Claws out over lineswoman in English battle of the sexes

LONDON, Nov 13 (Reuters) Battle lines have been drawn in a war of the sexes in English football after a disgruntled coach described the use of women match officials as ''tokenism for politically-correct idiots.'' Luton Town manager Mike Newell sparked the row with comments about lineswoman Amy Rayner after his side were denied a penalty in their 3-2 defeat by Queens Park Rangers at the weekend.

''She should not be here,'' Newell was quoted as saying in the British media. ''I know that sounds sexist but I am sexist.

''It is bad enough with the incapable referees and linesmen we have but if you start bringing in women, you have a big problem.

''This is Championship (second division) football. This is not park football. It is tokenism for the politically-correct idiots.'' Newell's views have predictably raised the hackles of women involved in the English game.

Heather Rabbatts, who is executive chairman of second division Millwall, told BBC Five Live radio today: ''It was a slightly staggering comment to be made.

''It's ludicrous to suggest that women are somehow genetically incapable of being good referees.

''As with many other areas in which women have gradually over the years clawed their way into being treated equally they've done it by huge amounts of hard work and often having to be, as we all know, probably twice as good as men.'' Calling for action, Rabbatts added: ''We have to tackle sexism in football just as we tackle racism in football.'' Rayner also got the backing of Rachel Yankey, an England women's international, who told the BBC: ''Amy is a role model.

''Football remains a male-dominated sport but she has the bravery to do something she loves.'' As for the penalty verdict, she added: ''If the decision was wrong he might attack the assistant referee but he should not say she should not be in the game simply because she is a woman.

''Games mean so much to managers and maybe he made those comments out of rage but it cannot be condoned.'' TROUBLE BREWING The comments could spell trouble with the Football Association, who are fully behind Rayner.

FA chief executive Brian Barwick said on the ruling body's Web site that ''officials like Amy Rayner get to where they are on merit, dedication and ability.

''They get the vast majority of their decisions right. Of course they make the odd mistake, but so too do players and managers.'' An FA spokesman said today that Newell's comments were ''under consideration.'' Newell is also in hot water with his club for his post-match comments, which included a tirade at chairman Bill Tomlins.

The club said on its Web site today that it had called an emergency board meeting for 4.00pm (2130 hrs ist) later that day to discuss the comments.

REUTERS PDS KP1617