Click Here to be part of the Respect Officials Campaign

Sir Trevor Brooking, the FA's director of football development

expects the FA's Respect campaign to be adopted by the professional game from the start of next season after seeing the pilot project receive a fanfare of positive feedback....more

Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, Backs Respect Campaign

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has added his support to the campaign...more

Ferguson backs call for respect to referees

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has backed the campaign for players to show greater respect to referees...more

Players and Referees opinions

I really hope the RESPECT campaign works but believe that the example will be set by those at the very top level. Using the recent match between Wigan Athletic and Manchester United, with so much at stake, it worried me that Fergie was in constant dialogue with the 4th official.
This was a trick used by former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho. I'm not sure why some of the top managers are constantly in the ears of officials rather than concentrating on their own team or game. In terms of amateur football, I believe this filters down into the men's and junior games. I think the rugby idea of only the team captain debating refereeing decisions is good practice and should be adopted. Barnet tried it this season and their disciplinary record has vastly improved.
The bottom line is that if you respect yourself, your teammates and your opponents, it will make the football field a nicer place for everyone. Either players turn up to play football or they don't. The choice is yours...

Danny Caro

i agree that sport should be taken more lightly and as its a major thing in society the players should be setting a good example.

pooley

I think the biggest frustration with some referees is the lack of common sense they show. Sometimes a booking can just be a talking to or a foul can lead to an advantage being played. If the governing bodies allowed officials to use their own discretion to override ANY ruling then it would be better for the game (e.g. not booking players for taking their shirts off to celebrate!).

FC Team

we should reduce forms of physical abuse on the pitch to set a different standard of football

steve

I thought Andy Myerson handled our match with pure orange brilliantly.
There was an incident where our player mistimed a challenge on the opposition keeper and the keeper reacted by kicking out.
At the time 70 minutes had been played and FC TEAM were in total toal control. The ref showed a yellow to both players, cooled the situation and the game continued in good spiits.
Its nice to see some common sense even at grass roots level
well done andy UP THE TEAM

mitchyoung

wathcing the games ive realised the effect on other people. the FA intent makes sense!!

danr

[15/12 10:35AM]

Derby games are always filled with intense passion and pressure. Neither team nor fan wants to leave the stadium on the losing side. Add to this the fact that West Ham are near the bottom of the Premier League table and the importance of every point becomes crucial. Oh, let’s not forget that the Hammers were facing title chasing Chelsea away at Stamford Bridge.
In the opening half hour Chelsea saw most of the ball with West Ham on the back foot. Against the run of play Craig Bellamy collected the ball and drove a low half-volley past Peter Cech to put the Hammers ahead. The travelling West Ham supporters went wild with excitement. Every Liverpool fan watching the game must have been cheering the Hammers on to a second goal. But one man showed his emotions in a very different way.
West Ham manager remained on the side line keeping his emotions in check. After the game Zola explained that it was his first time back to The Bridge were he played his football for many years and the fond memories of the club and it’s supporters. He said, “I had to pay some respect to these people; I like to RESPECT people who have given me so much. I've had a fantastic reception, it's amazing.
“Inside, I was very happy for our goal.

Very noble indeed but did the Chelsea fans notice? Who could name any player or manager coming back to their old club and containing themselves like this? Do you think Zola was just being a bit over sensitive?

[18/11 09:22AM]

How many times are players and teams going to be subjected to poor refereeing decisions and yet not being able to do sweet Fanny Adams about it? Referee Andre Marriner admits he got it wrong issuing the second yellow card and therefore subsequent dismissal to Emmerson Boyce for his tackle on Newcastle’s Shola Ameobi.

Steve Bruce is demanding FIFA change their 'ridiculous' rules after discovering Emmerson Boyce's red card cannot be rescinded.
FA Secretary Stuart Hayton said: 'I have spoken to the FA disciplinary department and, even though they agree that the decision was incorrect, FIFA rules do not permit them to act independently.'

Now Boyce will miss Wigan’s next game against Everton and for for no good reason.
Wigan fans have you got any comments you would like to direct at FIFA, the governing body for allowing such nonsense to exist?

[14/11 09:05AM]

Referee Steve Bennett has hit back at players and managers who have complained about referee’s performance in recent weeks.

