The Respect Program

On average, thousands of referees quit football every year at because of the abuse they receive from players and from the sidelines. Lots of children also pack it in because of the attitude and actions of over-enthusiastic and pushy parents. 

In response, The FA’s Respect program provides a series of tools for leagues, clubs, coaches, Referees, players and parents from grassroots to elite football to ensure a safe, positive environment in which to enjoy the game. 

These tools include agreed codes of conduct, in-service training for Referees, Respect club packs, spectator designated spectator areas and ensuring captains work with referees to manage player behavior.

The FA has also launched a free online Respect Parent Guide to highlight examples of poor behavior and, more importantly, how it can be improved. To see the Guide, please click here. 

The latest campaign in the Football Association’s Respect program aims to help further reduce levels of anti-social behavior both on and off the pitch. The hard hitting ‘Are you Losing it?’ campaign targets abusive grassroots players and parents, and encourages disaffected team-mates and spectators to put a mirror up to those most in need of a wake up call for their bad behavior.