Captains back good behaviour campaign

More responsibility
A skipper will be given more responsibility for his team's discipline under a Premier League initiative launched on Tuesday, dubbed 'Get on with the Game' and mirroring a similar move last week by the Football Association. Newcastle United FC captain Shay Given said: "In the heat of the moment, everybody can get carried away. But it's important that we respect referees and opponents. And it's important for us as professionals to give a good example." Fulham FC captain Danny Murphy echoed that view, saying: "It's up to us as a group of players to move forward and make sure we are responsible for our actions on the pitch."

Step forward
Chelsea FC's John Terry, who has also captained England, also backed the initiative. "I hold my hands up and say that at times I have over-stepped the mark. But we are here to move forward. This is a step in the right direction," he said.  Along with managers or coaches, captains will meet with the referee when handing in team sheets before a match and will liaise with the official during a game if a player's conduct is causing concern. Players and officials from all 20 Premier League clubs will adhere to a new charter of acceptable conduct.

'Terrific idea'
"I think the idea is terrific. It's designed to cut out excesses and that's what we are trying to do," said the Aston Villa FC manager Martin O'Neill. "Everybody is signed up to make it work and it will be great if it does." Managers, like the players, have pledged not to criticise or question the integrity of match officials or managers and players from the opposition.