Developing Respect Towards Referees in the United Kingdom - Essay Example

?Initiatives to develop respect towards referees in the United Kingdom Introduction Sports is an important part of our society as it brings people from varied culture and backgrounds at one place cheering for their teams and players. These people can be from different places, religion, caste and various other factors which are considered discriminatory in social norms come to an end in a sports extravaganza. Players are their heroes; they worship them, idolize them and try to imitate them. There are great things to learn from the sports, about winning and losing, sportsmanship spirit, respect for other players, etc. which bonds the society together. The major sports events and all sports fixtures are occasions on which people can open up towards those who are different themselves and learn something about others, for sport is also unrivalled as a force for bringing together and mixing different types of people and their cultures in short for allowing them to meet and to share something other than mistrust, facilitating communication and probably combats prejudice, the tendency to make valued judgments and the types of belief that give rise to hatred and intolerance (Bodin, et al , 2005, p.163) Commonwealth of Australia (2008) once stated that “— it (sport) helps to build social cohesion that binds families, communities, regions and the nation. No other facet of our culture has the capacity to bring together so many different streams --- breaks barriers and unites those who have nothing else in common’(Hoye et al, 2009, p.225). These among the few are benefits of sports events inspiring younger generation to achieve excellence in their field. But the present day sports is more than a sport which displays on field violence by the player between team, indiscipline behavior, breaking the rules of the games, cheating which are all part of the game for winning cause. As mentioned earlier, sports benefit the society with positive inspiration but also spoil the society with the players on field behavior. It is further stated that in professional team sports with a high public profile, including association football (soccer), disciplinary transgressions by players and sanctions that are taken by referees provide a rich source of subject material for debate among pundits, journalists and the general public. The action of players and referees in UK football are keenly and intensely scrutinized in the modern day game in the event of foul play which is followed by referee’s action that in turn creates situation between players and referees, wherein players disrespect the decision of on-field referees (Dawson et al, 2007). This is paper attempts to discuss the issues of football players on field behavior and behavior towards football officials in the United Kingdom. Sources of disrespect against football officials World may think that only players are the one who disrespect the referees for their action and results thereupon. But, Jez Moxey, Wolves Chief Executive states that premier leagues ‘big clubs’ and their players disrespect referees and think that they are above the rules and called for players to be booked for disrespect against football officials. He further added that ‘it is outrageous for a player to turn his back on a referee when he’s being booked and for players, who later gang up on officials (BBC, 2011). Not only players, there are incidence when managers or owners of the club have shown disrespect towards match officials or referees for their action on the field. Manchester United Owner, Alex Ferguson was banned for five matches for post match criticism of referees by the FA. Aresene Wenger, Arsenal manager was also not spared from making comments about officials (Reuters, 2011). However, it is reported that Alex Ferguson has been abusing referees not for the first time, and has a long history of abusing match officials. The football association mentioned that assaults on match officials and referees have gone by 25% and attacks on match officials have increased from 260 to 300 in the year 2011 (Keebly United Football Club, 2011). The recent strike by referees of Scotland Premier League after confrontation by the Celtic is evidence that match officials are constantly abused, disrespected and even attacked for their actions which may turn in against of any team resulting in intimidation from players, coaches and club owners (Mann, 2010). According to the survey carried out by the The FA, behavior was the biggest concern in the game of football which included abuse of match officials and unacceptable behavior of over competitive parents, spectators and coaches on the sideline (www.thefa.com) Although various sources of disrespect for match officials have been discussed above, the factor that provokes the action of players against match officials is important to mention. According to Garland et al (2000) increasing level of investment in the football industry is often cited by commentators as the cause of most of the problems in the industry, sometimes to the exclusion of other issues. The amount of money invested in recent years in football clubs at elite level has increased dramatically which is evident of the rising costs of transfer fees for players, in players’ salaries, in the prize money for successful clubs in Premier League, and in the sale of television rights. Whilst the financial rewards for successful