Respect for officials is something that is lacking in the current game. When you look at sports like cricket, golf and rugby you can see the total respect the players have for the officials and this leads to a much more enjoyable atmosphere for everyone. So why is it so obviously missing in football?

The answer that springs to mind is that respect is earned, not given, but I think that’s too a weak an argument for the ongoing problems we have in the sport. You don’t have to respect the person to respect their position and I also think that if players had more respect for themselves, their fans and the game in general, that their behavior would improve.

Yesterday, the FA launched it’s new “Respect Campaign” this campaign has been signed by all the premiership club managers as well as the club captains. I saw a report on it on Sky News last night but for some reason it doesn’t seem to be on the net this morning? Basically the refs are going to talk to the team captains more - like in rugby - they will tell the captain to talk to a player who is fouling a lot, for example, and tell them that if the player does it again he’ll be booked. I have to say I thought it was a great idea and hope it takes off when the season starts on Saturday.

One thing though - will the FA do their part and be fairer? If you look at Jeremie Aliadiere’s red card against Liverpool last season - it was a disgrace. He never should have been sent off but we understand that refs make mistakes and so Middlesbrough appealed. What happened? Was it overturned as everyone thought it should? No! He got and extra match ban for wasting the FA’s time - disgraceful.

In my mind respect is a two way street and for the sake of the game I hope both sides take it on board.