Richard Luscombe The English football authorities are introducing a series of measures to help improve the behaviour of players, managers, and coaches across the professional, National League system and grassroots game, as well as addressing the issue of football tragedy abuse.
New policies, procedures, and regulations came into force at the start of the 2023/24 season, to address unacceptable conduct on the pitch, on the side-lines and in the stands, to ensure that the actions of the minority do not spoil the game for all.
This builds on the work carried out throughout last season to combat dangerous and illegal fan behaviour, supported by the “Love Football. Protect the Game” football-wide campaign.
Participant behaviour
As part of this reset, The FA, Premier League, EFL, Barclays Women’s Super League, Barclays Women’s Championship, National League System (Steps 1-4) and referees’ governing body PGMOL, have collectively launched a new Participant Charter.
The charter, which was developed in partnership with the League Managers Association (LMA) and Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), will see stronger measures for players, managers, coaches, support staff and club officials to adhere to on a matchday.
Under the new approach, match officials will be empowered to take more robust action alongside a consistent application of the existing measures when participant behaviour falls below expected standards, and The FA will apply stronger supplementary disciplinary action.
Captains are expected to take responsibility for their team-mates, encouraging them to play fairly and show respect towards the match officials and their decisions.
Where match officials are confronted, surrounded or their personal space invaded by multiple players, at least one player will receive a card. The FA could also take further action against the club.
New measures will include:
- A new technical area code of conduct to require managers, coaches, and other club staff members to behave responsibly.
- Increased financial penalties for serious and repeat offenders.
- Academy scholars to undertake refereeing courses to improve players’ education in officiating.
Fan behaviour
To challenge the unacceptable presence of football tragedy abuse, for the 2023/24 season, regulation changes and tough new measures have been introduced which will see people who are found to have committed offences face stadium bans and potential criminal prosecution.
The issue is focused on offensive chanting, gesturing and displaying offensive messages based on football-related tragedies, which causes significant distress to the victims’ families, survivors and affected club supporters.
Football authorities, supporter groups and law enforcement organisations, including the police and CPS, have united to crack down on fans who participate in this vile form of abuse.
In addition to bans and criminal sanctions, a range of in-stadium, in-classroom and online resources will be rolled out under the “Love Football Protect the Game” banner, to educate adults and children alike about the hurt tragedy chanting causes.
Ground regulations have also been updated to incorporate references to tragedy chanting.
The game will also continue its efforts to combat dangerous, illegal and unwelcome behaviour off the pitch, be it in the stands or online.
Last season a host of new measures were introduced by authorities which saw enhanced sanctions applied for people identified entering the pitch, using pyros, taking drugs to games, throwing objects or for discriminatory abuse.
Restorative justice pilot scheme
To support the rehabilitation of those identified as having engaged in negative matchday behaviour, a new pilot scheme is now in the development phase which will refer young people to a restorative justice education programme that will seek to inform and educate about the impact of their behaviour on others.
The scheme is being run by the Premier League, EFL, Premier League Charitable Fund and the EFL Trust with support from local police forces and will be trialled at 10 clubs across the Premier League, Championship, League One and League Two.
The power of football to unite
Trevor Birch, Chief Executive of the EFL, said: “Players and managers are looked up to and whether on the pitch, on the touchline or in the stands, we all have a role to play in protecting our game and making it an enjoyable place for all to enjoy the matchday.
“With over 22 million attending EFL games last season, vibrant, lively stadiums and contests on the pitch make our game so great, but there is a line, and we must all do our bit to check, challenge and address behaviour that crosses the line. These measures build on the work of last season, and I hope they improve the matchday experience yet further in what is promising to be another memorable season.”
Collective duty
Howard Webb, Chief Refereeing Officer at PGMOL, added: “Football has come together and recognised that it’s time to change. There is a collaborative desire from all corners of the game to tackle unacceptable behaviour and we know we must play our part in delivering that.
“Whatever your role or connection with football, that pride and passion for the English game is there for us all and are key reasons why we love it, but the power of example is strong – what’s seen in the professional game is replicated at the grassroots level. We have a collective duty to set new standards and leave a legacy for the benefit of the game’s future.”
Click here to read the full release from the Premier League on their website.