clubs and their employees may be great, so too can be the costs to club personnel in their efforts to win or maintain a place in a particular league. The annual review compiled by Deloitte & Touche indicates a huge financial gap between clubs at elite level and those below them. Due to the financial significance of playing success or failure, it is perhaps not surprising that football mangers and players often attempt to locate the reasons for a team’s failure to win in terms of a referee’s decision rather in terms of poor play or team selection. Physical attacks are probably the most explicit display of dissatisfaction with match officials. The current prominence of public criticism about referees may partly due to changing nature of media coverage and the exposure given to players, managers and other club officials. Post match interviews in front of media is the common place, where players and managers comment on referees decision that have gone against them which may provide an excuse and a verbal attack on referee may divert the attention away from the teams poor performance (Garland et al, 2000). It is entertaining to watch an argument between player and referee during match creating interest among the fans and media covering the match, but is results in dissatisfaction for both sides, more importantly the referee who is at the helm of affairs to regulate the match. The largest ever football consultation “Your Game Your Say’ involving 37000 stakeholders revealed that abuse towards referees and sideline behavior are the two top issues to be addressed. The survey reveals that 98 percent of referees have received verbal abuse and 27 percent have received physical abuse whereas one in three grassroots matches are now played without a qualified match official and 846 grassroots matches were abandoned due to unacceptable behavior from players (www.slideserve.com). FA research shows that over 7000 youngsters hung up their boots over the last two years due to pressure from sideline while 5000 match officials quit the game last season with spectator abuse resulting in matches without qualified match official (/www.wilmslowtown.co.uk). Sensing the need to control of on field behavior players and their attitude to disrespect towards match officials, few initiatives have been formulated and implemented by the Football Association of the United Kingdom. United Kingdom Football League Football league was established in 1888 by its twelve founder members and is the world’s original league football competition pioneering the format and is guide to others. The Football League is the worlds’ largest body of professional clubs with 72 member clubs. The football league championships, which is currently known as npower Football League comprises of three divisions i.e. the championships, league 1 and league 2 with 1656 regular season matches in each season (www.football-league.co.uk). United Kingdom with largest league in the world has the responsibility to create initiatives and implement policies for developing respect for football officials. Initiatives by the UK Football Associations The Football Association was founded in 1863 as the governing body of the game in England. It is responsible for regulatory aspects of football played in England. Among all its objectives, FA’s role is to promote the development of the game amongst all ages, backgrounds and abilities in terms of participation and quality which also involves making it available to greatest possible number of participants, regulating the game on and off the field of play through the ‘Laws of Game’ and the ‘Rules of the Association’, overseeing the administration of disciplinary system applicable to all participants in the game i.e. each club player, competition, match officials and any other person involved in the game such as club representative, coach are bound by the rules. In order to look after the disciplinary proceedings and improve the behavior of players and other participants of football against match officials, the Football Association started an initiative known as ‘Respect’ which aims to create fair, safe and enjoyable environment in which the game can take place (www.thefa.com). Respect Programme The main objectives of ‘Respect’ cover field discipline wherein the programme provides various tools for leagues, clubs, coaches, referees, players and parents from grassroots to elite football so as to help ensure a safe, positive environment for the game. Specific aims of Respect include creating a fun and safe environment for all those involved in our game, educating people on what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior, addressing poor and unacceptable behavior towards referees and youngsters and taking action against those committing abuse (www.slideserve.com). One of the main aims of Respect is to help recruit and retain enough referees for the requirements of the game at all levels because a game without a trained and impartial referee cannot be played properly. The number of registered referees had fallen to all time low in the year 2008 with many referees dropping out. The FA is responding to the concerns from across the game to tackle unacceptable behavior in football (www.thefa.com). The FA Respect programme carries Code of Conduct which are aimed at young players, adult players, coaches, team managers and club officials, and match officials. ‘Respect’ places the responsibility of respecting the actions