the last few weeks it would appear that urgent action is now required.

"I do agree there has to be a line drawn and confronting the referee has to be taken out of the game," Terry said.

"I think we have to give it a go and if it doesn't work then the FA and the officials have to say that. But we have to try these things."

Frustration

Terry was criticised in the aftermath of the Blues' recent 4-4 draw with Tottenham for quickly surrounding referee Mike Riley following Cole's rash challenge on Spurs full-back Alan Hutton.

The England defender insists that he was not harassing the official though and was merely advising Riley to ignore the protests of an irate Tottenham bench.

"I saw their bench jump up and I ran forward to tell Mike Riley not to listen or be intimidated by their bench trying to force him into a decision," explained Terry.

"I spoke to him and he told me 'It was a high tackle and it was going to be a booking', I agreed and walked away.

"There was no argument from me or anyone else close to Mike Riley and I thought he handled it fantastically well.

"Us players have got to set an example to the younger kids playing the game and people watching. But it is a natural reaction when a tackle is made. The fans show their frustration and whistle at the referee and the players have that same reaction because we are all so passionate about the game.

"It is a case of Chelsea appealing for what they feel is right at the time on the pitch. The club have spoken to the players and the manager about it but at the moment we don't feel we are doing it any more than any other club."

Communication

Former referee David Elleray has also given his backing to any plans to give club captains sole responsibility for speaking with match officials.

"We would be happy to go along with it certainly," he said.

"What we don't want is to ban players from ever speaking to a referee during a game because communication is very important. But in terms of major decisions, I think we need to.

"There is a natural reaction among lots of players that when something happens, they all get involved and therefore by trying to change that by saying only the captain can speak to the referee, as long as it doesn't give the captain licence to abuse and disrespect the referee, I think we may then begin to challenge this natural reaction of players."

The FA's director of football development, Sir Trevor Brooking, is keen to see the idea implemented, but has warned that the governing body must do their utmost to ensure that the new rule is adhered to at all times.

"The key is what, at the start of next season, can the professional game make sure they adhere to?" he said.

"It is no good doing something only to have several incidents two weeks later of everyone breaking the code they decided to put in place."