The FA 'Respect Programme'

Objectives of the Respect Programme

The Respect Programme targets all levels of football from grass roots to full Internationals. In the professional arena, the directive is to curtail the abuse aimed at match officials by players, managers and backroom staff. Not even the fans are exonerated - asked via tannoy before kick-off to respect the referee’s decision.

The initiative was initially prompted by the fall out of referees at grass roots level which meant games were being played without being properly officiated. The FA is desperate to quell the number of referees leaving the game with a bid to improve conditions and standards. The scheme is also designed to ensure children are able to enjoy the game in a safe and friendly environment and without undue pressure from the touchline. The FA also believes that improving the standards of the game will improve the quality of coaching and ultimately produce better players.

Premiership Stars Put Under Microscope

Though the scheme is principally aimed at improving conditions at grass roots it will be top level professionals who will fall under most scrutiny. In today’s world, football is the most popular sport on the planet and attracts mass global attention. Multi-millionaire footballers are role models for children worldwide and have a responsibility to act accordingly.

A scheme in the nature of the ‘Respect Programme,’ is long overdue as their have been an increasing number of incidents where players have shown dissent. On countless occasions referees have been surrounded by angry young men remonstrating with pointed fingers, hotly disputing what they deem to be a wrongful award. Only last season we saw Ashley Cole turn his back on Mike Riley in protest and who can forget the infamous incident all those years ago when Paulo Di Canio left Paul Alcock on his backside - albeit after some theatrical back pedalling.

Power to the Referees

The FA’s initiative however, hands more power to match officials whereby they can penalise anybody they deem to be dishonouring the programme – or to put it another way dismiss anyone who has the audacity to point out they have made an error of judgement. Officials are human and it is acceptable that they are prone to make the odd mistake, yet some decisions made by referees and their assistants range from the questionable to the ludicrous, to the downright bizarre. And with barely a ball kicked in the new season the FA’s initiative is already disgruntling managers.

Refereeing Debacles

Last weekend (Saturday 20th), there were a number of refereeing debacles that cost teams vital points; Kelvin Wilson denied Charlton a goal when he handled the ball on the line and should have been sent off, but his infringement was missed and he escaped unpunished. Dirk Kuyt was ruled offside to deny Steven Gerrard is 100th goal for Liverpool, yet video evidence failed to detect an infringement. Chris Iwelumo saw red against Preston after he stood up and accidentally clashed heads with an opponent and most controversially Reading were awarded a goal against Watford after it crossed the bi-line - for a corner. Yes, the ball wasn’t even between the posts! Off the pitch, Wolves manager Mick McCarthy was ordered to watch the second half from the stands after he applauded the referee to offer him support in the face of the jeering Preston fans. So, is there any wonder players and managers get frustrated? Yet if they protest, they will be punished.

The Patchwork Programme

There is an ongoing debate amongst football fans whether or not to introduce video technology into the game to clarify match defining disputes. FIFA are adamantly against it citing that delays will disrupt the flow of the game. These same delays that occur whilst players surround the referee to argue their cause! Is the ‘Respect Programme’ then also designed to back up FIFA’s argument against video technology!?

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