Male role models

* A government scheme to use professional footballers as male role models in after-school centres at premiership clubs around the country could backfire, according to a Newcastle University education specialist.

Christine Skelton said: "Using football to motivate underachieving boys will increase the gender divide in schools."

The scheme, aimed at countering the macho culture of laddism, risked demotivating the girls and some boys and could affect long-term achievements, she said.