English Premier League to crackdown on referee abuse.
The English Premier League has announced its plans to cut down on player and manager abuse of league referees.
The campaign is set to begin with next year’s premier league season. The clubs of the English Premier League have unanimously voted to support next year’s Respect campaign.
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| EPL CEO Richard Scudamore announces the plan for the respect campaign set to begin next season. EPL is aiming to end referee abuse |
Premier League Chief Executive Richard Scudamore announced plans for the campaign last Thursday March 31st.
“I think we do need to concentrate on the player and manager relationship with the referee this time, as everyone of us knows that there have been elements of unacceptable behavior.” – Richard Scudamore
Scudamore and the rest of the clubs agreed something must be done in regards to high number of attacks on referees. Most recently Manchester United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, was handed a five game sideline ban for his comments about a referee. He was not allowed to be on the sideline for the next five games Manchester United played in the Premier League.
“You want a fair referee, or a strong referee anyway - and we didn't get that. I must say, when I saw who the referee was I feared it. I feared the worst.” – Sir Alex Ferguson said about the referee following Man U’s 2-1 loss to rival Chelsea FC
Referees have faced much scrutiny this season. Some have had their integrity and honesty questioned publicly. The respect campaign is a great step forward in defending and protecting professional referees.
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| West Ham United boss Avram Grant has been suspended two matches for his comments regarding the refereeing following West Ham's March 13th FA Cup loss to Stoke City |
Arsene Wenger, Arsenal FC manager, was suspended earlier this season for his “abuse” of match referees. Wenger, Ferguson, and Avram Grant manager of West Ham United have all been hit with some kind of suspension and/or fine this season in regards to referee abuse. Avram Grant is the most recent and is suspended for two games and fined £6,000 for his comments about the referee following West Ham United’s FA Cup loss to Stoke City.
"I think maybe this is the reason the referee started the second half very strange. Until they scored [the second] goal he gave fouls, a penalty, everything for them.”
"It was a penalty for us at the end which he didn't give. What happened with Tomkins was more bushido [the Japanese code of conduct for samurai warriors]. Maybe he felt a little bit guilty. I think it was the effect of the first goal for us." - Avram Grant
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| Wayne Rooney has been the center of attention quite often this season. Rooney will be serving a two match ban due to another mishap |
The FA is not only coming down hard on coaches for their dissent, but also on players. Wayne Rooney was just handed a two game ban for saying the f-word on camera following a goal he scored against West Ham United. Rooney tallied a hat trick in the Red Devil’s 4-2 win over The Hammers.
Scudamore has reassured everyone in the Premier League he is very serious about the new respect campaign and others could be seeing harsher punishments for ref abuse.
"As to what we think is unacceptable; it's vitriolic abuse towards match officials and that has on occasions gone unpunished; the surrounding of referees is unacceptable; the goading of referees into trying to get opponents sanctioned we think is unacceptable; and also the undue criticism, where it spills over into questioning the referee's integrity or his honesty is also unacceptable." – Scudamore added
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