Howard Webb believes the FA's Respect campaign is having a positive effect this season.
Webb praises recently criticised initiative
Referee Howard Webb believes the Football Association's Respect campaign is having a positive effect this season.
The Respect initiative was launched last summer across all levels of the game, with the FA setting out guidelines in an attempt to stamp out some of the unsavoury scenes that have become more commonplace in recent campaigns.
Initially, the system appeared to pay dividends, however dismissals and dissent from players and managers, have crept back into the game.
But Webb, widely regarded by many as England's best referee, has praised the scheme, insisting that it is working.
Passion
He said in the
Daily Mirror: "This year on the field the levels of respect from the players have been, by and large, really good.
"We haven't seen the surrounding of match officials in the same way we have in years gone by and the common open dissent doesn't seem to be there.
"But it is not just about referees clamping down and cutting out the passion because the passion is what makes football.
"We don't want to take the passion away - but just make sure there is a line people remember not to cross.
"If they do then it shows an uglier side of the game and people will emulate what they see at lower levels."
