FA launch Respect campaign
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The Football Association is to implement a new initiative aimed at improving the behaviour of players and coaches.
The Respect campaign will be launched across all levels of the game and the FA has set out guidelines in an attempt to stamp out some of the unsavoury scenes that have become more commonplace in recent seasons.
From now on only the captain will be allowed to approach the referee, while all players will be asked to adhere to basic codes of conduct.
Referees have been told to deal firmly with any show of dissent, while measures have also been taken to stop spectators impeding other officials.
Respect will be applied by the FA in partnership with the Premier League, Football League, PFA, LMA and PGMO (referees body) at professional game level, and with County FAs and regional leagues at grassroots level.
Four steps
The programme is championing four practical steps which grassroots leagues will be invited to sign up to:
1. Codes of Conduct for players, referees, coaches and spectators. The codes of conduct set down basic principles which everyone must accept and adhere to, with related actions for repeated breaches.
2. Designated Spectator's Area demarcated by touchline barriers, keeping spectators about two metres back from the pitch. This allows the assistant referees to perform their function unimpeded, and in the pilot scheme has demonstrated a marked restraining effect on spectator behaviour. Spectators will be on the opposite touchline to the coaches.
3. Captain taking responsibility.
While the captain does not have any special privileges under the Laws of the Game, captains will be expected to take on more responsibility for the conduct of their team. The captain will act as the main contact point for the referee, and will be called over to an incident involving a team-mate even if he/she is some distance away.
4. Referee managing the game.
Referees have been instructed to work with captains to manage the players and the game effectively. They have also been reminded of their responsibility to control the game by applying the Laws of the Game and dealing firmly with any open show of dissent by players. The instruction to referees is to stay and deal with dissent rather than moving away.
Toolkit
Leagues are encouraged to opt into the programme by adopting the "Respect toolkit" provided by The FA. This includes:
Guidance notes on the operation of the Respect steps, with versions tailored specifically to clubs, leagues, and referees.
Order forms for obtaining touchline barriers at a specially negotiated rate
Codes of conduct
Captain's guidance leaflets and Respect armbands
Community Shield
The programme will be launched at this Sunday's Community Shield between Manchester United and Portsmouth and a number of steps have been agreed with the sides:
Referee managing the game (applying the Laws of the Game)
Captain taking responsibility
Pre-match briefing meeting with referee and managers/captain
Team handshake before kick-off
Improved behaviour in the technical area
Both teams and the referees will wear Respect T-shirts during the warm-up and the match shirts will feature Respect on the sleeve badges.
FA chief executive Brian Barwick said: "The Respect programme is a top priority for The FA and for the game as a whole.
"We are trying to change a climate within the game and that takes time, but I am confident that this joint commitment will make a real difference.
"The promotional film will really help raise awareness of this important issue - it needs everyone to look at their own behaviour."