MIKE Riley admits the IFA’s new slogan made absolutely no sense to him at all – but the former English refereeing chief fully backs it now.
The ‘Catch Yourself On’ campaign is aimed at tackling abusive behaviour towards match officials in football in Northern Ireland.
Riley, from Leeds, who was recently appointed as the Irish Football Association’s new Head of Refereeing, said the phrase perplexed him initially:
“When I first heard it, I didn’t understand it at all. When it was explained to me, and I’ve heard people say it, it’s a fantastic expression.
“It’s a great way of making people relate to what we’re trying to do. It’s an expression that resonates with everyone here, and hopefully it will make them stop and think, and go, ‘Actually, let’s just respect referees, let’s just stick to the boundaries that are appropriate’.”
‘Catch Yourself On’ also aims to boost referee retention and recruitment of match officials at all levels of the game.
The campaign will include increased sanctions as well as educational interventions through close collaboration with the Irish FA Foundation.
Riley has already held a positive meeting with Irish League managers, and was encouraged by their expressed desire to co-operate.
Clubs will also be asked to nominate a new Match Official Liaison Officer (MOLO) who will act as a single point of contact for support and assistance to appointed match officials at games, with a pilot programme to be rolled out in 2024.
Read More :
- Mike Riley appointed IFA's head of refereeing
- Kenny Archer: Long past time to stop time-wasting - for the fans, despite players' moans
- IFA members vote to reject Sunday football proposal put forward by NIFL
'Catch Yourself On’ will encourage players, coaches, club officials and supporters, as well as parents, to think about their behaviour towards referees to eradicate abuse and protect the safety and wellbeing of match officials.
The 58-year-old Riley, formerly in charge of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited, the controlling body for English referees, said: "A football match should be a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone, including players, fans and all match officials.
"When you listen to some of the stories and experiences from referees and officials, you hear about the physical and mental impact this abusive behaviour is having on them and their families.
The IFA has filmed a short video to accompany the campaign, including the awful experiences of Maria Creaney, Halle O’Brien, and Ben McMaster.
Hospital administrator Maria gave up refereeing for a time after being subjected to vile and unacceptable verbal abuse and threats from a football coach, while Halle – aged just 16 - has experienced several instances of anti-social behaviour while officiating grassroots football, including intimidation by players, coaches, and parents. McMaster has received online abuse and threats.
With more female referees being sought, Riley commented: “It’s really powerful to see two fantastic role models for women who are aspiring to be referees – and at the same time, two great role models for ANYONE who is aspiring to be a referee.
“Both Maria and Halle have been in situations that they should never have had to face – being physically abused just because they blew a whistle.
“Thankfully both have come through it, with the support of the refereeing family, saying, ‘No, I’m not going to let that put me off’.”
The Irish FA hopes ‘Catch Yourself On’ will kick off a much broader conversation around inappropriate and hostile behaviour at games and generate widespread awareness of the issue and its impact on match officials and the local game.
Irish FA President Conrad Kirkwood said: “This important initiative reinforces our support for the wellbeing of our match officials.
“Yes, it is an awareness campaign, but it’s also an attempt to influence a more positive culture in football and eliminate unacceptable conduct.
“We are football’s governing body in Northern Ireland and, as such, this is bespoke to our footballing community, with whom I feel we can make a real difference."
Riley concluded: "Catch Yourself On serves as a call to action and highlights that we all have an important and valuable role to play in promoting positive behaviour in football, and that incidents of abuse directed towards match officials will not be tolerated.
“By addressing this issue and making the game a more welcoming and inclusive environment for our match officials, we will attract and retain the very best referees, helping to ensure the game is officiated to the highest possible standards.”
For more information on the Irish FA’s ‘Catch Yourself On’ campaign visit: www.irishfa/CYO
