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Tackling Abuse and Discrimination in Grassroots Football: FA Points Deduction System Warms the Hearts of Fighting Campaigners
The Football Association (FA) has taken a step in the right direction by introducing a points deduction system to tackle abuse and discrimination in grassroots football. The new system, set to be implemented from the 2023-24 season, intends to dock points from clubs below step six in the men’s game or tier three and below in the women’s game in cases where players or coaches are found to engage in discriminatory language or misconduct against a match official on more than one occasion in a 12-month period.
Mark Bullingham, the FA’s Chief Executive, said: “We can often hear the issues that Grassroots football participants face when it comes to player behaviour and we are determined to change this. We hope that this proves to be an effective deterrent to improve the culture of the grassroots game.”
Tajean Hutton, Head of Grassroots and Community at Kick It Out, has commended the FA for this move, “The FA have come forward and made this happen much quicker than we expected. It’s something we saw as a long-term ambition at Kick it Out.”
The point deduction system has been in the news recently following the racism Vinícius Júnior has been subjected to in Spain, where La Liga’s President Javier Tebas has already voiced support for this idea.
Tajean Hutton believes that sanctions against discriminatory behaviour should not just be limited to grassroots football but should also be extended to the professional level and is confident that it will be taken seriously: “I don’t think this should even be a question. Football clubs prioritize two things; winning and income. When you use sanctions to put those things in danger, individuals who would have usually turned a blind eye are now suddenly looking for ways to help the cause.”
