The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word DRIBBLING
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
D
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More clues leading to the result DRIBBLING
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Acting like a baby/playing football?" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case acting like a baby/playing football? = dribbling.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does DRIBBLING mean?
DRIBBLING verb- (basketball, soccer) In various ball games, to move (with) the ball, controlling its path by kicking or bouncing it repeatedly
- To let saliva drip from the mouth, to drool
- To fall in drops or an unsteady stream, to trickle
- To let something fall in drips.
- To live or pass one's time in a trivial fashion.
- An amount of liquid that is dribbled.