Top referee Steve Bennett has branded misbehaving managers and players as “animals” while demanding support for the FA’s Respect campaign.
In an extraordinary blast, the Kent official, who takes charge of Chelsea’s trip to West Brom tomorrow, hit out at attacks against his profession.
Referees have come under sustained fire over controversial decisions this season, shattering the FA’s bid to protect their authority.
Bennett has had enough. He believes football’s breakdown in discipline is beginning to mirror the collapse in moral standards within our society.
He said: “Away from the pitch, most of us would never fire such offensive verbal abuse at another human being.
“We would never act like ravenous animals smelling blood or remonstrating with frenzied and vulgar gestures. Regrettably, football – the sport acknowledged as the beautiful game – is tarnished when this type of behaviour occurs.
“The FA’s Respect programme has gone a long way in helping the current situation. Match officials must feel confident and safe when they officiate at any level.
“It has highlighted the need for everyone in the game to have a more responsible approach to the welfare of the referee.” (The Mirror)
Firstly would you agree with Bennett that the ‘Respect’ campaign has helped? I still players crowding referee’s aghast at every decision. Secondly, who is really to blame here? Are managers expecting too much or just under too much pressure? Or should we demand from the level of refereeing that is seen up and down the country?
The managers and players are very quick to criticise the referee for every wrong decision. Imagine if the same was applied to a defender who missed a tackle or midfielder who misplaced a pass – and think how much harder it is to judge whether someone is offiside 20 yards away through a crowd of players.
Surely we have to support the referee’s in these cases?

[05/11 09:23AM]

When the FA introduced the ‘ Respect’ campaign at the beginning of the season it was meant to bridge the gap between Referees, Managers and Players. We all have to agree that it has succeeded in changing the behaviour of the players on the pitch. No longer do we get those petulant moments when players lose the plot and abuse the officials. But it has to be said that referees are losing the respect of the managers, players and the fans with the raft of shocking decisions being called during a match. Has the campaign lost its credibility?

Tony Poll, writing for the Daily Mail wrote, “ We cannot remember a time with so many obvious errors which has led to an apparent breakdown of relationships between managers and referees.
Just last weekend we saw:
œ Sir Alex Ferguson jabbing a finger at Mike Dean.
œ Roy Keane being sent to the stands at Stamford Bridge.
œ Opposing managers Paul Ince and Tony Mowbray joining forces to condemn Mike Jones.
œ Paul Jewell, while showing commendable restraint, still bemoaning his fate at the
hands of Stuart Attwell.
Poll also asks if the FA have compounded matters by sanctioning the overturning of referees’ decisions by men who have never had to learn the Laws of the Game, let alone try to apply them.

So where do we go from here? What needs to happen for the referees to be able to perform to a higher degree of concistancy, apply the rules with better accuracy and win back respect?

[02/11 08:07AM]

Too often we have heard Arsene Wenger criticise a referee for getting things wrong and not protecting his players. This weekend was no exception. We all saw what happened when van Persie lost his patience and barged into the Stoke goalkeeper even after the keeper had released the ball. Absolutely nobody could have been surprised when referee, Rob Styles pulled out the dreaded RED CARD.

But how did Wenger react? He said how childish van Persie was but that the ref should have only have issue a Yellow Card. How can you take him seriously anymore. He has different rules for his players.

Is it this kind of attitude that is causing problems in the Arsenal camp. 'Our players are always hard done by, it's never our fault.' It would be nice to hear from anyone out there if you disagree. Does Wenger think he is above the law and does he actually have RESPECT for anyone who does not agree with him?

[27/10 11:09AM]

At the launch of the Respect a Referee campaign Graham Poll was out their extolling its virtues. Has he not understood you only get RESPECT by earning it and not just because you have the Refs armband and a whistle in your hand.
According to Poll players and fans have to accept whatever decisions the refs make even if they are blatantly wrong.
In the past few weeks we have seen the FA rescind two very wrong RED CARD decisions. One after Mark Halsey sent off John Terry for a fowl on Manchester City striker Jo and the other when Newcastle’s Habib Beye tackled Manchester City’s Robinho.

Poll took exception to the FA’s action and has suggested that all this would do is to undermine the authority of the refs and it would not be good for the game. Well do you think Poll makes sense or do you think he has lost the plot?

