Filed under: Premier League, Football
So Richard Scudamore has announced the Premier League will crack down on the "unacceptable" behaviour by players and managers towards referees. Is this a breath of fresh air or a smart political move?All 20 of the top flight chairmen have put their names to a campaign - which will begin next season, it should be noted - aimed at wiping out abuse of match officials.
That includes verbal criticism of the type that saw Sir Alex Ferguson handed a five-game touchline ban for criticising Martin Atkinson after a defeat at Chelsea plus unsporting action on the field such as surrounding the referee or trying to get opposing players punished.
"The clubs unanimously backed the idea that at the start of next season we want to raise the bar," Premier League chief executive Scudamore said.
"I think we do need to concentrate on the player and manager relationship with the referee this time, as every one of us knows that there have been elements of unacceptable behaviour.
"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."
On the face of it, this all sounds admirable: the on-field actions of the Premier League superstars at the weekend are indeed aped in the playgrounds of the nation on the Monday and on the playing fields afterwards.
Scudamore added: "Footballers enjoy a privileged life. The contrast between what is happening in their world and what is happening in the rest of Britain, and indeed most of the world, is getting starker.
"Whether it is realistic or not they can't entirely be perfect role models, they are young males and boys can behave badly from time to time.
"But there is a point where extra responsibility comes with the territory. There are so many good things about what footballers do, so this is not us demonising them. But the mood is that things could improve."
The Premier League will also consult with the Football Association, the Professional Footballers' Association, and the PGMO body that represents match officials.
No doubt the referees themselves will have plenty to say on the subject but the FA's take will also be interesting: Scudamore's statements are implying that the FA's own Respect campaign, designed to do all the things the Premier League say need doing now, is having little effect.
Certainly it could do with a kick up the backside - for example one county FA failed to punish an under-12 team for repeatedly breaking the Respect code of conduct but did choose to censure opponents who had merely written about their poor behaviour on their own website.
And it should come as no surprise that Scudamore is making these statements as the Premier League has always been keen to portray itself as the real driving force in English football.
The FA is in a period of transition with David Bernstein beginning his time in charge and Scudamore and Co appear to be keen to fill any vacuum.
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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/04/01/premier-league-promise-to-protect-referees-but-whats-their-mo/
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