IN an effort to stop on-field abuse, the GVA has taken a zero-tolerance approach to swearing.
During the opening two rounds of football there have been 4 reports made for using or behaving in an abusive or obscene language on the field. Some either swear a lot or are slow learners.
Goulburn Valley Football Umpires president, Andrew Moore, said, “These types of reports and actions are completely unacceptable on and off the football field and need to be stamped out. If these actions continue, the already scarce umpiring numbers will continue to drop off.”
Three of these reports have since been heard by tribunal, where players have believed to have been swearing, but not at the umpires, and the tribunal have supported their versions of events.
As from now, GVFUA Umpires will be instructed to take a zero-tolerance approach towards swearing on the football field.
For players who do, they face a free kick against them and a 50m penalty.
There will be no warnings for these errors of players and umpires will continue to make reports and use red and yellow cards where applicable to make sure the behaviour stops.
Regional director of umpiring, Sam Wood, said “This move is one that will hopefully remove the grey area based around swearing and abuse and lead to a football environment that both umpires and players can enjoy.”
This new zero tolerance approach will be implemented in every league from senior football down to Under 14’s. Senior players need to realise the significance of their actions.
The people who may witness these actions, for example junior kids, take these actions back to their junior competitions. They may feel justified in doing it because the senior players do it in their matches and it is deemed okay. It is not okay to be swearing at players or umpires on the field and this is a factor of the game that needs to change.