[23/09 11:16AM]

The ‘Respect’ campaign, brought in this season to help clean up the tarnished image of top flight football in this country has been undermined already – and the FA have no one to blame but themselves.
The FA’s ‘Respect’ campaign was the laughing stock of football as anarchy broke out.
First, Bolton star Kevin Nolan admitted he told a team-mate to deliberately clobber Arsenal ace Theo Walcott.
Then FA chiefs farcically fined Manchester United just £25,000 for having seven players booked during Sunday’s heated clash at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge.
They also decided to take no action against United’s Rio Ferdinand, who was seen screaming abuse at referee Mike Riley and fourth official Rob Styles.
And no action will be taken either against Chelsea after one of their fans attacked United’s team bus with a bottle.
The FA launched their prized Respect campaign in a blaze of publicity, declaring it would clean up the game.
But former Prem ref Jeff Winter said: “Gradually, it’s being ignored.
“Then Terry virtually rugby tackles an opponent at Manchester City, rightly gets sent off and the FA rescinds the red card. (The Sun)

By not standing up to the players and clubs, the FA has sent out completely the wrong message.

What can be done? Can they FA turn it around or has this campaign lost all credibility?

What would you do to clean up the game? Does it need cleaning up in the first place?

[17/09 07:25AM]

At the beginning of the season Fergie got behind the Respect an Official campaign. Well, has the latest episode involving the John Terry’s Red Card being overturned been too much for any reasonable person to accept. The referee’s chief Keith Hacket stepped into the saga, gave his opinion that he disagreed with Mark Halsey’s decision and so forced the hand of the FA to rescind the Red Card and register a Yellow Card violation.

Looking at replays of the incident it shows that two Chelsea defenders were covering Terry and might have denied Jo, the Manchester City striker, a goal scoring opportunity.

This being the case you might agree with Keith Hacket. But Terry was not sent off for being the last defender involved in the incident, he was sent off for serious foul play. Again, looking at the repays you have to ask yourself what was the intent of the defender. Does Terry normally go into a tackle and fling his arm across the attacking player’s chest. I pose the thought that he was unaware of the Chelsea defenders possibly available to offer support and he clearly knew he needed to slow down the striker at all costs. This would clearly have been categorised as serious foul play or even a professional foul. Under these circumstances a Red Card would have been called for.
So the jury is out. Does Sir Alex have a justifiable complaint and has Keith Hacket undermined the ‘Respect a Referee campaign?

[09/09 06:32AM]

The FA ran a Respect pilot study in 19 leagues across England and these spectator areas had a hugely positive effect on behaviour. The barriers literally draw the line which parents and spectators should not cross.

Clubs should create Designated Spectators' Area on one side of the pitch - it is recommended that fans and parents/carers from both sides stand behind this barrier on one full length of the pitch.

It is then recommended that the coaches of both teams stand on the other side of the pitch, meaning players get instructions from just one side of the pitch.

Youth leagues will be able to apply for Designated Spectator Barrier equipment for every team within their league and 50% of the cost will be subsidized by The Football Foundation.

The FA- endorsed Respect Zone Barrier Kit consists of:
·         120 metres of specialized Respect Zone tape ( 2x60 Metres lengths)
·         A complete set of safety poles
·         A simple to use and effective reeling system
·         Assembly kit comprising of mallet, securing pegs and instructions
·         Lightweight carry bag

Both the poles and rope must be removed in the interests of safety after each game unless they are to be used for subsequent matches that day.

[21/08 09:53AM]

The FA’s respect programme includes 4 practical steps to improve ehaviour on the pitch and on the sidelines.

Code of conduct.

For players, coaches, refs and spectators.

Designated spectator areas.

Along the sidelines, behind which all spectators should stay

3. Captain taking responsibility.
4. Referee controllong the game.

The FA hope that Respect will ensure a safe, positive environment for everyone to enjoy football. From the start it will have an impact on the following areas:
Referee recruitment and retention: By tackling abuse towards match officials, we hope to reduce the stream of referees understandably leaving the game.
Participation within youth football: Abuse and pressure from the sidelines needs to stop if we are to ensure young children enjoy, stay and progress in the game.
Coaching and player development: An encouraging and player-centred approach is vital if we are to improve coaching standards - particularly for the key 5-11 age-group. It's simple: better coaches produce better players.
Safeguarding children: Everyone in football has a duty of care towards children - ensuring they are able to play football in a safe, enjoyable environment free of abuse, bullying and discrimination.

[28/07 07:00AM]

Whilst footballers from Premier League to parks are constantly criticised for disrespecting match officials, rugby league players are traditionally held up as role models. These huge men, playing an aggressive, physical game have been rightly praised for respecting the spirit of their game. For example, they call the referee ‘sir’ rather than the multitude of epithet’s footballers’ use.