and decisions of others and provides consequences on breaking the code of conduct. The responsibility of adult players laid in FA Respect Code of Conduct is to promote high standards of behavior in the game. As per the code of conduct, adult players are required to adhere to laws of the game, display and promote high standards of behavior, promoting fair play and always respect the match officials decisions, should never criticize the decision of match official in public, during media briefing or at any other places. The programme makes it necessary for the players never to engage in offensive, insulting or abusive language or behavior against anybody concerned with match’s, should not engage in bullying, intimidation or harassment and respect each and every individual involved in the game (www.thefa.com). As the Respect’s code of conduct lays strict guidelines for adult players in football; match officials are also governed by the guidelines which impose same responsibility as of adult players to promote high standards of behavior in the game. It is further stated that behavior of match officials has an impact directly or indirectly on the conduct of everyone involved in the game – both on the pitch and on the sidelines. Match officials, under Respect, need to be honest and completely impartial at all times by applying the laws of the game and managing the game in positive, calm and confident manner. It also mentions the responsibility of match officials where they are required to deal all instances of violence, aggression, unsporting behavior, foul play and other misconduct using and implementing the laws of the game. However, Respect gives power to all match officials with freedom to report cases against offensive, insulting or abusive language or behavior from players, managers and club. It is the responsibility of referee to conduct fair play by continuous communication with the players, setting a positive example by promoting good behavior and showing respect to everyone involved in the game by responding in a clear, calm and confident manner to queries put up by respective captains (www.thefa.com). ‘Respect’ also provides certain code of conduct for coaches, team managers, and club officials by imposing regulations and restrictions on them to respect to others involved in the game including match officials, opposition players, coaches, match officials, and spectators, should promote fair play and high standards of behavior, respect the match officials decision, should criticize the decisions of match officials in public, and encourage each player to accept responsibility for their own behavior and performance on the field (www.thefa.com). Respect aims to tackle the mass drop out of referees from football due to abuse. It is reported that thousands referees dropped out of the game last season which has led to the number of match officials hitting its lowest level ever. The main problem is with individual players being abusive towards referees escalating several players entering into argument with the referee at the same time which Respect aims to stop by shouldering the responsibility on the captain of the respective team (www.afcsudburygrassroots.co.uk). As per the results demonstrated by the pilot study of 7 county FAs, 20 leagues and 345 teams during 10 weeks; it was reported that referee and club officials reported a reduction of negative behavior on and off the field, codes of conduct worked across the adult and youth game, and ‘captain only’ intervention worked well as a concept across the game when a consistent approach is adopted (www.slideserve.com). Respect further enhances the recruitment and retention process which helps in reducing the stream of referees understandably leaving the game (http://www.hampshirefa.com). UEFA on the other hand has its own Respect campaign which is linked to programmes aimed at combating violence, racism, xenophobia and homophobia as well encouraging fan support, intercultural dialogue and the environment. The respect campaign aims at promoting respect among players, match officials, club and all stakeholders involved in the game to combat social ills and defend major humanitarian causes by showing respect to each other (UEFA, 2010). The recent figures from the disciplinary records of the FA, it is revealed that 217 players have been suspended over sending off while there are players against whom action has to be taken (www.thefa.com). The disciplinary reports of previous years in various league matches doesn’t reveal much difference in red card and yellow card issued by the referees from the year 2007-08 to 2009-10 in English League 1 and English FA Cup. The figure indicates that there is no change in the behavior of players throughout these years while there is slight increase in the number of yellow cards (http://soccernet.espn.go.co). Figure 1: English League 1 Figure 2: English FA Cup As the Respect progrmme was initiated in 2008, same period when world was hit by the disastrous credit crunch, there seems to be not effect on the number of indiscipline behavior as compared to 2007 to 2010 with only slight increase in players getting caution and warning. Impact of initiatives to develop respect The FA’s respect programme has been recognized by the UEFA for its innovative strategic approach to develop respect among the all the stakeholders involved in the football match. The programme was appreciated by the UEFA and received Silver UEFA