British culture secretary Jeremy Hunt says on-field swearing by players needs to be addressed

LONDON – British culture secretary Jeremy Hunt says swearing on the football pitch “has gone too far” and wants authorities to crack down on the problem.

Hunt spoke Monday on British television and said he has some experience of the issue because “I’ve been at the receiving end of it” as a nonprofessional football referee.

Hunt says “I would like to see the football authorities do more” but “we do need footballers to set an example.”

Chelsea captain John Terry was cleared last week of racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand during a Premier League match in October.