Shame then on Wigan forward Gareth Hock. He faces a charge of manhandling the referee in the Super League defeat by Huddersfield last Friday. Initially he was punished for dissent, was shown a red card and then pushed the referee.

Quite rightly physical abuse of match officials is regarded as the most serious of offences and carries a minimum suspension of 8 matches in Rugby League.

Even by the low standards of footballers, a professional player pushing a referee is behaviour that warrants a long ban. I can only recall one top level incident, 10 years ago, when Paolo Di Canio pushed Premier League referee Paul Alcock. Alcock who tottered and fell backwards was accused by the player of play acting! Di Canio received an 8 match ban for the incident (plus 3 for his original red card offence).

Hock deserves to have the book thrown at him. In the present climate when respect for match officials is supposedly high on the FA’s agenda, the Rugby League authorities need to ensure that they don't risk going down football’s slippery slope.

[22/07 08:04AM]

Sweden given win after ref attack
Denmark
June 2007
Sweden have been awarded a 3-0 win after the abandonment of their Euro 2008 qualifier in Denmark when a spectator attacked the referee.
Denmark have been fined £41,000 and must play their next four home games at least 250km away from Copenhagen.
The Group F tie on 2 June was locked at 3-3 with 89 minutes gone when a drunken fan attacked referee Herbert Fandel after he awarded a penalty to Sweden.
Denmark had fought back from 3-0 down to level the scores when Fandel sent off Danish defender Christian Poulsen and awarded Sweden a penalty.
But his decision was followed by the fan invading the pitch, with several Danish players intercepting the supporter before he could reach the referee.
The officials subsequently left the field and the spot kick remained untaken.
As a further punishment Denmark must play their next home fixture behind closed doors and Poulsen has been handed a three-match ban for punching Sweden's Markus Rosenberg in the stomach.
The unidentified fan said: "It was incredibly stupid of me.
"I want to apologize to Denmark, Sweden and the referee for my inhuman behavior."
Midfielder Poulsen was full of remorse after punching Sweden striker Rosenberg.
"I was involved in a tussle with the Swedish player, who I felt had provoked me twice. I saw red and I hit him," said Poulsen.
"I would like to apologise to my team-mates and the general public. It's the most stupid thing I've ever done.
15 YEAR OLD REFEREE ATTACKED
Italy
From DataSport.it

A young 15 yr.old referee from Naples was beaten by 12 year olds during a soccer match for whistling a penalty kick in the last minute of the game. This occured last Sunday in Posillipo, Italy.
The youth in question, L.M., had been asked to referee a U-13 match between Virgilio and Bagnolese. The match was quiet until the last minute when Virgilio was awarded a penalty. What began as insults to the ref, soon turned to spitting, punching, and kicking of the poor kid by the Bagnolese players.

Pinto 'punch' investigated by FIFA
Portugal
ESPN
June 16, 2002

Portugal forward Joao Pinto could face a serious sanction from world governing body FIFA who have television evidence that he punched Argentine referee Angel Sanchez after being sent off in Friday's clash with South Korea.
FIFA communications director Keith Cooper said the report of the referees inspector on the incident had been submitted to the body's disciplinary committee, which was due to meet on Sunday.
He said a special hearing with the referee would take place on Wednesday in Tokyo.
Portugal's captain Fernando Couto also held Sanchez by the face as the the players argued with the referee in the protests that could even have an impact on the availability of Joao Pinto and Couto for the 2004 European championship that Portugal hosts.
Cooper declined to say whether the report included allegations of punching.
But FIFA sources said the ruling body had television pictures of the incident on the pitch and photographs were taken of the bruise on Sanchez's body that the referee alleges was caused by Joao Pinto's punch.
'He punched me on the left, in the ribs,' Sanchez told Portuguese state radio on Saturday in an interview.

Bulgarian Football Referee Beaten up in Sofia

Bulgaria
7 March 2008

Football referee Valeri Petrovski was beaten up Friday morning in his car while waiting for his wife in Sofia's Zona B19 district.

Petrovski was attacked about 7 am by two people armed with knuckle-dusters, police reported.

The referee suffered severe head injures but his life is out of danger, doctors from the Pirogov hospital, where the victim was taken, said.

The reasons behind the attack are still unknown and investigation has been launched into the case.

