Why football needs Respect

Respect is the collective responsibility of everyone in football to create a fair, safe and enjoyable environment in which the game can take place. It is the behavioural code for football. Respect is a continuous FA programme, not a one-off initiative.

What do we want to achieve with Respect?
1. There will be a 'step change' in youth football on what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour from parents, spectators and coaches.

2. We will work with coaches to create an enjoyable learning environment for children's football

3. There will be a base of registered referees in England sufficient for the demands of the game at every level.

4. There will be zero tolerance for assaults on referees.

5. There will be an improvement in on-field player discipline, particularly in the area of dissent to referees and in competitions that have an established record of poor discipline. The most important message of the Respect programme is that real and lasting change will come about not through the intervention of the Football Authorities but from everyone in football taking collective responsibility to promote what is good in the game

The latest campaign in the Football Associations Respect programme aims to help further reduce levels of anti-social behaviour 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 behaviour.

The Respect programme includes four practical steps to improve behaviour:
 
Step 1: Codes of Conduct

Step 2: Manage the match day environment

Step 3: The captain takes responsibility

Step 4: The referee manages the game

Step 1:Codes of Conduct
Codes of Conduct aren't new and are already in use by some clubs (for example, they are mandatory for Charter Standard Clubs). Some Codes are successful; some are forgotten and simply not acted upon. Respect brings them to life by supporting and strengthening the Codes of Conduct with possible consequences. There is little point in having a set of rules if no action is taken if and  when they're broken.

There are Respect Codes of Conduct for:
• Young Players
• Adult Players
• Spectators and Parents/Carers
• Coaches, Team Managers and Club Officials
• Match Officials

Each Code explains that actions can be taken if the Code is broken. Although the County FA or The FA will deal with cases of reported misconduct, clubs and leagues also have a role to play in dealing with poor behaviour from players, officials or spectators. This can range from education, mentoring, official warnings,suspension or even exclusion from the club/league.
All the Respect Codes of Conduct can be downloaded from this site
Respect works on placing responsibility on individuals for their actions: break your Code, and bear the consequences

Download two of the FA information documents by clicking on the links below, these are PDF files so you'll need Adobe Acrobat reader
Achieving Respect - Extending Good Practice                    Respect - The Youth Guide