Tag Archives: protocol

Football Association tell referees to demand more respect

Posted on by

EXCLUSIVE: FA tell referees to demand more respect from players and coaches

|

UPDATED:

08:48 GMT, 1 January 2013

The FA have fired a New Year warning across football that their ailing Respect campaign must be stepped up.

A communique sent to clubs and referees – seen by Sportsmail – urges: 'Still a great deal of work to do.'

It is significant from the tone that match officials are expected to take a tougher line on dissent, and runs contrary to the leniency shown by referee Mike Dean when Sir Alex Ferguson laid into him and his team of officials on Boxing Day.

Hard line: The FA wants its officials to work closely with club captains to save its ailing Respect campaign

Hard line: The FA wants its officials to work closely with club captains to save its ailing Respect campaign

Referees have been reminded to draw captains into the front line of the battle against any shows of disrespect to officials, as they were instructed to do when the initiative started. Among the set of reinforced guidelines, referees are urged to:

Work with captains even if they are 'some way from an incident'Use captains in a 'more visible way'Deal firmly with dissent and 'not move away from it'.

So determined are FA chiefs to improve behaviour that they have even laid down what they call their Fair Play Handshake Protocol – which uses diagrams to show how teams should line-up for the pre-match ceremony.

Handshakes, or the lack of them, have damaged the Respect initiative amid the racism rows involving John Terry and Anton Ferdinand and Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra.

Tirade: Sir Alex Ferguson berated Mike Dean during Manchester United's win over Newcastle

Tirade: Sir Alex Ferguson berated Mike Dean during Manchester United's win over Newcastle

Visible: Referees should not shy away from dealing with dissent on the pitch

Visible: Referees should not shy away from dealing with dissent on the pitch

The FA have told referees and clubs that since its launch in 2008 Respect has 'generally been accepted very favourably' but that much has to be done to get it 'embedded in everyone's thinking including managers, players and referees'.

Captains such as controversial Chelsea skipper Terry are expected to take a higher profile to help officials 'manage the players and the game effectively'.

John Terry, talking to Mark Halsey. will be expected to take a higher profile role with referees

John Terry, talking to Mark Halsey. will be expected to take a higher profile role with referees

Terry hasn't always enjoyed a good relationship with officials. Here he is beckoning Sportsmail's Graham Poll before his retirement.

Terry hasn't always enjoyed a good relationship with officials. Here he is beckoning Sportsmail's Graham Poll before his retirement.

But the onus is mostly on the referees who, say the FA, need to 'play a leading role' to ensure that 'the authority and respect for match officials is reinforced'.

They are also warned not to back away from confrontation but to 'stay and deal with it' by cautioning offenders.

Involved: Club captains such as Vincent Kompany (right) are expected to help officials 'manage the players and the game effectively'

Involved: Club captains such as Vincent Kompany (right) are expected to help officials 'manage the players and the game effectively'

New Zealand 21 South Africa 11: Aaron Smith brilliance makes it four wins from four

Posted on by

New Zealand 21 South Africa 11: Smith brilliance makes it four wins from four

|

UPDATED:

11:42 GMT, 15 September 2012

Replacement half-back Aaron Smith scored an outstanding individual try to inspire New Zealand to victory over South Africa at Forsyth Barr Stadium in the Rugby Championship.

Smith, who had been dropped to the bench for a breach of team protocol last weekend, replaced Piri Weepu at half-time and scooted through the defence midway through the second half for the try which broke the 8-8 deadlock.

The All Blacks scored two tries to one to record their 14th Test win but the Springboks had their opportunities, particularly in goal-kicking where Morne Steyn, Frans Steyn and Johan Goosen combined for only two of nine attempts.

Trybound: Aaron Smith skips away from Duane Vermulen

Trybound: Aaron Smith skips away from Duane Vermulen

Rugby Championship table

New Zealand W 4 D 0 L 0 Pts 16
South Africa W 1 D 1 L 2 Pts 7
Australia W 1 D 0 L 2 Pts 4
Argentina W 0 D 1 L 2 Pts 2

South Africa missed two early opportunities, with wing Bryan Habana unable to hold an awkward pass with the line open and Frans Steyn missing a shot at goal from almost 50m on the angle.

But when the All Blacks infringed at a breakdown, Morne Steyn kicked truly from 36m to open the scoring after 18 minutes.