Petrovski is said to be one of the most experienced referees in Bulgaria's second division. In 2006, he was beaten up during a football match between the teams of Naftex and Dunav.

Players attack referee at Bosnian Cup
Bosnia
November 16, 2005
Reuters
A Bosnian Cup quarterfinal between fierce rivals Zeljeznicar and Sarajevo was abandoned five minutes into the second half after Sarajevo players attacked the referee in protest at a decision.
Referee Dusan Pekija had to be treated by paramedics while Sarajevo player Samir Saric lost consciousness after appearing to be hit by Pekija as he tried to defend himself, Bosnian radio reported.
Sarajevo players surrounded and pushed Pekija after he ruled that Sarajevo forward Saric used his hand in Zeljeznicar's penalty area instead of awarding them a penalty.
Just minutes before they had strongly protested against the referee's decision to rule out an effort by Saric for offside.
Following a 10-minute break, during which the players of both top division sides stayed on the pitch, the game was called off with Zeljeznicar leading 1-0.
The teams drew 1-1 in the first leg a week ago.
The Sarajevo derby is usually a tense but peaceful affair, although a preseason friendly two years ago was interrupted after a brawl involving players, coaching staff and fans.

[29/06 05:37PM]

In a new initiative – due to be enforced when the new season starts in September, children under the age of eight will be banned from playing in football leagues and competitions with cups amid fears they are under too much pressure from competitive parents. The FA have ruled that youngsters can still play matches but the results must be kept private and no league tables can be compiled. They should not compete in knock out tournaments where trophies or medals are at stake.

This move is aimed to at protecting children from pushy parents and aggressive coaches watching from the touchline and from bullying or peer pressure. A spokesman for the FA added that the ruling had been made after consultation with junior leagues. It followed pilots where parents and managers were kept at a distance from the pitch to try to reduce the pressure on the youngsters.

The FA spokesman added, “ We are trying to create an environment where children can develop their skills and enjoy the game without the pressure of having to get a result week in, week out.”

“ Children told us they were giving up football because they were getting hollered at if they made a mistake. If they enjoy the game they will have plenty of time to get competitive.”

However Graham Spencer, secretary of Golden Common Youth Football Club near Winchester, Hampshire, commented, “ I am not sure how you can actually play football non-competitively.”

Other junior league organisers argue it is essential that youngsters learn about winning and losing. Children just enjoy making new friends, enjoying the fun and being part of a team. Maybe it is only a question of keeping the parents in check and educating the managers to be more adjusted to the spirit and pleasure of the game.

[27/06 07:33AM]

Mass brawl halts kids' soccer match in Coventry

Coventry Telegraph
Apr 15 2008
A YOUTH football match in Coventry had to be abandoned after angry parents stormed on to the pitch.
A mass brawl followed and the referee had to call off the cup semi-final.
The drama happened on Sunday at Bablake playing fields, Norman Place Road, Coundon.
Two teams of 15 and 16-year-olds were taking part in a semi-final of the prestigious Birmingham County Minor Challenge Cup.
Christ the King Juniors, from Coundon, Coventry, were winning 6-0 against Olton Ravens Youth, from near Solihull.
The Coventry side were cruising towards the final for the first time in their history.
But in the second half, trouble flared.
It started when the referee awarded a free kick against Christ the King. A scuffle broke out between two players - and then more than a dozen parents rushed on to the pitch and joined in the fracas.
The match officials and team coaches had to lead the players away to safety, and the referee abandoned the game.
Coventry has the worst record in the West Midlands for trouble on the touchline in children's football.
Already this season abusive parents have forced six Coventry Minor League matches to be abandoned and dozens of referees to quit the game.
And a code of conduct for parents and other spectators is now being drawn up. It could lead to people who are abusive to officials and play-ers being fined or banned from the touchline.

Footballer spared jail over referee assault

SUFFOLK, UK
Buxton Avertiser

19 April 2008

A Suffolk footballer who punched a teenage referee during a village game was given an 18-week suspended jail term.
Jonathan Futter, 22, of Mildenhall, hit 19-year-old Samuel Douglas in the face after being sent off during a local derby in December, Bury St Edmunds Magistrates' Court heard.

Futter was ordered to pay Mr Douglas, who needed stitches, £500 compensation.

Futter, who admitted assault, has been given an indefinite ban by the Football Association, the court heard.

