Posted By Simon Ayee This subject is in the media spotlight at present with the emphasis on what effect the player's reactions (verbal & physical) may have on young players rather than on the officials. One "broadsheet" columnist & former professional footballer wrote yesterday "….. Aggression and passion fuel football and bad behaviour is an inevitable by-product. It's not something to be proud of but it's a fact. …". He goes on to argue that zero tolerance would remove this aggression & passion but football would not be something that people would want to watch. Player's may also be subject to violence from other players or verbal abuse by their manger. Other sports may suffer from this problem but it was interesting to hear one commentator state that in tennis one former multiple Wimbledon champion's behaviour would not be tolerated now. We also see the media focussing on unacceptable behaviour from other celebrities (e.g. chefs) as they appear to think it makes good viewing. HSE's definition of defines work-related violence as: "Any incident in which a person is abused, threatened or assaulted in circumstances relating to their work." This can include verbal abuse or threats as well as physical attacks. HSE and local authorities are putting effort into making employers aware that they must consider the risk of reasonably foreseeable violence to employees; decide how significant these risks are; decide what to do to prevent or control the risks; and develop a clear management plan to achieve this. I don't believe there are special cases: the employers of the match officials and players should be taking action to control the risks. HSE state: All work-related violence, both verbal and physical, has serious consequences for employees and for the business they work for. For employees violence can cause pain [and] distress … Football is not responsible for society's ills but with its high profile it sets an example (good & bad). More importantly we do not now tolerate such behaviour in other workplaces e.g. the NHS.

Posted By Robert (Rod) Douglas I would like to stick my two pennies worth in if I may. Footbalers are an employee of the club and the football pitch is their "Workplace", would I be correct so far? In what "Workplace then would you get away with a ban and a trivial fine for physically asualting an employee from another firm. (You most defintely end up in Court and may get a Custodial sentence) Arsenal V Man Utd, where the Man Utd player head butted the Arsenal player, assualt. To say that passions run high is a bag of Bo****** when I was a serving soldier and I was on the streets of Belfast (My "Workplace) I could not head butt someone for annoying me or even chucking items at me......Let me tell you on the streets of Belfast passions run high!!! Duncan Ferguson did the exact same thing in Scotland a few years ago when he played for Rangers and he was convicted and sentenced to three months in Prison. Footballers are paid obscene amounts of money to play therefore they should be disciplined individuals. It is about time that they stop pandering to these people and give them a reality check. (I am not taring all footballers with the sane brush) Aye, Rod

Posted By Robert (Rod) Douglas Johnathon, yes the insane brush!!! It's my big Chipola's!!!! I see you have the same problem.....just "abouve" Tag your it....... This is such a big money making area it will continue and till someone gets reallly hurt.. But the kids cannot play conkers at school... Aye, Rod

Posted By Chris Black football is a contact sport, leave it alone. the football authorities are issuing heavy fines and other censures to try and control things. they should be allowed to run their own house. if you dont like it, dont watch. these guys are highly paid and can afford expensive lawyers, it is very hard for the game to control miscreants. A livingston player was sacked for spitting on a colleague, he appealed to the SFA and his case was upheld. compensation was paid. Duncan Ferguson, if i remember correctly he did appear in court for a football related matter, but had already been convicted of other assaults. Why are people getting sanctimonious about this, rugby players have been knocking seven colurs of solid waste out of each other for yonks, yet the perception of rugby as a sport of the middle and upper classes precludes anyone branding it as violent. Perhaps every boxing match should be reported under RIDDOR, if the objective is to hit without being hit then every blow that lands might be classed as non-consensual violence.

Posted By Stephen P I read with interest, as an employed H & S Adviser in Education and in my spare time as a Steward trainer and member of the safety team of a Coca Cola League club. I see at every game off the ball elbows and kicks that go unscathed and I hear foul and abusive language from on the pitch and in the dugouts, quite often off the pitch too. This season an opposing manager has rasied his hands to me in the tunnel because I dared try to stop him getting at the ref. I have been looked at like I am some sort of idiot on two occasions when I have told players / managers not to use foul language at me. Yes it is a bad example that gets set, especially with the number of cameras and picture quality that exist. Also the number of games, when the likes of me grew up we used to get brief highlights of a couple of games with cameras not even at the three quarters of top flight games. The point is that the rules already account for this but they are not upheld. Foul and abusive language is a straight red offence and any lobbying should be done to the FA and Keith Hacketts Referee group to operate a zero tolerance. Note also that a few days ago FIFA announced that they would be abandoning the 10 yard penalty for dissent. Cricket and Rugby Union do not have a problem as such as any offender is dealt with. How many shows of descent do you see when a batsman disagrees that he got an edge, a small glimpse at the bat on the way back maybe as anything more results in loss of part of the match fee. It would be very easy to improve the situation if the FA / UEFA / FIFA etc decided to. Rant over.

Posted By Simon Ayee Chris/Nick My posting was intended to mainly relate to the abuse and aggression directed at match officials - I don't believe it's a contact sport for them. It may not be possible to eradicate but my point is that everyone is entitled to have their health and safety protected whilst at work. Many people work in environments where they can be subjected to verbal abuse or physical violence (especially those with enforcemnet roles). We expect their employers to assess the risk and take appropriate action. Are match officials not entitiled to the same level of protection as the rest of us?

Posted By Phil.D.Baptiste Rod.... Aye, I totally agree I often wonder about some supporters mentality, football is a contact sport, yes, on the ball, not as Vinny Jones Presumed, balls....and to presume that rugby supporters are all middle class....forget Will Carling, try Burke....League not Union And anyway, the fines that are dished out in no way reflect the ability to pay or the crime....a bit like corporate crimes then! Philby

Posted By Robert (Rod) Douglas Assault in the workplace is a job for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) or as it is fondly known the Can't Prosecute Service. I bid you farewell. Aye, Rod

Posted By Nick Higginson Simon I have expressed my opinions - the football field and the factory/office/kitchen are entirely different places and cannot be (and are not) subject to the same rules. Probably better if I withdraw from the debate before I offend someone. Kind regards Nick

Posted By Darren Bates Gents, Could you imagine if a footy player took his manager to task because of verbal abuse?? Imagine the media speculation and the humiliation that player would suffer. He would never work in his trade again. It will never happen, so why even bring it up. H&S gone mad......AGAIN!!!!

Posted By Robert Weiland I find it strange that on a Football match the crowd can often be heard shouting and making various remarks, which could be classed as offensive. The whole world seems to revolve around Football and we shouldn't interfere. How long will it be before some goes to far I can recall several instances where Referee's have been pushed only slightly Paulo Di Cano but recently a Hearts player in Scotland pushed a linesman. It doesn't matter if your paid £5 a hour or £5,000 you don't cross the line and intimidate other employees. They may not be within the same company but they are and should be respectful. The scary thing is and this is a side note I suppose, what did the media do when Eric Cantona flying kicked that guy 10 years ago we make him a anti hero. I find it strange one paper will condemn an action and others will glorify but then again that's something which I don't think we'll ever solve. I can understand the harsh responses given by some people. If your a Football fan these people are gods and should not be touched, they inspire and give people that little hope of success via a 90 minute match once a week. Overall I agree, the rules are there and people should be given tougher fines for stepping over the line.

Posted By Nick Higginson Jonathon Fair point. I'll be happy to bow down to superior knowledge when details are provided of a LA succesfully prosecuting a club or officials association for not assessing the risk of violence to their staff and putting in place suitable controls. I won't hold my breath though................ Regards Nick

Posted By J Knight Can I just say that football bores me silly? No? Sorry, John