London FA, the county FA responsible for 5,600+ teams and 70,000 players from the age of five, has today revealed insight into the growing impact of poor behaviour within grassroots football.
In-line with The FA’s national Respect the Standard programme, which reviews behaviour in grassroots football more generally, tackling poor behviour is one of London FA’s strategic priorities due to a growing trend in inappropriate touchline conduct within the network – with a particular concentration on parents, spectators and coaches. This season alone, team disciplinary fines have increased by 10% year-on-year.
Exploring the potential impact this may have on young players as they progress through their footballing journey, owned research from London FA can now reveal that – according to league referees* – players begin to display these learned behaviours from just 11 years of age.
Poor behaviour, defined in various ways such as verbal abuse to officials and opponents, aggressive play, discrimination and poor sportsmanship, is accelerated by the actions of those on the touchlines, London FA referees believe.
When asked to share their experiences, one referee said: “Some parents get it right, with encouragement and support. Some turn that into promoting bad sportsmanship, or unnecessary criticism of match officials (including those who are visibly young). I’ve heard comments that accuse young children of cheating and encouragement of bad behaviour.”
The role of the elite game also comes into question, with several referees claiming that young players “copy professional footballers and use their ‘tactics’ towards other players to try and anger them internationally. This then can make it quite difficult for newer referees”.
With the data suggesting that by age 11, young players are already demonstrating these behaviours on the pitch, London FA has sought to take action through the launch of the London Football Positive Parent Behaviour Charter. Based on The FA’s Grassroots Code, London FA’s Charter is aimed specifically at parents and seeks to push them to reflect on their behaviour and its wider impact.
The Charter consists of 10 simple guidelines designed to raise awareness of the boundaries for supporting players, and encourages parents, guardians, coaches and anyone else involved in supporting under 18s football, to sign it by way of commitment to ensuring that grassroots football in London remains a safe, positive and inclusive environment for all. It also includes clarity on the sanctions available to referees should spectators act inappropriately.
The launch of the London Football Positive Parent Behaviour Charter is supported by former West Ham United and Queens Park Rangers star, Anton Ferdinand. Ferdinand, who experienced his own incidents of abuse and misconduct through his playing career, is keen to share London FA’s message and encourage everyone involved in grassroots football to keep it positive.
Ferdinand said: How I deal with abuse is by playing the best you can and allowing your feet to do the talking. Proving your point though football rather than physical or verbal alteration.”
Paul Bickerton, CEO at London FA said:” The London FA network is growing at a rapid pace and we’re incredibly proud of the diversity that shines through across our leagues. However, there has sadly been a rise in the number of instances of poor behaviour in recent years, and we’re determined to stamp this out. Working closely with The FA and their own Respect the Standard programme, we are focusing in particularly on parents and the impact of their behaviour.
Grassroots football, especially for our young players who are just starting their footballing journey, should be a welcoming environment that brings the best out of each and every member, be they player, parent or coach, so we’re hopeful that the introduction of the London Football Positive Parent Behaviour Charter will help reshape how people act moving forwards, and keep the beautiful game a positive one across London.”
To read and/or sign the Charter, visit https://www.londonfa.com/leagues-and-clubs/the-positive-parent-behaviour-charter
