I HAVE just finished reading the funniest comments ever, those related to the "trashing" of an airliner, allegedly by members of the England soccer team.

Firstly, take the view of the Players' Union official, Gordon Taylor, who said: "If it's drink then the airline must take some responsibility for giving kids too much." Giving alcohol to "kids" indeed. These people are grown men in their mid to late 20s.

Looking logically at what he says, it was either the fault of the airline or the alcohol, but not of any of the English players; for as we all know, they live in absolute fear and sheer terror of the wrath of the FA. Any could pay for the damage out of his back pocket, so what the FA mete out as punishment is really good stand-up comedy.

The only way to punish these offensive persons is ban them from anything to do with the national team - for life! Not a one or two match ban, show them that their England career is over and that it is they who continuously bring the game into disrepute.

They would be the first to malign the fans who behaved in the same way while trying to emulate their idols.

Finally, FA spokesman Steve Double said that one player did not go with the other players to an evening at the races in Hong Kong - he stayed in to have his hair dyed. Doesn't that say it all?

J K MELLOR (Mr), Bayne Street, Hoddlesden.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.