What happens if a parent breaks the Respect code?
Rule- England
- England Football
- Mini-soccer
- Under 7
- Under 8
- 3v3
- 5v5
- FutureFit
- 2026/27
- Parents
Under The FA's Respect Code of Conduct for spectators, any or all of these can be done by the club, County FA or The FA. A parent or spectator may be:
- given a verbal warning by a club or league official
- required to meet the club, league or County FA Welfare Officer
- required to meet the club committee
- made to complete an FA education course
- made to leave the match venue by the club
- asked by the club not to attend future games
- suspended, or have their club membership removed.
The club can be punished too. FA Rule E21 makes every club responsible for making sure its spectators and supporters (home or away) don't behave in an improper, offensive, violent, threatening, abusive, insulting or provocative way, throw objects or come onto the pitch. The FA or County FA can fine and/or suspend the club.
Any physical assault on a referee or assistant referee will result in a lengthy or permanent exclusion from football and possibly a criminal prosecution.
Added 21 Oct 2026