RespecttheRef

Respect the Ref

Match Officials are essential for grassroots football to thrive

#Respect The Ref

Match Officials are essential for grassroots football to thrive.

What’s Respect the Ref?

Every match. Every league. Every championship. It’s the referees who are integral to a smooth-running game.

They work hard, train hard, show up and play hard – all to keep the game beautiful. They give their time and yet face negative attention and abuse in almost every match. Enough is enough. We can all play our part to show the ref some respect, to help make the game the best it can be.


For the past 18 months we have seen an increase in the number of incidents reported, related to the use of offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures.

The FA is launching a new campaign to increase the awareness to this massive problem, as no one should be subject to any form of abuse, offensive or insulting language and or/gestures.

No one should be subject to any form of abuse or discrimination, we all have a role to play.

Please take responsibility, make sure you don’t allow any referee be abused in front of you, this is a role and duty that all people involved in a game of football should take seriously.

Stop the abuse, protect the game we love, RESPECT THE REFEREE.

 

If you knew a bit more about refs, who they are, what they go through, and how important they are - maybe you would think differently about them.

Key Messages:

  • Referees love football & that’s why they commit their time to officiate every weekend
  • Referees are skilled operators, it’s taken time for them to learn their craft
  • A Referees role is integral to making the game happen week in week out across the country.
  • Think about the person next time you think about hurling abuse at the referee. 

If you have any questions or have anything to report in relation to #RespectTheRef please contact:

Jose Gomes
Jose.Gomes@BedfordshireFA.com / 07921 451105