Reading Chronicle | Sport | Coppell backs FA crackdown

Saturday, 10th May, 2008

Published: Monday, 24th March, 2008 09:00

Coppell backs FA crackdown

By Anthony Smith

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But the Royals boss has voiced serious doubts that the initiative, announced by FA chairman Lord Triesman last week, will work.

The FA are ploughing £200 million into grassroots football, which includes a trial scheme at county level where only captains can talk to officials.

However, Coppell believes changes are drastically needed at the highest level and should begin with stronger punishments for Premier League superstars who step out of line.

“It has become the norm for people in football to abuse officials,” stated the vastly experienced Coppell.

“We see it happening all the time on the television and there is a clear lack of respect in many cases.

“The problem is that children see it and begin to copy it. It filters down and that can’t be good for the game.”

And Coppell also conceded that changing attitudes in the game is easier said than done.

There have been calls for football to follow rugby’s example where players are severely punished for showing disrespect towards match officials.

But Coppell, a keen rugby league fan, admitted: “It doesn’t matter what I think, it will never happen. But that doesn’t mean we stop trying to improve discipline.

“I wish it would change because the issue has major implications for the future of the game and football has a big role to play in society as a whole.”

Lord Triesman will chair a conference in London next month with representatives from the Premier League, the clubs and match officials. If all parties agree, the captain-only rule could be introduced next season.

“If a decision was made at the right level we would have a real opportunity to make a big difference and to make changes that would give officials more protection and more respect from players,” added Coppell.

“But I don’t think it will ever happen.”

However, Lord Triesman believes he has an “obligation” to tackle the problem of discipline head-on.

“It’s not a war but I like to feel we can persuade people to show proper regard for officials,” he said last week.

“It’s harder to get respect for referees at the grassroots if there isn’t respect for referees at the very senior level.”

Meanwhile, Glen Little could be available for the first time this season on Saturday to face Blackburn.

Failing that, the 32-year-old winger, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury, is almost certain to be in Coppell’s plans for the crucial trip to Newcastle the following week.

Left-back Nicky Shorey was left out of Fabio Capello’s second England squad for Wednesday's friendly against France in Paris.

It is the first time Shorey, 27, has missed out on the squad since being called up for the first time by former manager Steve McClaren in June last year, when he made his debut in the 1-1 draw with Brazil.

Youngster Jem Karacan has signed a one-month loan deal with League One side Millwall.

See this week’s Reading Chronicle for your chance to vote for Reading’s official Player of the Season and win a supply of beer for a year.

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