LETTER: The blame for football riot belongs to clubs, fans ... and MPs

From Mr Ian A. Barker

Sir: Once again the English "football supporters" have disgraced the country and themselves.

I call upon Iain Sproat, the Minister for Sport, to answer one simple question - if he adds up the cost to the country of the professional game of football and subtracts the money put back into the country's purse by the game, does it cost the country money?

With the Government's current philosophy that everything should be self- supporting, if professional football costs the country money - ban it!

Your obedient servant,

IAN A. BARKER

Colchester,

Essex

16 February