“Abroad is unutterably bloody, and foreigners are fiends. So said Uncle Matthew in Nancy Mitford’s The Pursuit Of Love, and this — or something not very far off it — is the attitude that is creeping into English football. The cause is diving. For the last couple of weeks, the issue of players exaggerating, or downright inventing, the effects of tackles in order to con referees into giving them free-kicks and penalties has been the talk of the town.”
via Diving is the only way we can compete with the world’s elite – Football – Sport – Evening Standard.
Mal Says - Perhaps British Olympic Diver Tom Daley should take over as National Coach for England. If it’s the only way we can compete, let’s do it magnificently…
Listen to Mal’s broadcast on 17-04-2012 where Mal discusses this highly controversial subject http://www.dontxtheline.com/17-04-2011-diving-and-cheating-in-football/
“We have to keep beating the drum about goal-line technology for helping the referees out. That was never a goal by Juan Mata, and everyone knows it. Martin Atkinson did apologize to Harry Redknapp after the game, but it’s too late.
I’m not saying that single call changed the face of the game. Yet, everyone realizes that these calls hurt the sport. We saw Chelsea get an unfair lift at Stamford Bridge against Wigan last Sunday, and the Latics might suffer relegation because of it. Manchester United were clearly denied a penalty this week as well.
The referees have a very difficult job, and I think if you asked them they would tell you they would welcome the help.
Forget all the business about human error, and face the facts. There is too much money, too much pressure and too much attention to sweep this under the carpet any longer. There are going to be a lot of conversations about this very issue, and I just hope we do the right thing and get the referees an extra set of eyes that technology can bring.”
Warren Burton
Read Article – Premier League Title Still up For Grabs
Former Everton defender Cliff Marshall joined a group of young people recently to mark the launch of an exciting new radio station.
Cliff attended the official launch of football’s respect campaign ‘Don’t X The Line’s’ internet based radio station, ‘Grassroots Football Radio 121’, which is a new initiative to instil a zero tolerance attitude towards aggression, verbal abuse and anti-social behaviour in young people involved in grassroots football.
Grassroots Football Radio 121 will be broadcast seven days a week between 7-8pm. The show will be packed full of team news from around the country, interviews with football officials and ambassadors of the charity and personal experiences from the participants involved in the scheme, all designed to teach young people to respect the game.
Full article and picture at Everton In The Community – CLICK HERE
Academy starlets Kristoffer Peterson and Yusuf Mersin were on hand to help launch respect campaign Don’t X the Line’s internet-based radio station, Grass Roots Radio 121.
Don’t X the Line aims to instill a zero tolerance attitude towards aggression, verbal abuse and anti-social behaviour in young people involved in grassroots football, both on and off the field.
Their new station will be broadcast seven days a week between 7-8pm.
Full article and photographs at Liverpool FC TV – CLICK HERE
This weekend Liverpool FC is backing a campaign by match officials across the country who will be wearing t-shirts bearing an important message for football fans everywhere.
As part of ‘Respect the Referee’ awareness weekend, referees and officials will don the shirts during their pre-match warm up to promote the Don’t X the Line campaign.
Don’t X the Line was established in 2003 by Malcolm Lee. Its aim is to support a zero tolerance policy towards constant aggression, verbal abuse, bullying and racist comments on and off the football field.
It looks to reach out directly to grassroots participation and so the initiative is aimed specifically at parents and supporters who are at the heart of bad touchline behaviour.
And this weekend, referees and officials will wear the shirts in order to raise awareness of the lack of respect in the game.
Liverpool’s Jamie Carragher has been one of a number of high-profile people within the game who has come out in full support of the scheme in the past.
Over the last eight years the campaign has worked with a host of Premier League clubs and is supported by the FA, the Premier League itself, the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) and the League Management Committee.
Author: @philreade
Article – http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/lfc-backs-respect-for-referees
Over the weekend of March 10-11, the Don’t X the Line campaign is working together with The Premier League, referees and assistants to raise awareness for respect in football.
Mal Lee - Founder of Don't X The Line
A Respect the Referee initiative in grassroots football is aimed at parents and spectators who are at the heart of bad touchline behaviour.
