This must stop! FIFA.........change the rules and make RESPECT towards officials mean something!

The Issue: The World Cup was incredible, but for one aspect........despite FIFA's continued campaign of the importance of respecting officials, time and time again we saw officials being berated, sworn at, surrounded, with no consequence. This filters down to youngsters who see this and copy it............the same process has been going on for generations.........FIFA, it is time to actually do something about it!

The Solution: Follow the excellent example set by our rugby cousins; 1) ONLY the captain can speak to the referee. 2) ANY backchat receives an instant negative consequence- yellow card (and a potential sin bin). 3) Swearing at the referee is an INSTANT red-card offence.

The Probable Consequence: If this was to be introduced, lots of players would suffer many negative consequences in the first few months as they are so used to the current culture of zero respect towards officials...... BUT, over time if it were implemented thoroughly, players would adapt, respect would improve, and this would filter down to the next generation, and the next and so on.

Why has this not been done already??