WELFARE OF OFFICIALS IS PARAMOUNT

WE’RE delighted to share that the ‘Respect’ campaign will be given some focus and fresh thinking next season.

We’re working hard to reinvigorate what we think is a very worthwhile cause eight years after it was so successfully launched by Brian Barwick, the former FA CEO who is now of course in charge of the National League.

Having created a new role, we’re thrilled to welcome Nathan French to the team, and he becomes our Respect Project Officer.

We’ve already started brainstorming and we’ll be trying to make sure we build on the good work done before. This will be more towards adults, as well as kids.

A lot has been said about the treatment and abuse of referees recently, and the problem has been highlighted in the press.

A young official, Ryan Hampson, has himself led what was described as a 2,000-strong strike of grassroots officials recently.

While I don’t believe a strike was perhaps the right thing to do, we have a responsibility to always tackle issues head on.

While the numbers are almost impossible to verify, even if a smaller number of referees took part we need to ensure support is given to all officials.

We have already met with Ryan and lots of things came out of that. Some are already in place and some of his concerns we are already dealing with, but there is always room for dialogue and abuse of referees is something – needless to say – we treat incredibly seriously.

Unfortunately, this is a problem that has been with us for a very long time. Back in 1974 when I started, a local referee was put into hospital. It was a worrying time to pick up the whistle.

Last season there were 111 proven cases of assaults from 880,080 matches. As far as we are concerned, one is too many.

Some accuse the FA of being archaic and out of touch, but as a modern organisation we want refereeing to be seen as safe as possible and we will continue that fight.