The Football Association today hailed the success of their Respect programme after revealing bookings for dissent in the Barclays Premier League fell by almost a quarter last season.
Cautions for the offence were down by 23% in 2009-10 compared to the previous campaign, while they plummeted 31% in the npower Championship.
The reductions were part of a 9% fall across the top four divisions and a 3.3% decrease in the national game as a whole.
In all, 10 of the 16 senior leagues saw fewer dissent cautions last season than in 2008-09.
Misconduct charges fell by 3.2% and there was a 2% drop in dismissals in 2009-10 compared to the previous season.
The FA set up the Respect programme two years ago a bid to improve the treatment of officials by players and coaches.
The FA said in a statement: "The latest Respect figures yet again shown the positive effect it is having on the game in England, with the domestic professional game leading the way in improving behaviour on the pitch."
There was also a reduction in reports of referees being assaulted at the grassroots level of the game, which the FA put down to the 'Are You Losing It?' campaign.
In 2008-09, they received 534 such reports, which were down to 466 last season, a 13% decrease.
Year three of the Respect programme will focus on an ongoing zero tolerance policy towards assaults on referees.
The reductions were part of a 9% fall across the top four divisions and a 3.3% decrease in the national game as a whole.
In all, 10 of the 16 senior leagues saw fewer dissent cautions last season than in 2008-09.
Misconduct charges fell by 3.2% and there was a 2% drop in dismissals in 2009-10 compared to the previous season.
The FA set up the Respect programme two years ago a bid to improve the treatment of officials by players and coaches.
The FA said in a statement: "The latest Respect figures yet again shown the positive effect it is having on the game in England, with the domestic professional game leading the way in improving behaviour on the pitch."
There was also a reduction in reports of referees being assaulted at the grassroots level of the game, which the FA put down to the 'Are You Losing It?' campaign.
In 2008-09, they received 534 such reports, which were down to 466 last season, a 13% decrease.
Year three of the Respect programme will focus on an ongoing zero tolerance policy towards assaults on referees.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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