Best Grassroots Project Award at the Annual UEFA Grassroots Day Awards. Respect has attracted the support of 750 leagues and has encouraged declining levels of dissent in both the professional and amateur games. Further the programme has also resulted in 10 percent increase in the number of qualified referees after years of declining numbers due to disrespect by players on and off the field (www.thefa.com). The FA Respect programmes is creating good impact and deriving best results gradually progressing on its mission to develop respect among all the stakeholders involved in the football match. The FA reports that there has been a 9 percent increase in the number of qualified referees this season and there as 5197 trainee referees at Lever Nine, which is 45% more as compared to 2008/09. Moreover, dissent cautions are down in 12 out of 16 of the senior professional leagues and divisions. The effect of Respect campaign appeared in the English Premier League where dissent cautions were down by 37 percent while in the Championship League, they are down by 53 percent with League One showing a gradual decrease of 8 percent from 10 percent in the previous year. Moreover respect has become a compulsory module in The FA’s training courses mandating all new referees and coaches to go through and get acquainted themselves with the code of conduct of the Respect Programme due to which assaults on referee have come down by 25 percent which is a great accomplishment (http://areyoulosingit.co.uk). The numbers of affiliated referees have improved since FA’s respect campaign wherein there are over 25000 affiliated referees available in the country. It is also further stated that Respect campaign has resulted in lesser number of fouls during matches which is evident from the table below. Prior the launch of Respect Programme in 2008, the number of affiliated referees had fallen to all time low which increased to 26692 in 2010 as compared to 24852 in 2009. The number of trainee referees at level 9 has increased by 36.2 percent from 4111 in 2009 to 5598 in 2010. In a survey of 3500 referees in November 2009, 35 percent of referees reported that they were more likely to remain a referee and 39 percent reported that they received less abusive behavior from players as a result of Respect programme. Further, it is reported the FA received statements of 534 referees having been assaulted in 2008/09 which was reduced by 13 percent as compared to the last season. There was 6 percent decline in dissent cautions stating that player behavior has improved over the years. There was 23 percent reduction in dissent cautions in the Premier League, 31 percent in the Championship and 12 percent in the football league. Dissent cautions have also showing trends of decline in amateur football. But there was 7 percent increase in abandoning of matches in 2009/10. Regarding public experience, it was revealed during the CFA’s Grassroots Survey, that football experience has improved for 40 percent of the respondents while experience 66 percent less discrimination or touchline abuse. The FA reports published in January 2011 show 29 percent increase in the number of male referees and 31 percent increase in the number of female referees involved in the national game since the Respect programme came into force in 2008. (www.thefa.com) According to the table, number of fouls has come down drastically over the years, majorly after the implementation of Respect programme. Simultaneoulsy, the numbers have also come down in yellow and red cards. It is necessary to point that there is a steep increase in the number of fouls during 2007-08, which was the period of recession. This makes us to understand that club owners were under intense pressure to win the league matches in order to avoid financial losses. However it is to mention that players who were in the top five list of playing foul in the matches during these years played for those clubs who had more foul points making the stand clear that recession had somewhat effect on the club owners and behavior of the players to win the matches at any cost.   Table 1; Club Statistics   Fouls Committed Yellow Red Penalties 2010/11 11885 1591 100 135 2009/10 12494 1613 86 108 2008/09 13433 1544 91 116 2007/08 13656 1550 101 109 It is evident from the above graph that there is huge decrease in foul play by the clubs from 2007 to 2011, the success of which may be attributed to the Respect Campaign. Above data relates to English Champion League and reveals the decreasing trend in foul play by the clubs over the year. Though Respect Campaign has addressed all the major issues of respect and promoting environmental safety, thousands of referees are still quitting football on a regular basis and many children are made to avoid the game of football because of unwilling parents. The FA’s respect campaign is also targeting pushy parents by making them accountable in junior football. The FA’s Respect program aims at addressing the problem of parents and coaches showing no respect to match officials in a bid to make their child a star, and having a win at all costs attitude. These kinds of problems offer huge challenge and FA tries to address touchline behavior attempting to protect children from over enthusiastic parents (Keebly United Football Club, 2010). Respect aims to achieve step change in youth football on what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior from parents, spectators and