The grassroots football community has reacted with disbelief and anger after an Under-8s coach was kicked out of the Fonacab Development League for sharing a ‘cocaine menu’ in a group chat designed purely for arranging children’s matches.

This group chat is supposed to be about kick-off times, pitch sharing and making sure eight-year-olds get to enjoy their weekend football — not a place for grown adults to circulate drug-related content. For any coach to think this was acceptable is beyond comprehension.

League officials have rightly condemned the message as “disgusting”, and moved instantly to remove the coach. Child protection officers and the coach’s own club were notified immediately. The league has made it absolutely clear that this individual is barred for good, and will not set foot at any Fonacab League venue again. No debate. No second chances.

In a strongly worded statement, the league said that while it cannot monitor every private message sent between coaches, its expectations could not be clearer: any behaviour that puts children’s safety, wellbeing or the reputation of grassroots football at risk will be dealt with on the spot.

They also paid tribute to the many volunteers and coaches who work hard to uphold the values this level of football is built on — a sharp contrast to the behaviour shown here.

Because at the end of the day, this is children’s sport. Their environment should be safe, positive and free from this kind of behaviour. And when someone forgets that, they simply have no place in the game.