The hot topic at the FA is how to make players respect match officials during a game. But what can be done to fix a problem that has been around for far too long?
'If managers are so eager to rant at the ref after the game, there is no precedent to stop the players ranting at him during it, especially if "the gaffer" had lambasted him previously for a poor performance'
One of the year’s hot topics at FA headquarters, and a problem that has reared its head notoriously in the last few months, is the issue of respect amongst players for referees.
Countless solutions have been dreamt up by FA officials and pundits alike in an attempt to stop scenes such as Chelsea defender Ashley Cole's blatant disrespect of Mike Riley and Liverpool defender Javier Mascherano's needless sending-off by Steve Bennett at Old Trafford.
The most popular ideas are apparently set to be implemented at the start of next season. But what are the strategies being bandied around, and will they succeed?
Only captains are allowed to talk to referees
Through rugby union’s example, we can see - in practise - a theory that will almost inevitably be brought across to football. Making referee interaction for captains only should stop all-too-common scenes of players surrounding officials, berating decisions and sometimes placing hands on those responsible for an unpopular call.
Whilst in theory this would work a treat, what would be the punishment for breach of this? A booking each to a mass of players could cause more matches abandoned in one week than a decade of league action. If this issue could be resolved, this could well go a long way to at least giving the illusion of respect.
Zero tolerance
Another popular solution is the zero tolerance approach. Whilst the rules currently point to a yellow card for dissent, this is not undertaken at every opportunity.
Referees seem more willing to let a little "mouthing off" go in an attempt to stop a match boiling over, using their discretion to caution when necessary. If refs are instructed to book at any sign of verbal aggression towards officials, it will either stop it completely or cause the game to descend into chaos.
Control the managers
If managers are so eager to rant at the ref after the game, there is no precedent to stop the players ranting at him during it, especially if "the gaffer" had lambasted him previously for a poor performance.
If the FA want to stop managers doing this, harsher penalties need to be imposed on those found guilty of crossing the line. Touchline bans should be handed out more readily, akin to a player being suspended for a red card, as fines do not seem to have too great an effect on Premier League managers.
Resolve rule ambiguity
One of the major bones of contention that affects the game at the moment is the confusion over certain rules, particularly the murky world of offside. "Interfering with play" is totally open to interpretation - as Radhi Jaidi’s recent antics for Birmingham have proved - causing major rows between players and officials.
If players are to respect a referee’s decision, the rules must be clear and totally unambiguous. This is an issue that will not go away quickly. Something needs to be done to stop intimidating behaviour at all age levels and, with a blend of these solutions, perhaps we can put a stop to disrespect once and for all.
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