Hertfordshire FA is aware that a high proportion of discipline issues are not reported to the County FA, this will include cautions and sending off’s. Anecdotal evidence suggests that this is widespread throughout the grassroots game.
If a player receives a caution for dissent during a game and the referee does not report it, the player has effectively got away with it and more likely to show dissent in the next game. If the caution is reported, the player is less likely to offend in the next game.
The County Welfare Officer, Referee Development Officer and the Discipline team has taken a proactive stance to ensure that all discipline issues are reported to the County FA which includes:
- Encouraging those involved to report incidents however minor to the County FA
- Issuing warnings to referees who fail to complete paperwork in relation to sending off’s cautions and misconduct
- Discussing with the referees committee possible sanctions against referees who regularly fail to complete paperwork
- Taking action against clubs who try to persuade referees not to report issues
- Taking a pro active stance in monitoring teams where issues have been reported
- Supporting leagues in addressing issues with problem clubs
As a result this season the County FA has noticed a significant rise in cautions being reported but have also noticed significant decrease in misconduct cases.
To make the reporting process easier, the Hertfordshire FA has decided to launch a reporting email address respect@hertfordshirefa.com . This will enable those involved to easily report issues that have happened in their game which could be cautions, sending off’s or misconduct.
Anyone reporting issues through this email address will receive an acknowledgement by return and no correspondence will be entered into. Should anyone wish to discuss an issue that has happened in a game the matter should be reported through the appropriate channels.