Sports Letters: Your reaction to the Michael Atherton affair

Sir: Michael Atherton's treatment by the England management represents the kind of fudging of issues more usually associated with Conservative Party politicians and it is ultimately reprehensible.

For a captain to have been economical with the truth is to invite the sternest stricture for which Mr Atherton should expect no sympathy. However, for the management to have accepted that no foul play had been committed before fining the captain further is as illogical as it is injudicious. To acknowledge Mr Atherton's account and to fine him serves only to indicate that nothing has been learned from the Mike Gatting affair (or lack of one) where the England authorities, while accepting Mr Gatting's denial of his alleged sexual improprieties, chose to fire him for good measure.

Yours,

RICHARD LYNN

London SE19