Referees are being urged to show the red card to players who turn the air blue at Sunday league football matches.

Yalding Parish Council is calling on match officials to clamp down on appalling and offensive language and has written to the Kent Football Association demanding action be taken.

Its chairman Geraldine Brown has grown increasingly frustrated and is asking teams playing at the The Kintons, in Vicarage Road, to hold their tongues.

She said players’ foul-mouthed rants made it inappropriate to take children to watch games or even use the play equipment there.

Mrs Brown added: “A friend of mine took his young daughter there a few weekends ago and she pointed out to him that the language was bad.

“We want the local football association to tell referees to warn players about the language they use before they start a game” - Geraldine Brown

“I think the problem has been ongoing for a while but there’s more interest now.

“Our football club, Yalding and Laddingford FC, is fine. We can control them, it’s the visiting clubs that are the problem.

“We want the local football association to tell referees to warn players about the language they use before they start a game.”

The Football Association has been trying to clamp down on bad language and can issue clubs in the national league system with a fine for poor behaviour.

Yalding and Laddingford FC play in the Kent County Football League Division Three East, which is not part of that.

However, if a player is sent off for using foul or abusive language they will be fined £25 and suspended for up to 35 days.

Steve Faulkner, secretary for Yalding, said the club takes a firm line on the issue.

He added: “Although there have been complaints of swearing at our games these complaints have never been levelled at our players, rather the opposition players.

“All of our players are continually made aware that due to the close proximity of the children’s play area the club will not tolerate abusive language and this has even led to one of the club’s former players being asked to leave.

“Should anybody be offended by the language from on the field please come and see one of the club officials.”

The Kent Football Association did not respond to requests for a comment.