Sports Letter: Penalising violence

Sir: Violence in rugby union or Association Football will only be cut out if it becomes self-defeating.

A stamping offence or an elbow to the face ought to carry the penalty of 10 points or a goal being added to the score of the opposing side.

Players who use violence would find themselves swiftly dropped from their teams. No manager would tolerate the presence of a player whose lack of self-control could jeopardise his team's success.

Yours sincerely,

E J PENNY

Gloucester

4 December