Capital Football is launching a new RESPECT campaign to ‘Reduce Abuse’ across football.
Abuse is not acceptable in the classroom, school yard, or workplace, so why do people think it is acceptable on the football field? It’s not. Disappointingly, incidents involving verbal abuse towards referees, coaches, players, volunteers and Capital Football staff are still occurring.
Everyone has the right to feel safe and participate in football without being abused. But real people, good people, including children and teenagers are being impacted by the poor conduct of others. These people are someone’s child, friend, son, daughter. Behind every insult and criticism, is a person. This is simply unacceptable.
Being paid does not mean staff or referees can be subject to abuse if you are not happy with a decision. Football is a passionate game and we understand that people get frustrated. However, we must accept that people make mistakes. All interactions with players, officials, coaches, volunteers and Capital Football staff need to be respectful.
In the past five years there have been a number of campaigns and initiatives aimed at stamping out disrespectful behaviour and abuse of referees. This has seen some improvement but sadly, abuse is still occurring. We know abuse of match officials by players, officials and spectators is a leading factor in why we lose referees from the game – annually, around 40%.
There is no acceptable level of abuse. We would all agree that misconduct and/or abuse anywhere in football is unacceptable. This disrespectful behaviour has no place in our game, and has got to stop.
We pride ourselves on being the largest team participation sport and a sport that can be enjoyed by the whole family. So let’s all play our part in providing an environment that is free from all forms of abuse.
Lead by example and stand up and speak out against abuse and pledge support to our RESPECT campaign to ‘Reduce Abuse’.
More information, including how Capital Football can assist you will be available soon.
Capital Football Board
