10 Aug 2008 - RESPECT - kick's off with the Community Shield
A panel containing The FA's Chief Executive Brian Barwick, Chairman Lord Triesman and Head Of Senior Referee Development Neale Barry were joined by Richard Bevan from the League Manager's Association, Football League CEO Andy Williamson, Premier League Chief Executive Richard Scudamore and Gordon Taylor, Chief Executive of the PFA.
Brought about by concerns within the game at the conduct of players towards referees, the programme’s aim is to ensure greater respect for officials through encouraging closer links between captains and referees, not only in the professional game but also at grassroots level.
Following a 10 week pilot scheme under the guidance of external researchers that involved over 4000 players in 20 adult and youth leagues, The FA in partnership with the Premier League, Football League, PFA, LMA and PGMO, have introduced a series of measures that will be implemented at the start of the forthcoming season.
At the heart of these measures, referees have been instructed to work more closely with captains to manage the players and the game effectively; and in addition to the on field co-operation, there will be pre-match briefing meetings between referees, managers and captains to provide the referee with an opportunity to give a clear message on he intends to manage the game.
Prior to kick-off there will be a team handshake, a scheme which is already seen in the Premier League and has been adopted by the Football League, whilst there will also be a crackdown on the behaviour of managers and coaches in the technical area.
Barwick said today: “The professional game in this country is something that we can all be rightly proud of with fantastic clubs, gifted players, charismatic managers and passionate crowds.
"This success and popularity means that the less appealing aspects of the game are seen and copied further down the football family, week in and out. That, however, is not an excuse for the abuse and intimidation, verbal and physical, which is seen at the grassroots level of the game.
“There is a lot to do and we accept changes in culture don’t happen overnight, however this is a really important programme for the long-term health of the game.
"Football has a unique ability to connect with people and we in football ultimately have a responsibility to ensure that connection is a truly positive one.”
Williamson (pictured above) also highlighted the fact that a third of fans in the 2008 Football League Supporters Survey identified players showing dissent or a lack of respect to match officials as the most important issue for the football authorities to address, and he acknowledged that the professional game must set the tone.
Taylor meanwhile called for parents to show greater responsibility in their support for their children, by adding: "The programme is about equality and respect and it’s about trying to encourage parents to care about their children and not to be obsessed with success.
"We’re in a sport and there are more important things than winning a football match, committed and dedicated as you want the players to be.”
The new Respect measures will be in place for the kick-off to the Football League season and will be promoted in various competition-specific initiatives throughout the season, starting with the Community Shield on Sunday 10 August.
My role in Respect
Respect affects the entire game, and needs your help, regardless of how you are involved in football.
- Player
- Coach
- Referee
- Parents and Spectators
- Club and League Officials
- Club Welfare Officers
- Youth League Welfare Officers
- County FA Welfare Officers
Whether you're in the starting eleven or on the bench, your role as a player is crucial to the success of Respect.
On a matchday, you'll be expected to work with your coaches and your captain to allow the referee to manage the game without being subjected to abuse. With the game losing thousands of referees from the game every year, it's hugely important, because without the referees, the game isn't the same.
If the league you play in adopts the Respect programme, you will be asked to read, agree to, and sign, a Code of Conduct at your club. This will be your 'promise' to abide by a set of rules governing your behaviour as a player. Working together with your coach, your captain, and each referee that takes charge of your games during the season, you can play a major role in improving the game for everyone, through Respect.
Coaches have a hugely important role to play in Respect, as they are not only responsible for their own behaviour, but they can also influence that of their players and spectators, too.
On a matchday, you'll be expected to work with your players, parents and other spectators to allow the referee to manage the game without being subjected to abuse.
The Respect programme aims to allow Referees to officiate matches without being subjected to abuse by players, coaches or spectators - and the referees themselves have a key part to play in the process.
Working in partnership with the clubs they officiate, referees can provide post-match feedback regarding the behaviour of players, parents, coaches and other spectators, to help the clubs enforce their Codes of Conduct.
Parents have a big responsibility as part of the Respect programme.
Respect is working to eradicate touchline abuse in football, and parents can play their part by agreeing to, and signing, their club's Code of Conduct and abiding by them throughout the season.
Parents also have a responsibility for their children's behaviour. The players will also be asked to sign a Code of Conduct, and parents can encourage their children to adhere to the players' code.
The Respect programme relies on clubs and leagues to take active steps to ensure high standards of conduct throughout their club or league.
Leagues can champion the Respect programme, and communicate the importance of Respect to their member clubs through meetings and bulletins. Click here to download the Respect Guide for Leagues.
Club officials can sign up to and enforce Codes of Conduct for their players, coaches, parents and spectators, which will set the standard for behaviour throughout their club.