However, the All Blacks struck back immediately, hooker Andrew Hore making good ground and number eight Kieran Read laying on the pass to give full-back Israel Dagg a clear run to the line to make it 5-3.

Morne Steyn was to the right with a penalty from 44m and in front and the All Blacks swept back on to the attack.

Gutted: Jannie du Plessis hangs his head after defeat

Gutted: Jannie du Plessis hangs his head after defeat

Frans Steyn was just under the bar with a penalty attempt from almost 10m inside his own half, a reminder of what distance he is capable of.

The Springboks were giving as good as they received in the forward exchanges, with lock Flip van der Merwe prominent, but Morne Steyn missed his second consecutive penalty attempt.

He then missed two other attempts at goal and the Springboks had the poor return of one success out of six to help the All Blacks lead at the interval.

The All Blacks were fortunate to be ahead, though, as the Springboks had 58 per cent territory and forced six turnovers from the All Blacks while conceding two.

Clearing his lines: Dagg kicks away despite the attentions of Andries Bekker

Clearing his lines: Dagg kicks away despite the attentions of Andries Bekker

Habana threatened early in the second spell but lost the ball forward in the tackle of Aaron Smith and the chance was lost.

Habana, though, gave the Springboks the lead with a brilliant individual try eight minutes into the half. He raced from a line-out 40m out, chipped and re-gathered to score in the right corner.

But Morne Steyn missed again and Aaron Cruden kicked a neat penalty three minutes later to tie the scores at 8-8 as the arm wrestle continued.

Winger Cory Jane had been safe under the high ball for the All Blacks and made another fine take as the Springboks tried to pressurise New Zealand's back three.

Crunching: Tendai Mtawarira is tackled by Aaron Cruden

Crunching: Tendai Mtawarira is tackled by Aaron Cruden

South Africa were kicking too much ball away and the All Blacks made them pay when Smith dummied and sidestepped through the defence from 25m out to score a gem of a try.

South Africa suffered another blow when replacement prop Dean Greyling was sin-binned as he dived indiscriminately into a ruck.

Johan Goosen took over from the out-of-sorts Morne Steyn but missed with a long-range attempt from 55m to make it one goal from eight for the Springboks.

But he was on target from 39m soon after and it was 15-11 with 11 minutes left.

Cruden's two late penalties added gloss to the final score of 21-11 as the hosts held on.

Graeme Swann says England have been poor since being World No 1

Posted on by

We've been dismal since we reached No 1, admits Swann

|

UPDATED:

06:40 GMT, 31 July 2012

Graeme Swann admitted England have been dismal since becoming the world’s No 1 Test team — a status they could relinquish at Headingley this week.

Andrew Strauss’s team head into the second match of this Investec Series against South Africa on the back of what Swann termed a ‘public humiliation’ at The Oval, knowing that a sixth defeat in 10 outings since reaching the pinnacle 11 months ago would see them deposed. As they have discovered, uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.

‘I don’t think as a unit it has affected us but I can’t deny the fact that since we’ve been No 1 we’ve a dismal record,’ Swann said. ‘Whether that goes hand in hand with being No 1, I don’t really know.

Not playing well: Graeme Swann says England have not played like a No 1 team for a while

Not playing well: Graeme Swann says England have not played like a No 1 team for a while

‘You need someone more qualified with the workings of the human mind.

‘We’re not doing anything differently. Perhaps that’s it: perhaps we’re not evolving quickly enough. Maybe there’s another level after going to No 1 that we haven’t reached yet.

Perhaps teams are hunting us down more, seeing us as a real threat now rather than underestimating us.

‘We need to get to the point where no matter how plucky opponents are they’re always in a dying cause. We need to stay No 1. I’m very proud of the fact we got there.’

To do so, England need to instigate
the kind of turnaround they produced in the 2009 Ashes, when they
shrugged off a crushing innings defeat in Leeds to complete a 2-1 win.
Like back then, team director Andy Flower broke protocol last week to
call a post-match debrief in the dressing room.

Dominated: Dale Steyn celebrates and gestures after dismissing Swann for his fifth wicket

Dominated: Dale Steyn celebrates and gestures after dismissing Swann for his fifth wicket

‘Sometimes the size 10 up the backside is what you need,’ said Swann.

‘It (the first Test) was a sort of public humiliation by the end of it, fielding that long and then getting skittled afterwards.’ Swann nevertheless believes England can hit back.