The Don’t X the Line campaign has been established since 2003 to support zero tolerance against aggression, verbal abuse, bullying and racist comments on and off the football field.
Over the last eight years the campaign has linked closely with a number of Premier League clubs, Mike Riley (General Manager of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited) and ambassadors Chris Foy (Premier League referee) and Liverpool’s Jamie Carragher.
“It is an honour to be asked to be an ambassador for the Don’t X The Line,” said Carragher. “I obviously started myself at grassroots level and I do understand the problem we have with referees and youngsters becoming increasingly under pressure from a minority of pushy spectators whilst participating in grassroots football.”
The campaign also receives the full support of former referee Keith Hackett, the Football Association, Premier League and the Professional Footballers Association.
Dont X the Line founder Mal Lee said: “I support referees as they make the decisions and that leaves them in the firing line from both sets of supporters.
“I started the campaign in December 2003. I have been involved for 30 years in grassroots football and have been involved in committees, as well as running teams.
“While I was a manager for an under 10s team I witnessed children crying because their parents were fighting each other, I saw parents in an under 10s game picking up baseball bats to use on each other, referees threatened and chased by irate parents, and committee members leaving because they had been threatened.
“I also witnessed a free for all in an under 12s match. Both teams and parents started a battle over a refereeing decision and the referee was chased.
“After witnessing these incidents and many more the time was right to start some sort of campaign.
“The campaign was developed and over the years has continued to get stronger. We have received fantastic support from our ambassador Keith Hackett, as well as Liverpool FC, Everton FC, Jamie Carragher, the FA, the Premier League, the PFA, the League Management Committee and the PGMOL.”
Don’t X the Line, the forerunner for the FA’s Respect programme, is a volunteer organisation. More information about the campaign can be found on the website: www.dontxtheline.com
With Grateful Acknowledgement to TOTAL FOOTBALL MAGAZINE
.
Over the weekend of March 10-11, the Don’t X the Line campaign is working together with The Premier League, referees and assistants to raise awareness for respect in football.
A Respect the Referee initiative in grassroots football is aimed at parents and spectators who are at the heart of bad touchline behaviour.
The Don’t X the Line campaign has been established since 2003 to support zero tolerance against aggression, verbal abuse, bullying and racist comments on and off the football field.
Over the last eight years the campaign has linked closely with a number of Premier League clubs, Mike Riley (General Manager of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited) and ambassadors Chris Foy (Premier League referee) and Liverpool’s Jamie Carragher.
“It is an honour to be asked to be an ambassador for the Don’t X The Line,” said Carragher. “I obviously started myself at grassroots level and I do understand the problem we have with referees and youngsters becoming increasingly under pressure from a minority of pushy spectators whilst participating in grassroots football.”
The campaign also receives the full support of former referee Keith Hackett, the Football Association, Premier League and the Professional Footballers Association.
Dont X the Line founder Mal Lee said: “I support referees as they make the decisions and that leaves them in the firing line from both sets of supporters.
“I started the campaign in December 2003. I have been involved for 30 years in grassroots football and have been involved in committees, as well as running teams.
“While I was a manager for an under 10s team I witnessed children crying because their parents were fighting each other, I saw parents in an under 10s game picking up baseball bats to use on each other, referees threatened and chased by irate parents, and committee members leaving because they had been threatened.
“I also witnessed a free for all in an under 12s match. Both teams and parents started a battle over a refereeing decision and the referee was chased.
“After witnessing these incidents and many more the time was right to start some sort of campaign.
“The campaign was developed and over the years has continued to get stronger. We have received fantastic support from our ambassador Keith Hackett, as well as Liverpool FC, Everton FC, Jamie Carragher, the FA, the Premier League, the PFA, the League Management Committee and the PGMOL.”
Don’t X the Line, the forerunner for the FA’s Respect programme, is a volunteer organisation. More information about the campaign can be found on the website: www.dontxtheline.com
.
***Press Release***** .
Don’t X The Line Campaign .
‘Respect the Referee’ Awareness weekend .
10th March / 11th 2012
.
