Protocol for Dealing with Discriminatory Abuse
As a result of high profile incidents where players have been the targets for discriminatory abuse from spectators at stadiums it was felt that guidelines needed to be drawn up containing advice for dealing with similar situations were they to occur at matches in this country.
As a result of consultations amongst relevant organisations it has been agreed that incidents of discriminatory abuse targeted at players, managers or match officials (“Participants”) by spectators should be dealt with in a similar manner to the way in which threats of physical attack on Participants are handled.
For example if missiles were being thrown on to the field of play the referee would be expected to draw the matter to the attention of the police and safety officer who would then have responsibility for dealing with the issue.
If the issue could not be dealt with in such a way that the safety of the Participants remained at risk then the referee could in liaison with the police and safety officer remove the players from the field. A further opportunity could then be given for the situation to be resolved. If it could not then ultimately the referee would have the right to abandon the game.
A similar response should occur where incidents of discriminatory abuse take place.
The incident should be brought to the attention of the referee
The referee should report the matter to the police (if in attendance) and safety officer.
The police and safety officer should seek to identify the person/people responsible and take appropriate action while the match continues
If, after a reasonable amount of time, the problem continues then the referee in consultation with the police and safety officer may remove the players from the field and suspend the match allowing the police and safety officer a further opportunity to deal with the problem.
Only if the matter cannot be dealt with satisfactorily, warnings have gone unheeded and the welfare of the Participants, in terms of their facing the threat of continued discriminatory abuse, remains at risk should the referee consider abandoning the game.
Any decision to suspend or abandon a game should be taken by the referee after full consultation with the police and safety officer.
The above protocol has been agreed by the Premier League, Football League and Football Association in the knowledge of and after consultation with the following organisations:
The Professional Footballers Association
The League Managers Association
The Professional Game Match Officials Board
The Safety Officers Association
Kick It Out
The Association of Chief Police Officers
Match Commanders.
Supplementary guidance note on offensive / abusive language involving discriminatory comments
If a match official hears any offensive or abusive comments which include any reference to race, ethnic origin, colour, nationality, faith, gender, sexual orientation or disability they must:
Dismiss the offending player from the field in accordance with Law 12
Make full notes of the exact words used as soon as possible
Complete full notes of the incident immediately after the match (ie prior to leaving the changing room)
The notes should be retained by the match officials
As well as submitting an extraordinary match report the referee should immediately inform the appointing authority.
If a match official is made aware of allegations relating to comments involving race, ethnic origin, colour, nationality, faith, gender, sexual orientation or disability they must:
Make full notes of any discussions as soon as possible. Note that the PFA encourages players to report any such incidents to the match officials as soon as possible. Match officials may become aware of incidents which they themselves have not witnessed during the course of a game. If this occurs the referee should ensure that full notes of the incident are made at the time..
Where a match official is advised of an allegation after the match they should ensure that full notes of the allegation are made prior to leaving the changing room.
The notes should include timings and as be as accurate as possible including reported speech
The notes should document all participants in attendance at the meeting or meetings
The notes should be retained by the match officials
As well as submitting an extraordinary match report the referee should immediately inform the appointing authority.