FORMER Southend United full-back Chris Powell believes deducting points would stamp out the problem of disrespect towards referees.

Powell, who made 290 appearances during six years with the Shrimpers, is now the chairman of the Professional Football Association.

And he felt strongly enough about the issue to address his fellow players in his speech at the PFA Awards on Sunday.

He called for an end to the abuse of referees on the pitch and feels a severe punishment would be the way to tackle it.

"What we have to look at now is how we move forward, whether that is next season just the captains talking or a different system of bookings or punishments with a zero-tolerance thinking," said the 38-year-old.

"The PFA, the referees' association, the FA - it's time for all the governing bodies to come together and say if we have zero-tolerance towards abuse of referees it would stop.

"If they lost three points it would stop.

"The (Chelsea v Manchester United) match on Saturday, it was such a game of importance. If you said to those two teams that their behaviour would cost you three points, you know for a fact those players wouldn't do it.

"It is a game of emotions as well as physical ability. At times it does overspill but we need to give referees a chance."