Sussex FA to stamp out abuse directed at young footballers (From The Argus)

Sussex FA to stamp out abuse directed at young footballers

3:40pm Thursday 22nd April 2010

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Sussex football bosses have vowed to wage war on verbal abuse directed at young players.

Pushy parents venting anger and inciting foul play along with back chatting referees top the hit list of issues to be tackled by the county’s FA.

Ken Benham, chief executive of the Sussex County Football Association, which governs the local game, said there was no place for abuse, either from players or fans, in all levels of the game.

He said: “It's part of the Respect scheme and educating all in football what is right and what is wrong and how they should act.

“The majority of abuse is verbal and unfortunately in the youth game we can have parents on the sidelines urging their players on to take the legs out of their opponents and then abusing the ref in front of the players. There's no need for that.”

Mr Benham said that if clubs don't ensure their supporters and players act in a responsible and respectful manner then the SCFA would issue sanctions including as fines.

The latest push for better behaviour in the game is part of the National Respect campaign launched by the FA three years ago.

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