At a seminar for youth teams held at the Walkers Stadium on the 28th Janurary 2010 clubs asked the Leagues to make the use of designated spectator areas mandatory. As from the 2010/11 season as part of thee FA Respect Programme, Leagues including, league officials, referees, all member clubs their officers, players, parents and spectators will be expected to support and uphold the conditions of the Football Association Respect Codes of Conduct.
Except under circumstances authorised by the Leagues' Management Committee, clubs shall provide a designated spectator area for all youth football in accordance with the guidelines laid out by the Football Association. Any club found not adhering to these guidelines may be fined upto £20 by their respective League.
The barriers literally draw the line which parents and spectators should not cross. It is recommended that fans and parents/carers from both sides stand behind this 'barrier' on one full length of the pitch.
This allows the coaches of both teams to stand on the other side of the pitch, meaning players get instructions from just one side of the pitch.
You may prefer an alternative form of marking a Designated Spectators' Area, but you must ensure this is safe for both the spectators and the players. The FA strongly recommends you obtain formal agreement from the facility/pitch provider about which method of marking is most suitable for the pitch, before beginning any work or buying any new equipment.
The safety of the players, officials and spectators is paramount.
The size of the area around home pitches will dictate whether you are able to use:
- FA Approved Respect Barriers (www.touchlinelogos.com)
- Poles with rope
- Cones
- Spray paint to mark the designated spectator areas
- The spectators' area should start two metres from the touchline on one side of the pitch. Each area should run the full length of the pitch. This means no-one should be watching from behind the goals.
Where there is not enough room, you must speak to the club and agree what distance from the touchline is realistic to ensure marked areas are safe for players, match officials and spectators.
Both the poles and rope must be removed in the interests of safety after each game unless they are to be used for subsequent matches that day.
Where cones are being used club officials should ensure these are still in place at the start of any subsequent games to be played on the same pitch.
Where spray paint is used, club officials must check the lines have not faded between games.
Designated Spectators' Area Barriers can be used in adult football and, in fact, some adult clubs involved in The FA's Respect pilot in 2008 saw a positive change in spectator behaviour. There isn't a grant available at this time (the key aim with the barrier is to promote better parental behaviour in youth football) but barriers can be bought or adult clubs can use the alternative markings detailed above. FA endorsed barriers can be bought from www.touchlinelogos.com
For further information on RESPECT please contact Marion Hayton, Respect Lead Officer at Leicestershire & Rutland CFA on 0784 366 4751 or email: marion.hayton@leicestershirefa.com