PARENTS have told how their football-crazy kids are “gutted” after being suspended by their club for enjoying a lockdown kickabout.

A group of seven-year-old boys from Renfrew FC’s 2013 squad, along with three coaches, were punished over a 45-minute training session at the town’s King George V playing fields.

It is claimed that academy chairman Michael Shearer ruled the session was unauthorised and should not have gone ahead.

However, parents insist the boys have been treated harshly and their mental health could suffer as a result of the suspension.

One parent, who asked not to be named, said the Scottish Football Association (SFA) and Scottish Youth Football Association (SYFA) have been contacted.

“This was just a harmless kickabout on a Saturday morning,” added the parent. “At the moment, the boys can’t play games but they can train, so long as they maintain social distancing.

“Normally, they train twice a week but these official sessions have also been cut back.

“There were only eight or nine involved in the kickabout and they weren’t breaching Covid rules. It was a fun session, organised by three parents who are also coaches.

“There was no contact. They just passed a ball to each other.”

Mr Shearer is chairman of Renfrew FC’s youth section.

The parent added: “According to the chairman, he received two complaints.

“He said parents had broken the rules set by Renfrew FC by organising a training session without his authority. As a result, the parents and boys were suspended immediately.

“The boys did not wear any of the official kits provided by the club for the kickabout and complied with the government’s Covid-19 restrictions.

“The SFA and the SYFA have been contacted, as we feel that seven-year-olds should never be suspended, especially in this current pandemic, as it could affect their mental health.

“I am absolutely livid. My son can’t understand why he is being suspended for doing something he loves.

“This is overkill. The club has not thought about the consequences and how it would affect children who are only seven years old.”

A spokeswoman for the club said: “Renfrew FC Youth will not be commenting on this matter.”

The SYFA did not respond to a request for comment.

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