LIFL RESPECT GUIDANCE (Brief extract jlm May 2012
)
WILL THIS HAPPEN IN OUR LEAGUE???
REFEREES
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.
HOW TO BECOME ??
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
COACHES, MANAGERS, PARENTS AND SPECTATORS
PARENTS AND SPECTATORS
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.
CLUB AND LEAGUE OFFICIALS
The Respect programme relies on clubs and leagues to take active steps to ensure
high standards of conduct throughout their club or league.
THE CAPTAIN’S ROLE
As your team's captain, you have a
vital role to play in helping us achieve
the number one priority for football
which comes out of The FA's biggestever survey of grassroots football - a
qualified referee for every game.
Thousands of referees are dropping
out each season because of the abuse and intimidation they receive. It ruins games
and can cause matches to be abandoned. Then we've all lost.
Captain taking responsibility
As a captain, you have no special status or privileges under the Laws of the Game,
but you do have a degree of responsibility for the behaviour of your team.
To promote Respect, the referee will work with you, as the team captain, to manage
the players and the game effectively. Even if you are some way away from an
incident when the referee feels he/she needs you involved in a discussion with a
player, the referee can call you over. This will ensure that, as the team captain, you
remain the point of contact for the referee for all the team’s general behaviour.
To find out more about how referees and captains need to work together you should
read all the “Respect campaign” on the FA.com website which includes as part of its
Respect campaign the following points:
How Captains can help to instil Respect:
Ensure you wear a Respect captain's armband - these can be provided by your
league to your club Together with your opposition captain, you will have made
yourself known to the referee before the game and at the toss up. The referee should
ask if you are clear about your responsibilities.
Ensure all your players understand what they can/cannot do in relation to the referee
and what is meant by 'unwanted behaviour'.
No-one's trying to curb enthusiasm – but just to instil more discipline.
This can only benefit your match - and football as a whole.
Ensure your vice-captain (appoint one if you haven't got one) is aware of these
rules, in case you are unavailable for a game, or have to leave the field.
Ensure every player in your team has signed the Respect Code of Conduct
PLAYERS
Whether you're in the starting team or on the bench, your role as a player is crucial to the
success of Respect.
On a match day, 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
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 match day, 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.
Now go and try to become
RESPECT FC .... a winner in all aspects of sport for all !!
Spectators' Areas: a guide - One of the key elements of Respect in youth football is the creation
of designated areas for spectators.
In the 2007-08 season 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.
Once this equipment is received, (LIFL can help arrange for supply and cost vi FA), clubs need to mark out the
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.
This allows the coaches of both teams to stand on the other side of the pitch, meaning players get instructions
from just one side of the pitch.
You may prefer an alternative form of marking a Designated Spectators' Area, but you must ensure this is safe for
both the spectators and the players.
The FA strongly recommends you obtain formal agreement from the facility/pitch provider about which method of
marking is most suitable for the pitch, before beginning any work or buying any new equipment.
The safety of the players, officials and spectators is paramount.
The size of the area around home pitches will dictate whether you are able to use:

Poles with rope

Cones

Spray paint to mark the designated spectator areas
The spectators' area should start two metres from the touchline on one side of the pitch. Each area should run the
full length of the pitch. This means no-one should be watching from behind the goals.
Where there is not enough room, you must speak to the resident club and other users agree what distance from
the touchline is realistic to ensure marked areas are safe for players, match officials and spectators.
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.
Where cones are being used club officials should ensure these are still in place at the start of any subsequent
games to be played on the same pitch.
Where spray paint is used, club officials must check the lines have not faded between games.
A new, next generation range of fully endorsed and approved FA Respect barrier sets are available for both small
sided and full size games, such as The FA 120 m Set which compromises of:• 11 x Logoposts (5 Fully printed with FA Respect Logos)
• 2 X Heavy Duty ground pegs (8mm steel)
• 1 x Re-wind reel with 125m bright yellow barriers cord
• 1 x Easy to read and waterproof set up instructions
• 1 x FA branded Tubular shoulder carry bag
End (jlm May 2012