The FA is responding to a plea from grassroots football to tackle unacceptable behaviour in football. Respect aims to bring the fun back to football for young players. Parents and coaches pushing too hard and pressurising impressionable children for three points is having a negative impact on their development and enjoyment of the game.
Respect also aims to tackle the mass drop-out of referees from football due to abuse. 7,000 referees dropped out of the game last season which has led to the number of match officials hitting its lowest ever level.
• 98% of referees have been verbally abused and 27% have been physically abused.
• One in three grassroots matches are now played without a qualified match official.
• 846 grassroots matches were abandoned last year due to unacceptable behaviour from players and/or spectators.
• Parents and coaches want role models in the elite game to provide a positive example to young players.
• The No.2 priority from grassroots football is tackling the ‘pushy parent’ placing too much pressure on their child and their child’s team from the sidelines.
Respect is a whole game issue and requires a whole game approach and so there will be practical steps in the Professional and the National Game.
There are four practical steps to improve behaviour – on the pitch and on the sidelines – in leagues throughout the country.
1. Codes of Conduct
2. Designated Spectators’ Areas
3. Captain taking responsibility
4. Referee managing the game
The four practical steps may be used differently in youth and adult leagues, and across the National Game and Professional Game leagues to address the behavioural issues that exist.
How will Respect work in practice?
Codes of Conduct
There are five Codes of Conduct for:
1. Young Players
2. Adult Players
3. Spectators and Parents/Carers
4. Coaches, Team Managers and Club Officials
5. Match Officials
The separate Code of Conduct for younger players is written in a simple language to ensure understanding and dealing with the separate issues facing behaviour in youth football.
Respect works by making individuals responsible and accountable for their actions.