It’s not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game.

Which means absolutely nada to those parents who prowl the sideline at their children’s matches, verbally abusing referees and generally just being crummy people.

I’ve seen my fair share of this in action, but I’ve never imagined a dispute stemming from such problems would make it all the way to the Constitutional Court of South Africa.

Ding ding ding – let’s get the basics down via Times LIVE:

In one corner are a Johannesburg chartered accountant and his psychiatrist wife, who have been described as “viciously unpleasant and unco-operative parents”. They have an 11-year-old son in Grade 6 and a seven-year-old in Grade 2.

In the opposite corner is [Pridwin Preparatory School] headmaster Selwyn Marx, who in turn has been labelled a “narcissist” and a “sociopath”.

The parents have been embroiled in a protracted legal battle with the school, in Melrose, Johannesburg, since Marx cancelled the parents’ contracts in June 2016, effectively expelling the children, because of the father’s alleged offensive behaviour on the sports field.

Please can someone turn this into a series? Showmax, you’re the kings of local content, what do you think?

The parents and Marx are involved in a tug of war of name-calling, insults and underhanded digs:

A comment by Marx in a school newsletter in October, in which he implied that there are no problem children, only problem parents, did not help ease tensions.

The mother responded in an e-mail: “What I find interesting in the talk [a presentation she had attended] was that narcissists and sociopaths are not lacking in empathy … It is sympathy that these types are incapable of.

“PS. I look forward to this e-mail appearing in the next court documents.”

So, about those court documents – shots are being fired:

In court papers, Marx said: “[The mother] is entirely unco-operative with me and the school.”

He said he had “never had to deal with such viciously unpleasant and unco-operative parents in all my years as a head”.

In his answering affidavit, the father said: “Mr Marx has a negative attitude towards our family. He does not want us in HIS school.”

He said Marx was aggressive. “He stated that I am sick, a madman. He said I am ‘dirt’.

“My wife’s conduct at all times has been to foster co-operation with the school.”

I guess the peeps at Rondebosch have encountered similar behaviour, which is why you can often find this sign pitchside:

Look parents, I know your hopes and dreams have been crushed with the passing of time, and you’re now living vicariously through your children for one last shot at glory, but it’s really not a good look.

Be a role model, or, failing that, just don’t be a massive doos.

You can read all about the legal toing and froing between Marx and the parents here.

[sources:timeslive&saschoolsports]