Man bailed after referee assault
BBC Bedfordshire
13 March, 2004
A 25-year-old man arrested by police investigating an assault on a football referee has been released on bail.
Darren Flanagan, 35, from Sandy in Bedfordshire, had his jaw broken while officiating at Bedford and District league cup match.
This week referees in the county voted to strike this weekend to say bad behaviour will not be tolerated.
The arrested man, who has not been charged, must return to Greyfriars police station 19 April.
Mr Flanagan had two metal plates and nine screws fitted by a surgeon to his shattered jaw after the attack on 14 February.

TEENAGERS ATTACK REF IN THE STREET
LIVERPOOL, UK
the liverpool echo
26 November 2006

A referee was beaten up in the street by members of a teenage football team in an apparent revenge attack. The well-known match official was set upon by around 10 players, some he recognised from a side in the Anfield junior league, who repeatedly punched and kicked him. As he lay bruised and battered on the pavement, the laughing yobs shouted: "What are you going to do now, send us off?"

The referee was left needing hospital treatment - including stitches to an ear wound apparently caused by a bite. Two weeks earlier, the Anfield man had taken charge of a game involving two sides in a bad-tempered match. Police investigating the assault are considering if the louts targeted the referee because of his actions in the stormy fixture. Officials will be asking the team to name the culprits and the players could be banned from all future league games.

Steve O'Reilly, organiser of the Anfield junior league, said: "Up to 10 lads really beat him to a pulp.
"The referee recognised some of them from a controversial game he's taken charge of a couple of weeks ago. This will not be tolerated and we will find those responsible and take action."

The referee, in his 40s, was confronted on Friday evening as he left the pub where he had enjoyed a drink. He was left with facial injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment.

Player banned after assault on referee

BRADFORD, UK
The Telegraph & Argus
19th Nov 2004.
GARY Hooper, has been banned until further notice from the Craven League for assaulting a referee while playing for Earby Town earlier this season.
Hooper received a 185-day ban from all football from the West Riding FA, lasting from October 1 to April 3.
But, at a Craven League meeting earlier this month, the management committee announced they have withdrawn the registration of the player for the forseeable future.
At the same meeting, it was announced, subject to appeal, that a member club has been cautioned for bringing the game into disrepute and warned regarding its future conduct.

GUN THREAT AT FOOTBALL MATCH
LONDON, UK
February 13, 2005
The Observer
Ben Youard is a 34-year-old maths teacher from Islington in north London who, like thousands of players up and down the country, enjoys recreational football. Except on one rather remarkable day...
'I was playing in a match in the Invicta Sports League in south London,' he recalls. 'The opposition were all in their early twenties and they had a centre-back who was particularly aggressive - kicking people, making late tackles, all that.
'Somebody made a bad tackle on him, and he completely lost it with the other player. The referee had to pull them apart and, when the game restarted, the guy went off to the sideline to his bag, pulled a gun out and started waving it at the referee saying, "Next time anyone does that to me, I'm going blow their head off." His team-mates calmed him down and made him put the gun away.
'The game was abandoned immediately and all of the opposing team, apart from the gunman, pleaded with the referee not to report them to the FA. They said the nutter was just a ringer who didn't normally play for them. That's the excuse that all teams use when there's a bad incident like that.'

[19/06 06:42AM]

Rob Bailey is part of the ECB list of 24 full-time umpires for the current season.
"Bailey is generally regarded as one of the finest men to have played county cricket in the past 30 years," wrote Michael Henderson. "He was a very good batsman too, in his palmy days a most accomplished strokeplayer for Northamptonshire."

[05/06 09:18AM]

Did the referee make the right decision? should he have given any red cards?

[03/06 05:16AM]

Ferguson rants and Wenger whinges, the two longest serving Premier League managers are not known for their respect of referees. Their personal styles are very different but every defeat, however few and far between, is inevitably blamed on the match officials.

However, if the FA’s Respect campaign is to have any chance of success next season, the example needs to come from the two at the top. The omens are not good.
Wenger predicted that the European Champions League Final winners would be determined by the referee. It obviously didn’t occur to him that players can actually decide who wins or loses.
Ferguson was seen to berate the excellent referee, Lubos Michel, on returning to the pitch after half time in Moscow presumably because he’s simply addicted to this kind of behaviour.
So what might encourage the gruesome twosome and their Premier League managerial colleagues to change their tune? Former England manager Graham - Do I Not Like That - Taylor has a proposal that would immediately improve behaviour.
He suggests that clubs should be penalised for misconduct. He has proposed a one point deduction for four yellow cards and two points for each red.
Like it or loath it, it’s no good rubbishing an idea unless you’ve got a better one. What’s yours?

