I haven't been able to find any HOL comment on the "news" that the International FA is considering ways of stamping out disrespect. Our own authorities have been doling out punishments for decades for clubs' "failure to control their players", but have achieved nothing, because the penalties are so puny. Everyone will recall that referee at Old Trafford who pathetically allowed himself to be marched backwards for several yards, pursued by a pack of snarling players led by that appalling oaf, Roy Keane. More recently, Manchester United, according to Talksport, were the most fined club in the country last season, their "fines" totalling a derisory £202k. I wish the IFA luck with ideas like allowing only captains to approach officials, but in the absence of meaningful punishments nothing will change. Points deductions would eliminate the problem
overnight.

Any views, Willo?

Thanks for posting that. But if, as seems to happen somewhere or other every Saturday, the referee has four or five harrassing him, he clearly won't send all of them off for ten minutes. So then what? Send them off one at a time?

There's always a ringleader, the one who is most vociferous in his haranging, and the referee would use his judgement to send that player to the bin.

Should Ifab implement this trial players will be aware of the penalty for infringement and, hopefully, recognise the deterrent effect.

It's a sad sign of the times that this idea is even being considered, but if it helps to develop a more respectful approach then it will be worth it.

Unfortunately, all the issues with VAR that we are seeing right now are probably causing much of the onfield ill-temper.

Dad and I watched games standing on the muddy slope of the Holmesdale Road end. He cheered and I rattled.

Respect is earned. The howler from the Ref, at the Man City game, will not earn much.

Eze Peasy at Anfield....

I don't have any firm convictions either way apart from wanting players to stop bullying referees. I say give it a try at the lower league level if it works great if not (sin) bin it.

One more point

At senior grassroots level in these parts, the referee generally speaks to the officials of both teams when they exchange teamsheets between them, I have not heard of anyone lecturing the players in the dressing-rooms prior to the commencement of a game.

I do recall, perhaps in the 80s, being told that there was a rather portly referee with a Lambeg Drum paunch assigned to a Sunday League game on a park pitch. Conscious that he might attract vitriol due to his large girth, he visited the teams in the dressing-rooms and told them "Don't you dare call me a fat c..t" which drew raucous laughter from the players.