Directives

18. Protocol for Dealing with Racist Abuse

2008/09 Directives

As a result of high profile incidents where players have been the targets for racial 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 involving Premier League and/or Football League Clubs.

As a result of consultations amongst relevant organisations it has been agreed that incidents of racist 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 racist abuse take place.

• The incident should be brought to the attention of the referee
• The referee should report the matter to the police 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 racist 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.

© RefWorld. All rights reserved.