The FA's "Respect" campaign has caused much debate recently, with managers and players queuing up to voice their opinion about the performance of referees.
"Respect has to be earned," said Paul Jewell, the Derby manager. "I've spoken to managers who feel quite strongly about this and one or two are thinking of pulling out of [the Respect Campaign]."
As referees continue to go about their jobs without the assistance of video technology, they are bound to continue making mistakes. Refereeing has not become worse, it has just become harder.
The game is so much faster nowadays, within seconds the ball can go from one side of the pitch to the other. How are referees expected to keep up and see absolutely everything? And with cameras showing every angle of every incident, referees' mistakes will always be highlighted.
It is not surprising that when referees continue to make errors of judgement, players and managers are going to voice their opinions, in a sometimes less-than-respectful manner.
Interim Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear landed himself in hot water with the FA by describing Martin Atkinson as a "Mickey Mouse" referee, after being angered by a number of the referee's decisions in the 2-1 loss to Fulham last Sunday.
High-profile managers such as Sir Alex Ferguson, Paul Ince, and Roy Keane have all been charged with disobeying the Respect rules.
Until video technology is brought in, nothing is likely to change. If the FA wants respect for officials, they have a duty to ensure that as many decisions are correct as is possible.
Video replays on the goal line would be a good start, to avoid decisions such as awarding Reading a "ghost goal" against Watford.
It's not likely that they will be brought in any time soon, so in the mean time, perhaps when referees do make mistakes, they should hold their hands up.
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