FAI Introduces “Only the Captain” Policy Guidelines

Respect and fairness towards all participants are core values of our sport. However, referees and other match officials are regularly subjected to verbal and/or behavioural dissent when they make decisions. In extreme cases, players sometimes run at referees and surround or mob them, which shows a lack of respect for the referee, harms the image of the game and can be intimidating and upsetting.

In an effort to develop stronger collaboration between the referee and teams a new system of communication between the referee and team captains will be implemented from the start of this season. It is designed to increase transparency, help instill fairness and develop mutual respect.

Referees will now offer an explanation of key decisions, to the team captain who will be allowed to approach the referee, provided that they do so respectfully and conduct themselves in a calm and respectful manner.

At the same time, it will be the responsibility of each captain to ensure that their team-mates remain a reasonable distance from the referee and do not interfere in the interaction between the referee and the team captain(s).

Full FAI document can be downloaded here.