'ONLY THE CAPTAIN' PROTOCOL

August 12, 2025

As part of the recent changes to the Laws of the Game (2025/26) approved by IFAB in March, the “Only the Captain” protocol will be applied across all competitions in England starting from the new season.


Purpose and Rationale


The protocol is designed to strengthen respect between players and referees by formalising that only the team captain may approach the referee to discuss key decisions. The aim is to reduce incidents of mobbing, dissent, and intimidation of match officials — improving the environment for everyone involved in the game.


Key Points


  • Normal, respectful interactions with referees are still permitted; however, dissent (by word or action) remains a yellow card offence — even for captains.
  • Only the captain from each team is allowed to approach the referee on major decisions.
  • Captains are responsible for ensuring teammates stay away from the referee during these moments.
  • Referees may delay the restart to allow captains to communicate messages back to their teams if necessary.

 

Additional Details

 

  • If the goalkeeper is the team captain, an outfield player must be nominated to fulfil this role for referee interactions.
  • A “captain-only zone” of 4 metres will be established around the referee; no other players are permitted within this area.
  • Any non-captain entering this zone should be cautioned for dissent by action. If multiple players enter, at least one must be cautioned, and the incident will be reported to the relevant authorities.
  • Competition organisers are encouraged to introduce sanctions for repeated breaches across the season.


National Implementation


This protocol will be implemented consistently across:

  • All professional competitions
  • The National League Pyramids
  • County FA-administered football

Our approach is to create alignment and consistency from the top tiers to grassroots, improving behaviour towards match officials at every level.


Education and Communication


We are currently rolling out education for referees, County FAs, Referee Development Officers, and other stakeholders to ensure clear understanding and consistent application.


Clarification for Youth, Veterans, Disability, and Grassroots Levels


Although IFAB have included an arm signal to initiate the protocol at these levels, in England we will not adopt this. Referees will manage the protocol themselves, using their existing match management skills.


If you have any questions or would like to discuss the details further, please don’t hesitate to get in touch through refereedevelopment@thefa.com


Article Photo: Ian Grainger

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