Is trash talking/sledging acceptable in sport?

[GalacticProcess]

Is it acceptable when players trash talk or sledge one another? It sometimes does get out of hand, but is it necessary and 'part of sport'?

[Aaron]

As banter? Sure.

Seriously? Nah. Professional athletes get paid significantly well and represent their club's/team's image + their own. If anything, it just looks childish and definitely should be frowned upon.

[Sine]

Is it acceptable when players trash talk or sledge one another? It sometimes does get out of hand, but is it necessary and 'part of sport'?

Personally I never engage in trash talk during sport but I think it's okay and i guess it's part of the sport like you say as long as it's nothing too personal (e.g. to zidane '06 world cup final), racist, sexist etc

[heids]

True banter is funny.  Seriously attacking others is immature and destructive and I'm not a fan of it anywhere in society, whether sport or not.

[zofromuxo]

I guess the question I ask is how do you draw the line between personal and "banter"?
As this can vary for different people.