THE manager of a youth football team has said aggressive behaviour at matches is “completely unacceptable”.

It comes after a fight broke out between two of his players after a game on Sunday.

Two youngsters playing for the Bournemouth Youth Poppies Under 13s began arguing after their team lost 2-7 to Sholing in the third round of the Hampshire Youth Cup.

It then escalated into a physical fight and both the manager and assistant manager had to intervene in order to put a stop to the incident.

Team manager Bryan Baxter described the incident as “shocking” and “unacceptable”.

But he also said the two players involved have since sent him a letter of apology for their behaviour and language.

“Unfortunately the boys had a tough game which they ended up losing,” explained Mr Baxter, who has coached the under 13s for the last seven years.

“After the game the boys got a bit emotional and a disagreement broke out between two of the players.

“Their behaviour was completely unacceptable. Part of playing football, or any sport, is learning how to lose gracefully.

“It’s such a shame really because this is the first incident we have had of this kind in years.”

According to Mr Baxter Bournemouth Youth Poppies has zero tolerance for aggressive behaviour from the youngsters who play on the team or their parents.

He explained that chairman Kris Roberjot attends all games in order to monitor behaviour and in previous years parents have received a written warning for “trying to coach from the sideline”.

“We are very tight on the behaviour of our parents and players but unfortunately some of the other teams we play are not as concerned,” added Mr Baxter.

“Some of the behaviour from parents on the sidelines can be absolutely shocking.”

Earlier this year Hampshire Football Association piloted a code of conduct in an attempt to stop parents shouting from the touchline which officials claim can intimidate children.

Coaches and spectators at youth matches across the county took part in the trial called Silent Weekend.

Parents were asked not to cheer during games but to give plenty of applause instead.

Hampshire FA said the guidelines would help “create a positive and pressure-free environment in which children can enjoy football and learn to love and develop in the game”.

Mr Baxter said the Bournemouth Youth Poppies had agreed to take part in a ‘silent’ match the weekend before the Sholing game - but it was axed because the other team had said they didn’t want to take part.

Club chairman Mr Roberjot reiterated the manager’s sentiment that the two boy’s behaviour was “unacceptable”.

Speaking to the Echo he said that the boys and their parents had been spoken to but that the situation had been resolved in house.