‘I am an eternal optimist and we can’t
possibly play as badly again. That meeting was very good, it brought a
lot of things to the surface.’

Another
break from the usual routine saw England net yesterday afternoon, three
days out. In contrast, South Africa captain Graeme Smith landed back on
these shores from witnessing the birth of his daughter.

On
Thursday, Swann will make his 44th consecutive England appearance at a
ground upon which South Africa have triumphed on their previous two
visits. However, with a recurring elbow problem plaguing him, Swann
concedes he may have to rest at some point to avert the need for
surgery.

Need to get better: Andrew Strauss and England could lose their No 1 spot if they are beaten in the second Test

Need to get better: Andrew Strauss and England could lose their No 1 spot if they are beaten in the second Test

‘If it keeps deteriorating I will undoubtedly have to miss some cricket. But it’s not really deteriorated in the last three or four weeks,’ he said.

Meanwhile, Swann is banking on Ravi Bopara to regain his England Test place. Bopara's defection from the squad for the upcoming Test came in mysterious circumstances, with the England and Wales Cricket Board citing only unspecified 'personal reasons'.

'It is sad for Rav,' the spinner said. 'He's been in brilliant nick – stupendous form, I think, until the Test match obviously.

'I was backing him to score heavily this summer, because of the way he'd been playing in those one-dayers. He just seemed to have found something. He will be back – this won't be it, for him. I'd put my mortgage on it.'

Investec, specialist bank and asset manager, are the title sponsors of Test match cricket. Visit investec.co.uk/cricket for player analysis, stats, match info and games.

Euro 2012: England will fight racial abuse through official channels

Posted on by

England hope to fight any racist abuse through official UEFA channels

|

UPDATED:

00:44 GMT, 9 June 2012

England will aim to keep the team on the pitch and fight racism through official channels if their players are abused during Euro 2012.

UEFA confirmed on Friday that black players in the Holland squad were targeted with monkey noises at a training session in Krakow – also the base for England and Italy.

England's open training session was
without incident yesterday with an FA spokesman saying: 'We are hopeful
there will be no problems at our matches.

Restraint: England trained and spent time at Auschwitz on Friday would not walk off the pitch if players are targeted

Restraint: England trained and spent time at Auschwitz on Friday would not walk off the pitch if players are targeted

Restraint: England trained and spent time at Auschwitz on Friday would not walk off the pitch if players are targeted

Restraint: England trained and spent time at Auschwitz on Friday would not walk off the pitch if players are targeted

Euro 2012 email button

'We are very respectful of both our host countries and want to enjoy the tournament.'

England, who play all their group games in Ukraine, would follow protocol observed in Bulgaria in September, when Theo Walcott, Ashley Young and Ashley Cole were targeted.

Targeted: Some of Holland's black players were taunted during a training session

Targeted: Some of Holland's black players were taunted during a training session

Targeted: Some of Holland's black players were taunted during a training session

Ben Morgan to be fast-tracked into England team

Posted on by

Morgan to be fast-tracked into England side after picking red rose

Ben Morgan will be pitched straight into England's Six Nations squad after deciding to pursue a Test career with the land of his birth rather than Wales, where he plays and lives.

The Scarlets No 8 from Bristol rejected an approach from Stuart Lancaster last summer to represent the Saxons.

Decision: Ben Morgan opted to stake his international future with England

Decision: Ben Morgan opted to stake his international future with England

However, as revealed by Sportsmail
last week, England were confident of winning the tussle for his
services and now that they have, they plan to fast-track Morgan, 22,
rather than ease him in via the second-string side.

Forwards coach Graham Rowntree said:
'We've been looking at him for a long time, and, without pre-empting
selection, we'll be looking to get him involved quickly.'

Breaking news first: How Sportsmail brought reported Morgan's decision

Breaking news first: How Sportsmail brought reported Morgan's decision

Morgan's imminent selection would
appear to be at odds with the RFU edict against picking overseas-based
players, but Lancaster said: 'Ben's contract was signed with the Scarlets before the new protocol came in, so it comes under “exceptional circumstances”.'

Sportsmail
understands that at least three Aviva Premiership clubs are interested
in signing Morgan, who may be released early from his Scarlets contract -
due to run until the end of next season – if he becomes established
with England.

Plan: Stuart Lancaster convinced Morgan to play for England

Plan: Stuart Lancaster convinced Morgan to play for England