BBC News 23 and a quarter

Agreement was finally reached at midnight last night in the long-running dispute between the Football Association (FA) and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).

Historically, it has the been the prerogative of RADA to control the employment of actors in professional public performances. Actors performing for more than a certain number of hours are supposed to either hold the relevant Diploma or to have attended a minimum number of technical courses. The prestigious drama school had been threatening legal action against the FA for using non-actors on the football pitch, most notably immigrant workers from Spain and Italy.

It has now been agreed that all professional footballers will attend a minimum of two RADA courses a year. Included in the first round of technical courses will be ‘General rules of Simulation’; ‘Limping after a tackle’; ‘Rolling over without being touched’; ‘The indignant “I’ve been wronged” look; ‘Pulling your own shirt’; and the award winning ‘ Timing your Dive’.

Christiano Ronaldo, unofficial spokesperson for the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), said he thought the decision was ridiculous. “There is nothing that RADA can teach us about diving. We are the experts.“ But Brian Barwick, Chief Executive of the FA was pleased at the outcome. “Ever since the days of Franny Lee there has been this antagonism between RADA and the FA and I am pleased that it has been resolved.”