Taking a Stand Against Football Violence: Professionals Ain't Setting a Good Example
"Bad Role Model Displayed by Experts"
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Amateur football referees are regularly confronted with violence - from verbal abuse to physical attacks. The German Football Association (DFB) is attempting to aid officials with various measures and projects. However, obstacles persist, and the Bundesliga bears some responsibility.
On the pitch, they stand alone and must make pivotal decisions in a flash - which can lead to heated exchanges. Sadly, incidents of violence are increasingly common in amateur football, with referees often subjected to insults, threats, or even physical attacks from players, coaches, or spectators. To minimize violence, the DFB introduced two new concepts last season. However, execution proves challenging, and the core issue delves deeper.
Criminologist Thaya Vester, who studies football violence at the University of Tübingen, attributes these situations to “higher base aggression or a quicker trigger,” she notes. "Football isn't an isolated part of society." The potential for violence is always present within football.
Football's Not a Battlefield - Right?
The DFB has introduced measures combating violence for years. Since the 2024/25 season, the "captain regulation" has been enforced, allowing only captains to discuss with referees. Its first application was at the 2024 home European Championship, which yielded positive feedback, leading to its implementation across all leagues. The "DFB-STOPP concept" is another novelty in amateur football; it grants referees a break in heated situations. Signaling this break with a hand gesture, teams must retreat to their respective penalty areas until tensions subside. "In theory, these are two fantastic measures," says Vester, but execution proves more difficult than anticipated.
For her study, Vester surveyed thousands of referees from the Württemberg Football Association during the winter break regarding the implementation of DFB concepts. Overall, amateur leagues view the concepts positively; however, referees report that “teams are not well-informed about the concepts,” Vester explains. Clear, timely communication is essential to enable referees to respond quickly and defuse conflicts effectively.
The Bundesliga: A Horrible Example
While the captain rule has gained more prominence due to its implementation in the 2024 European Championship, its execution remains problematic. Captains now feel they have the “right to complain and comment incessantly,” says Vester. Meanwhile, other players believe they "shouldn't speak to the referee at all."
The German football rule: The DFB has banned ten out of eleven players from complaining. The Bundesliga plays a significant role in this, as “the professional sector is a truly awful example,” Vester says. "In the Bundesliga, everyone runs to the referee again." The rule is ignored there, impacting actors in amateur football. The outcome: Groups of players still gather around the referee, often invading the referee's personal space.
Knowledge is Power - Just Ask the Referee
The core issue lies deeper: A greater understanding of the rules by all parties is crucial. Fans shouting, players complaining are common sights at amateur games, but is the referee always wrong? Vester suggests seminars and further training for captains or leading players - or the provision of a football rulebook.
Many decisions impact the game, placing referees under immense pressure. Despite this, every referee embraces the challenge with enthusiasm: "They do it because it's so demanding. One must be mentally sharp," Vester states. "For every referee, it's an incredible life lesson. One develops a stronger personality."
Football cannot function without referees. Fortunately, the numerous measures implemented by the DFB to prevent violence are gradually showing results. Incidents of violence and abandoned games decreased in the 2023/24 season compared to the previous year. The current trend with the new concepts follows a similar direction. The DFB reported in 2024 that there were more referees than ever before, with an increase of 6.6% from 2022 to 2023, amounting to nearly 60,000. To create a safe atmosphere, the responsibility doesn't solely rest with the referee - but with everyone who participates in the game.
Source: ntv.de
- Football
- Referees
- Violence
- DFB
Supplementary Info:
Through comprehensive training programs, education for players and spectators, collaboration with stakeholders, rule awareness and enforcement, technology, and incentivizing good behavior, violence against referees in German amateur football could be effectively minimized. By improving the understanding and respect for the rules among all parties, the likelihood of violence decreases.
Community policies should address the issue of football violence, providing education and training for players, coaches, and spectators to foster greater understanding and respect for referees and the rules. Employment policies within the football sector, particularly in the Bundesliga, should also promote positive examples and adherence to the rules, as they are currently setting a poor precedent. The DFB's efforts to combat football violence through measures like the captain regulation and the DFB-STOPP concept have shown promising results, but better communication and implementation are needed to ensure their success in reducing incidents of violence in amateur football.
