Supporting Referees: New anti-discrimination video launched

Reporting Discrimination - Inclusion and anti-discrimination - Rules & Regulations | The Football Association (thefa.com)

Ending discrimination and abuse is everyone’s responsibility

DID YOU KNOW...

- Over 60% of reported discriminatory abuse lead to a charge. 

- Referees have the power to abandon the match if it doesn’t stop.

The F.A are taking the strongest stand against discriminatory behaviour, and are ensuring support is given to Match Referee's 

What counts as discriminatory behaviour?

Language or conduct that is aggravated by ethnic origin, colour, race, nationality, faith, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation or disability. 

Such behaviour needs to end. It has no part in our game.

There’s no need for confrontation. Just a clear need to identify and report discriminatory behaviour through a set procedure designed to protect the Referee and get results.

In the event of discriminatory behaviour, here’s what Referee's are advised to do:

1. At a break in play, the Referee should be made aware of the incident.

2. The Referee must then report it to a relevant club representative.

3. Next, this representative should speak to the individual involved to stop the discriminatory abuse.

4. The Referee must then speak to the managers and captains of both sides to confirm the way forward.

5. The Referee has the authority to take the players off the field until the discriminatory behaviour ends. If it doesn’t, the Referee has the authority to abandon the game.

6. Following the game, the Referee should report any incident to the relevant County FA, even if you didn’t personally witness the discriminatory abuse.

7. The Referee can also contact Kick it Out by emailing info@kickitout.org or on the app.