[29/05 04:43PM]

Watching the England game last night, I was wondering whether Wayne Rooney has actually heard of the Respect Officials Campaign. I suspect it shares an equal amount of space in his consciousness with his views on the conflict in Darfur and his understanding of the 10p tax band.

Now, we all know little Wazza is a competitive soul. He’s like a hyperactive bulldog who’s overdosed on SunKist and is tripping on the e numbers but he wears his heart on his sleeve and he obviously takes a lot of pride playing for his country.

That’s all well and good but last night against the Yanks the boy was a disgrace.

His shame-faced moment came in the 76th minute when the Roonster flew into an ill-advised and frankly brutal tackle on one of the Americans. It was a foul all night long but our Wayne didn’t see it that way and reacted in a way that sadly proved the Respect Officials Campaign has got its work cut out.

As the unfortunate American picked himself up and checked he was still in possession of all his limbs, the referee came across to award the free kick but Wazza took exception and launched a tirade at the official that would have made a navvy with Tourettes blush.

Now you didn’t need to be a skilled lip reader to know what he said. “F**k off, f**k off, f**king pr**k” is how I think it went, which he rounded off with a flourish, turning his back on the ref and throwing his left arm up in disgust. Respectful it was not.

OK, so Kyros Vassaras (the ref!) was a bit whistle happy at Wembley but Rooney’s reaction was appalling and his crime was compounded by the fact his industrial strength bout of effing and jeffing was caught by the cameras but he’s got to hold his hands up and apologise.

Yes, football’s competitive game (although it was only a friendly last night) but we’re never going to see the players genuinely show the officials more respect until individuals are held to account.

Rooney is a national idol. The kids love him, big business are desperate for him to endorse their products and the media can’t get enough of him. He’s a rich boy and he’s probably got enough in the bank now for the complete course of laser hair removal he’s been saving up for.

But with all that comes responsibility and if he’s the kind of role model we’re collectively happy to condone, we’re up the effluent stream without any means of propulsion.

The Respect Officials Campaign was long overdue but it’s going to be meaningless until we all stand up and say, Wazza you were bang out of order. You did a disservice to the shirt and you should hold your hand up. And that’s only going to happen when we all stop blindly worshipping the players and start demanding they behave.

PS – Was it just me or did Ashley Cole get booed by the England fans every time he touched the ball last night? I know telly can distort the crowd noise at a game but it sounded to me like he got the bird every time he was in possession. Has there ever been a more unpopular England player?
by IainSpragg

[28/05 06:12AM]

Seth:

"I saw Fura (Oakwood's man who was sent off in white) take down Simon (Bafana player in green), and start hitting him in the stomach repeatedly, (I was standing next to them as it happened, which is why I had such a good view of it) which of course warrants and aggressive reaction towards him (not physical). I told him that it was unacceptable and that he should be ashamed of himself and that he was "a fucking pathetic pathetic old man". At this point I walked off, which you can see in your video.

Next thing I know, the ref is calling me over and without warning sends me off. As you can see in the video I started to turn away as I presumed I was being booked for descent as I was openly angry (not towards the ref, nothing was said to the ref at all).

I was given no explanation as to why I was sent off. I did ask but he just told me to get off the pitch. At the end of the game I went up to him CALMLY with one of our player's dad to simply inquire as to why I was sent off, to which he responded "you walked over 30 yards towards the player (oakwood's player) and began aggressively swearing at him. This is untrue as said above I was standing next to simon when it happened. I was also unaware that swearing at another player was a straight red offense, as swearing at other players happens throughout pretty much every match I have ever played in, and I have rarely seen people even booked for it!"

[28/05 05:52AM]

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[May 28, 2008]

Sir Trevor Brooking, the FA's director of football development

Expects the FA's Respect campaign to be adopted by the professional game from the start of next season after seeing the pilot project receive a fanfare of positive feedback.

This would mean strict new rules governing the conduct of players, managers and coaches in the Barclays Premier League and the Coca-Cola League from August and a new framework of punishments, ranging from fines and bans to a points deduction.