Over the weekend 10th to the 11th March Don’t X the Line Campaign cic,
is working together with The Premier League, Referees & Assistants, to
raise the awareness of Respect in the game of football. The PGMOL,
match officials have committed their support, for the fourth year running
and to wear branded Tee Shirts promoting Don’t X the Line, around the
football grounds during their warm ups, prior to officiating their game
.
Our Respect the Referee initiative, in grassroots football, is aimed at those
parents and spectators who are at the heart of bad touchline behaviour.
The wearing of the tee shirts will generate awareness to all the junior
leagues parents/spectators and players around the country, and help with
maintaining and attracting more referees to the sport we love.
.
Notes to Editors
The Don’t X the Line Campaign has been established since 2003, and was
fashioned by Malcolm (Mal) Lee, to support zero tolerance amongst
football people by not putting up with constant aggression, verbal abuse,
bullying & racist comments on and off the football field.
.
Over the last five years the campaign has linked closely with a number of
Premier League Clubs; Mike Riley, General Manager of the
Professional Game Match Official Limited (PGMOL); and
Ambassadors Chris Foy, (premiership referee) & Jamie
Carragher, (Liverpool FC). The campaign also receives the full
support of Keith Hackett,(Premier League ) the Football
Association (FA), Premier League, Professional Footballers
Association (PFA) & the League Management Committee
.
The Don’t X the Line Campaign was the forerunner for the FA’s, Respect
Programme, and as a voluntary organisation, is proud of its achievements
to date, where it will continue, with the support of many volunteers, to make
a difference across the Country.
.
Last year, Professional clubs supported Don’t X the Line Campaign and
helped with the awareness of Respect the Referee, by promoting the
message over the public address system; advertising it on their websites,
and also with copy in match day programmes. Clubs further responded by
sending their logo,and one or two managers wore a small lapel badge in
support of the awarenessweekend. Don’t X the Line Campaign requests
the media, clubs or County FA’s,o offer support, where possible, with the
weekend of action
.
Further contact for interviews and photo opportunities are as follows:
.
Mal Lee (Founder Don’t X The Line CIC:
07951 442480 0151 287 9905
Website: www.dontxthelinecampaign.com
Email: mal@dontxtheline.co.uk
Press Release : “Respect the Referee” Awareness Weekend 10th+11th March 2012
http://www.dontxtheline.com/press-release-referee-awareness-weekend-march-2012/
Chris Evans
(Press & Publicity Officer),
Essex County Football Association, The County Office, Springfield Lyons Approach, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 5LB. Tel: (01245) 393085 Fax: (01245) 393089 E-Mail: chris.evans@essexfa.com Incorporated in Cardiff. No. 3843186 CM2 5LB. Tel: (01245) 393085. Fax: (01245) 393089 E-Mail: chris.evans@essexfa.com Incorporated in Cardiff. No. 3843186
National Children's Football Alliance – NCFA
The NCFA’s extended children’s focused organisations form a vital network of partnerships sharing best practice in all stages of childhood. The NCFA will be accessible to all communities seeking advice on the children’s game.
“Mal talks about the big game Saturday 25th May,organising an event is not easy as anyone who has tried this will verify it, the person who has the easiest job is the celeb you ask to help by getting involved,they only have to say yes or no,many say yes and when the event approaches then,many [...]
Interviews on tonights show, Jmie Carragher,(LFC) John Hudson (PFA) sit back and enjoy tonights show
“Mal talks about the second visit to the City of Salford Soccer League finals at the Manchester United training Facilities Ayrshire Road, and what a pleasure it was for myself and the volunteers from DXTL,to be involved in, and witness Respect and Sportsmanship at the highest level,what an excellent achievement this was from a very [...]
“Mal talks about a possible transfer regarding one of his strikers moving across to Everton Legends,as they believe Tony Snell from BBC Radio Merseyside ,is an Everton season ticket holder and may make a move before the deadline on Thursday to poach Snelly away from Don’t X The Line.will the move happen.?
“Mal talks about a very emotional day at Anfield as Jamie Carragher says his final farewell to the Anfield faithful,and David Moyes leaves his beloved Blues for pastures new at Manchester United,your views and your thoughts.?