coaches, work with coaches to create an enjoyable learning environment, zero tolerance for assaults of referees. Respect programme has increased awareness among aggressive coaches and pushy parents in youth football and over 500 youth leagues have committed themselves to the programme (www.thefa.com). The BBC reported that there were 330 assaults on match officials in matches played by 14 year olds as compared to previous year 2010 and the FA needs to take necessary steps overcome the problem (Wilson, 2011). Assaults on referees are down by 13 percent year on year and there are 7.4 percent more referees than the previous year 2011. It is further found during the survey that 40 percent of the grassroots football community experienced improved football as a result of the FA Respect Campaign (Dailymail, 2011). There are mixed reactions to the outcome of the Respect Campaign while few sections of the game stating it to be successful while others lamenting on its failure to reach its level. However, Howard Webb, English Football’s highest ranked referee believes that the FA’s respect campaign is having a profound effect on the game and is fully justified and brought in at the right time due to large number of referees walking away from the game. According to Webb, the respect campaign was able to restore confidence among the referees and stay back in the game. Webb further comments that “we haven’t seen the surrounding of the match officials in the same way that we have in years gone by and the common open dissent doesn’t seem to be there”. While Howard Webb has lauds the success of respect of campaign, another referee, Graham Poll criticizes the outcome of the campaign (Callow, 2009). Poll in an interview with Goal, explained the main problems with English Football is being run by the Premier League and not by the FA, giving less priority to the referees. Poll laments the policy guidelines of FA Respect stating that the aim of respect campaign to promote more pleasant atmosphere on pitch gives another chance to the player instead of sending off the player with the intervention of captain. He further recommends the FA to make all the club chairman to sigh the charter of Respect campaign in order to prevent litigation, accepting responsibility and advising the players to behave in proper manner so that pleasant atmosphere is really created as it is aimed by the FA (Telegraph Staff, 2009). Briggs (2008) mentioned that the FA is winning the fight for Respect at grassroots while FA believes that main behavioral problem is with the managers rather than players. The FA respect has empowered the referees by involving all the stakeholders of the game to obey the code of conduct of Respect, the failure of which will lead to severe punishment. This is evident in the case of Manchester United Boss, Alex Ferguson, who is serving five matches touchline ban because of his comments about match official (Facey, 2011). Referees no longer have to report matters of intimidation instead the FA Respect provides them the security with guidelines giving the responsibility to the captain and a gathering of three or more players will be considered as an act of disrespect towards referee (Daily Mail, 2011)). Though the FA report suggests that there have been no major instances of disrespect on the field, there are 188 cautions for dissent across four divisions compared to just 133 of previous year. It is further observed that poor behavior in the grassroots game cannot be evaded completely until and unless professional players and managers continue to set a bad example in league matches. Premier League players shouting at referees may foster a culture of disrespect throughout football, while media hype and analysis around refereeing mistakes does not help either but invokes more aggressive behavior in grassroots matches (www.clubwebsite.co.uk). Conclusion According to the data collected pertaining to cautions and warnings received by the players and club, it is necessary to mention here that the number of incidents of foul play have come drastically over the years after the implementation of Respect Code of Conduct. The initiatives carried out by the FA have resulted in few of the desired outcomes laid in the objectives of the program. UEFA’s Fair Play program also promotes good behavior among the players and club to perform better and play good football with social responsibility. The FA’s respect program and UEFA’s Fair Play programme are an important milestone in the history of football as it creates a benchmark for fair play and respectful approach towards match officials. References 1. Are you losing It?, Respect, The FA, Accessed at < http://areyoulosingit.co.uk/> 2. BBC (2011) Wolves chief Moxey says big clubs disrespect referees, Sport Football, BBC accessed at < http://news.bbc.co.uk> 3. Bodin, D, Robene, L and Heas S (2005) Sports and Violence in Europe, Council of Europe, UK 4. Briggs A (2008) FA winning Respect battle at grassroots level as punishments increase in top flight, Premier League, The Telegraph, http://www.telegraph.co.uk 5. Callow J (2009) Respect campaign has been a success, claims referee Webb, Guardian, Accessed at < http://www.guardian.co.uk> 6. Club Websites (2011) Who is responsible for referees getting Respect?, Club Websites, Accessed at < www.clubwebsite.co.uk> 7. 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Youth Football Clubs, Respect, Accessed at http://www.thefa.com Read More