FA to tackle players' behaviour

FA chief executive Brian Barwick has announced plans to try to improve the behaviour of players, with one idea being to allow only captains to talk to the referee.
Both codes of rugby broadly work along this principle, but do you think the idea can take root in football?
Barwick plans are to start at grass-roots level where many of the current problems have more impact. Abuse of referees lead to them giving up the game altogether and, as Barwick says, without referees games cannot take place.
Even England coach Steve McClaren says player discipline has been on the slide since he has been in the game.
He also says he had to resign as a president of a boys club because of some of the parents� behaviour, so it is clear it is not just the players that need to be dealt with.
But is it that bad at amateur level? Have you seen any instances of abuse which need to be stamped out?
And do you think that Barwick's plans will have an affect or do you think it should start from the top?
Brian Barwick, the FA chief executive, is to launch a major grass-roots pilot scheme aimed at getting players to show more respect to referees.
The organisation is alarmed at the growing trend of abuse towards officials, and realises that unless drastic action is taken, a drop-off in the number of people willing to take up refereeing will cause major problems for the game as a whole.
Although Barwick acknowledges the issue affects the highest levels of the game as much as the lowest, he believes methods introduced at grass-roots can have a huge impact.

The three main components of the pilot scheme to be launched in nine regions from next January are:
1. Only the team captain will be allowed to speak with the referee.
2. Roped-off areas will be introduced at junior matches so 'over-indulgent or abusive' parents cannot direct their bile at the referee
3. All players and club officials will be forced to sign a 'memorandum of understanding' noting the standards of behaviour that will be expected.

"These things are done better through discussion rather than a big stick but we want to stop the situation getting out of hand," said Barwick.
"There is a lot of emotion and passion in the game but you only have to look at a sport like rugby to see there seems to be a certain level of respect for the officials.
"That sets a marker down for our game because the treatment of referees is a really serious issue and something we have to deal with."
Barwick's stance has been backed by Steve McClaren, the England coach, who was once forced to resign as president of a local club because of the behaviour of parents.
"If you do not have discipline you are not in control, if you are not in control it can cost you the game," McClaren said. "In my opinion, this thing has to start at the bottom.
"In my experience, over many years of coaching, the players coming through are less disciplined every year and instilling the discipline required into them is getting harder and harder."
Brian Barwick, the FA chief executive, is to launch a major grass-roots pilot scheme aimed at getting players to show more respect to referees.
The organisation is alarmed at the growing trend of abuse towards officials, and realises that unless drastic action is taken, a drop-off in the number of people willing to take up refereeing will cause major problems for the game as a whole.
Although Barwick acknowledges the issue affects the highest levels of the game as much as the lowest, he believes methods introduced at grass-roots can have a huge impact.
The three main components of the pilot scheme to be launched in nine regions from next January are:

Barwick hits back at Warner as FA get tough

1. Only the team captain will be allowed to speak with the referee.
2. Roped-off areas will be introduced at junior matches so 'over-indulgent or abusive' parents cannot direct their bile at the referee
3. All players and club officials will be forced to sign a 'memorandum of understanding' noting the standards of behaviour that will be expected.
"These things are done better through discussion rather than a big stick but we want to stop the situation getting out of hand," said Barwick.
"There is a lot of emotion and passion in the game but you only have to look at a sport like rugby to see there seems to be a certain level of respect for the officials.
"That sets a marker down for our game because the treatment of referees is a really serious issue and something we have to deal with."
Barwick's stance has been backed by Steve McClaren, the England coach, who was once forced to resign as president of a local club because of the behaviour of parents.
"If you do not have discipline you are not in control, if you are not in control it can cost you the game," McClaren said. "In my opinion, this thing has to start at the bottom.
"In my experience, over many years of coaching, the players coming through are less disciplined every year and instilling the discipline required into them is getting harder and harder."