Wrekin MP’s wig protest over football rules

Tuesday 4th October 2011, 11:18AM BST.

Shropshire MP Mark Pritchard showed off his dribbling skills in a friendly football match in a blonde wig after football bosses tried to stop a fellow Tory playing in an annual fixture against journalists, because she is a woman.

The Wrekin MP donned the wig for most of the first half in protest at the Football Association’s treatment of Tracey Crouch.

The Kent MP, a qualified coach and referee, played in the game during the Tory Party conference in Manchester despite the FA ban.

It led to the referee and other match officials withdrawing. She has clashed with the body before because mixed-sex matches are only allowed up until the age of 14.

Mr Pritchard said: “I wore the wig to show solidarity to my blonde colleague, MP Tracey Crouch, and all those women who watch and play football throughout the country.

“This was a friendly match and the Football Association should have been more accommodating of Tracey,” he added.

He was joined in his criticism by David Cameron, who said the FA should have ‘lightened up’. An FA spokesman said it had not changed its position, adding: “As a consequence once Tracey and the two teams confirmed they wanted her to play we stepped back from our official administration and endorsement of the fixture.”

Ms Crouch said: “The rules are there to protect youngsters who are playing in competitive football matches. It is a bit ridiculous to apply them to a bunch of unfit MPs playing a bunch of unfit journalists.”

The Conservative team lost 5-1.

View more: Mark Pritchard Mp news.