FA chiefs last night re-issued their list of acceptable swearwords to head off another Wayne Rooney F-word outburst this weekend.
The emergency list was sent to all 20 Premier League clubs within hours of the Manchester United star’s four letter tirade after his 15 minute hat-trick against West Ham live on Sky TV.
“If Wayne had followed our guidelines we could have avoided this whole unseemly affair,” said FA Director Sir Trevor Brooking.
“Scoring a hat trick in a Premier League match which could as good as clinch the title is an emotional moment, but should be tempered with appropriate language.
“Wayne should have shouted things like ‘I’m flipping over the moon’ or ‘I’m absolutely blooming delighted with that effort.’ Both sentiments perfectly capture the moment, without the use of foul language.”
The Football Association’s Acceptable Cussing Charter was introduced as part of the much-vaunted Respect campaign and includes a long list of expletives approved by some of the game’s leading lights.
Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton produced the more controversial of the words, including: Blinking Heck, Darn It and Crikey, which are deemed acceptable when questioning a refereeing decision.
When being subject to a studs up challenge or headbutt, the FA accepts words like Jeepers, Rats and Crivvens. They do, however, insist the words have to be spoken and not shouted.
Sir Bobby Charlton said: “There is no place for gutter language in the modern game. We’ve all been the victims of abuse, but we must maintain decorum.
“When we were subject to the animal tackling of the Argentinians in 66, the worst I called them was Woodentops. The same should be applied today.
“There’s no love lost between Man U and Leeds, but even when angry, I would only call them Drongos. Just like Norman Hunter was always a Silly Billy in my eyes, Liverpool’s Shankly a Dimwit and George Best a Little Waster.”
Former referee Graham Poll today called for Wayne Rooney to be banned for three games following his F-word outburst.
“Well Graham Poll would, wouldn’t he,” said Sir Bobby. “He’s a fucking wanker.”
