My Role in the Respect Program

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Respect affects the entire game, and needs your help, regardless of how you are involved in soccer.

Player  - Coach - Referee  - Parents and Spectators  - Club and League Officials

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PLAYERS

Whether you're in the starting team or on the bench, your role as a player is crucial to the success of Respect. On a match day, you'll be expected to work with your coaches and your captain to allow the referee to manage the game without being subjected to abuse. With the game losing thousands of referees from the game every year, it's hugely important, because without the referees, the game isn't the same.

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If the league you play in adopts the Respect program, you will be asked to read, agree to, and sign, a Code of Conduct at your club. This will be your 'promise' to abide by a set of rules governing your behavior as a player. Working together with your coach, your captain, and each referee that takes charge of your games during the season, you can play a major role in improving the game for everyone, through Respect.

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COACHES

Coaches have a hugely important role to play in Respect, as they are not only responsible for their own behavior, but they can also influence that of their players and spectators, too. On a match day, you'll be expected to work with your players, parents and other spectators to allow the referee to manage the game without being subjected to abuse.

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REFEREES

The Respect program aims to allow Referees to officiate matches without being subjected to abuse by players, coaches or spectators - and the referees themselves have a key part to play in the process.

Working in partnership with the clubs they officiate, referees can provide post-match feedback regarding the behavior of players, parents, coaches and other spectators, to help the clubs enforce their Codes of Conduct.

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PARENTS AND SPECTATORS

Parents have a big responsibility as part of the Respect program.

Respect is working to eradicate touchline abuse in soccer, and parents can play their part by agreeing to, and signing, their club's Code of Conduct and abiding by them throughout the season.

Parents also have a responsibility for their children's behavior. The players will also be asked to sign a Code of Conduct, and parents can encourage their children to adhere to the players' code.

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CLUB AND LEAGUE OFFICIALS

The Respect program relies on clubs and leagues to take active steps to ensure high standards of conduct throughout their club or league.

Leagues can champion the Respect program, and communicate the importance of Respect to their member clubs through meetings and bulletins.

Club officials can sign up to and enforce Codes of Conduct for their players, coaches, parents and spectators, which will set the standard for behavior throughout their club. Click here to download the Respect Guide for Leagues.