Football: amateur clubs are fighting back against incivility and violent behavior

Stéphane Mazel (à gauche), le co-président du CCFC, et les dirigeants castelcressois, ont décidé de ne plus se laisser faire. Club

Comme d’autres clubs, le Castelnau le Crès FC (Hérault) a décidé d’agir contre les incivilités.

Stéphane Mazel, the club indicated in a press release, published at the beginning of the month, that « any insult and/or threat (…) will result in immediate removal as well as the filing of a complaint. Why this initiative ?

Like many amateur clubs, we are subject to unacceptable behavior from certain parents. This involves insults and even threats, sometimes very early on, since we already had these situations in U6. In recent months alone, we must have encountered these kinds of problems at least five or six times. This is what pushed us to publish this press release and warn everyone. The idea is that each time such incidents occur, regardless of the level or age of the player, he will be excluded from the club without being refunded the price of his Licence. And if there is a threat, a complaint will be filed. We will also ask parents to sign our charter when registering their child. I'm not saying this will solve all the problems and I don't want to come across as a leader through this approach. But what we wanted with the leaders is simply to provide a framework which, in my opinion, is common sense. When a parent attacks a teacher at school, their child is excluded. I want it to be the same in football.

Did the educators, who are the main victims of these acts, appreciate this approach ?

Yes, I believe it. They want to feel protected, which is the least they can do. We have also had a lot of positive feedback from parents, the vast majority of whom have impeccable behavior. Dialogue and exchange must always be the priority. The club and our educators can make mistakes, no one is infallible. But in this case, let's talk together and look for solutions. I cannot accept that an educator or leader is insulted, threatened or even beaten.

Have these problems gotten worse in recent months ?

Yes, I have the feeling that we have gone up a notch in aggression. I have been at the club for twelve or thirteen years now, we have always had problems with certain parents. But there, a milestone has been reached in the degree of violence. But I also believe that it reflects the image of society. Before, we could argue, whereas now, we insult each other and immediately come to blows. With this new rule, we have decided to announce the color. We say stop all this violent behavior, we no longer want to worry about these issues. Football must remain a game and a leisure activity, it is essential that everyone keeps this in mind.

Arnaud Dalla-Pria: “I am fully behind our clubs”

If football authorities cannot directly influence and act against an unlicensed parent, they have decided to do so. to support these actions of amateur clubs. À the image of the president of the League of Occitanie, for whom these initiatives are an excellent response to these behaviors. « It’s a very good thing that the clubs are reacting, I am at it; behind them, assumes Arnaud Dalla-Pria. Today, we know that some of the incivility that We meet in the amateur world comes from some parents, who think they have a Mbappé as a child and are no longer reluctant to do so. complaining, insulting and even hitting in the most serious cases. The companyé This is how many people get angry and some parents no longer stay at home. their place, whether at school or association level. And very often, clubs and educators find themselves at a loss. to be the first victims of this behavior. Knowing that in the end, it is often the child who finds himself penalized; by the fault of the parents. So yes, I fully support this approach by the clubs. »

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