Sir Trevor said, “We have to make sure there's clarity. The professional game understands that they must be part of it, but they are under a lot of scrutiny and want to make sure that what we do is sustainable. We don't want to see it disintegrating two or three weeks into the season.

There have been three key themes: only the captain of each team is allowed to talk to the referee; spectators must stand behind a barrier; and players, coaches and spectators must sign a code of conduct which dictates their behaviour and outlines punishments for breaking the rules.

"The biggest challenge will be to make people understand clearly that if you do this, it's a red card, if you do this, it's a yellow and if you continue, it will be a second yellow. Initially, there will be a reaction and perhaps bits of inconsistency, but we must make sure everyone understands what's acceptable and what's not."

Sir Trevor accepts that things need fine-tuning before any expansion into the professional game. For example, referees sometimes wanted to talk to a player other than the captain.

Any code of conduct for professionals would include their public comments, behaviour in the technical area and the framework for dealing with repeat offenders, which can obviously not be monitored from a trial.

Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, Backs Respect Campaign

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has added his support to the campaign for footballers to start respecting referees, urging that captains be booked if they fail to control their players.

"Whether they like it or not, our footballers have a greater responsibility than anyone else - because they are so idolised and respected by our young people" he said.

Ferguson backs call for respect to referees

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has backed the campaign for players to show greater respect to referees.

"We tell them to shake the hand of the referee at the end of the game. It's sometimes difficult but they have to do it.

"In the same way if you lose a game we invite the opposing manager for a drink after the game. We do it because we think it's important. Life goes on."

Richard Scudamore, Premier League CEO said, “All our players are role models - we must teach them how to behave

Everyone involved in the Premier League — every chairman up and down the country — is very conscious about the image of this wonderful game ... and the behaviour of players is the biggest single contributor to that image.

The players are who the fans identify with — they are the icons of this great sport.

Ashley Cole and Javier Mascherano incidents have highlighted the problems at the top end of the game, with the the focus firmly on how players treat the officials.

At a time when the leaders of English soccer are campaigning for players at all levels to respect those struggling to keep order, the big names aren't listening

Ashley Cole turned his back on a referee who was about to show him a yellow card. Cole stood defiantly with his back to referee Mike Riley, who repeatedly asked him to turn around. He dragged the name of Premier League soccer into the mud at a time when Football Association chairman Lord David Triesman is trying to persuade youngsters to show more respect to officials .

Javier Mascherano had to be pulled away from an official who had just given him a red one.

If Cole behaves like that and Mascherano chases after referee Steve Bennett over his red card, what's the point of Triesman preaching good behavior to young players who copy the stars?

You can't deny there is a link between what players do and what people who watch them do.

They see how players show dissent on the pitch, they see what managers do on the touchline and they think it is acceptable behaviour on the terraces and — considerably more disturbingly — in Sunday games, school games and junior games. IT IS NOT.

Gateshead- based Redheugh Boys Club, Chairman Terry Ritson supports Roy Keane's view that Premier League managers should be setting standards too. Ritson said, “ And the likes of (Arsene) Wenger and (Sir Alex) Ferguson try to influence the referee; they should be brought to book as well.”

FA RESPECT REFEREES STRATEGY

Strapline – “Do Unto Others”
Definition

- Unless everyone understands what is meant by ‘respect' then it can't
be put into practice.

• Definitions always include the words, “esteem, admiration, regard”. This shows just how ambitious the FA's initiative is.

Current State

• Respect cannot be imposed (at least not these days) it must be earned
• Neither a uniform nor an authority position in itself commands respect whether on a football field or elsewhere
• At present match officials are seen as either an evil necessity or a necessary evil. Whatever the reasons, the rights and wrongs, it has taken years for the relationship between referees and those they referee to deteriorate as far as they have.
• The annual loss of football referees in England is 7000, 25% of the total.

FA Intent

• The FA stated strategic intent is to “reduce all forms of physical and verbal abuse”.
• The FA's intent is not new. On 1st August 2005 the then chairman, Geoff Thompson, emphasised the need to “respect referees and opponents”. Nothing positive happened. So what needs to make it happen now?

Principles

• Do unto others - treat them as you'd like them to treat you.
• Respect the Laws of the Game … Law 5, “ The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are final ”.

• Respect the fact that the referee's opinion will often differ from your own
• Respect the fact that we all make mistakes – players, referees, managers.
• Speak respectfully to others even when under duress.
• Act respectfully even when others do not show you respect
• Behave with self respect.

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