Social Media
Roger Allen • October 29, 2021
The Football Association has been engaging with social media organisations for a number of years to try and address the issues of online abuse and discrimination. This impacts all parts of football from players to administrators, from referees to coaches/managers and is not isolated to any one part of the football pyramid. Sadly, this is an issue that impacts many of those in our game and we are committed to continuing to use our voice and influence to address this problem.
We recognise that a multi-pronged approach is needed and we are doing everything that we can to ensure that social media organisations are effectively protecting all users. We are also simultaneously working with government to ensure that relevant and effective legislation is enacted quickly to hold social media organisations to account. Through our discussions with social media platforms, they are sharing information on products and tools to address elements of the challenges we currently see online.
Social media platforms are a key mechanism of modern communication for many people and we know that they are great way to interact. However, just like in the offline world, there will always be those who try to abuse others online.
Instagram
Instagram has rolled out two new tools to protect people who may be subject to abuse, either in comments or Direct Messages (DMs). Activating these tools will help reduce the chances of seeing negative or hurtful comments and make the experience of using Instagram a more positive one.
The first tool is Hidden Words - when turned on, this will automatically filter offensive words, phrases and emojis, so they do not have to be viewed. This tool focuses on DM requests, because this is where people usually receive abusive messages. It will work in a similar way to the comment filters already on offer, which allow people to hide offensive comments and choose what terms they don’t want people to use in comments under posts they may. Both comment and DM request filters can be turned on and off in a new dedicated section of Privacy Settings called Hidden Words.
The second tool is Limits – designed to help protect people when they experience or anticipate a rush of abusive comments and DMs. It’s easy to turn on, and will automatically hide comments and DM requests from people who don’t follow an account, or who only recently followed an account. Instagram developed this feature because they heard that sometimes people experience sudden spikes of comments and DM requests from people they don’t know. In many cases this is an outpouring of support — like if they score a winning goal. But sometimes it can also mean an influx of unwanted comments or messages. In these instances, you can turn on Limits and avoid this type of interaction.
Twitter
Twitter has rolled out tools that we feel it’s important to make you aware of to help protect you online. Please see the two short videos below which guide you through the process of activating these tools on your Twitter profile.
We hope that these features help ensure your experience on social media platforms is a more positive one and that the football community can be brought together in the right way this season.
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Laverstock & Ford fly the Velocity Wessex League flag in the Emirates FA Cup, with the Bulldog's 2-1 win at Hythe & Dibden earning a local derby against Salisbury in the second round qualifying. Liam McConnell's side came from behind to advance - and equal the club's best ever season in the Cup - courtesy of strikes from Archie Lovegrove and Chae Sykes which cancelled out Ollie Davies free-kick for the hosts. LISTEN - HEAR LIAM MCCONNELL'S FA CUP REACTION ON THE WESSEX LEAGUE PODCAST
Hythe & Dibden will host Laverstock & Ford in an intriguing all-Wessex League tie, after the Premier Division rivals were drawn together in the FA Cup first round qualifying. It's a third home outing on the spin for Hythe, who have already dispatched fellow Wessex League sides Portland United and New Milton Town on their own patch to reach this stage for only the second time. Meanwhile the Bulldogs needed a replay and penalties to edge past Cowes Sports in the extra preliminary stage, before an impressive 2-0 victory on the road at former Wessex League champions, Horndean - now plying their trade in the Isthmian South Central. Laverstock have reached the first round qualifying in three of the last four seasons - and will be looking to emulate 2022/23 when they went one better, bowing out at the second round qualifying stage by a single goal at Taunton Town. AFC Stoneham are our third representative in the draw - they travel to Southern League Premier South side, Hungerford Town, following home victories over Fleet Town and Paulton Rovers (main picture). The Purps have also previously reached a club-best of the second round qualifying in each of the last two campaigns, with identical 1-7 defeats at higher-ranked Yeovil Town and Salisbury, respectively. Winners of the ties on August 30 will receive £2,250, with the losers netting £750. FA CUP - FIRST ROUND QUALIFYING - DRAW IN FULL Article Photo: Robin Caddy
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
The Emirates FA Cup made a welcome return to Velocity Wessex League club schedules on Saturday, however it proved to be a challenging afternoon for many, with four of our sides guaranteeing themselves a Preliminary Round place on August 16. Last season's Premier Division runners-up, AFC Stoneham, were looking to emulate last season's run to the Second Round Qualifying - with the Purps once again overcoming Fleet Town, 2-0 and booked another home date with Paulton Rovers next. FA CUP - FIXTURES & RESULTS (Wessex League only) Christchurch overcame returning Wessex side, Bemerton Heath Harlequins 3-0 at Hurn Bridge and will have home comforts once more in the Preliminary Round against Tadley Calleva, while in other all-Wessex affairs, New Milton Town came away from Andover New Street with a solitary goal to nil victory to set-up a meeting with Hythe & Dibden - themselves beating Portland United 3-1.
The Velocity Wessex League Charity Cup sees Premier Division winners, AFC Portchester, take on fellow cup finalists, Hamble Club at the OnSite Group Stadium on July 26 (3pm). CHARITY CUP - PROGRAMME DOWNLOAD This year proceeds from the curtain raising fixture will go to our charity partner, YoungMinds, who champion mental health and wellbeing amongst young people.
The Velocity Wessex League are delighted to announce YoungMinds as its official Charity Partner for the 2025/26 season. YoungMinds is the UK’s leading charity focusing on improving young people's mental health, in addition to raising awareness of mental health, suicide, self harm and social media abuse. Their mission is to see a world where no young person feels alone with their mental health, and all young people get the mental health support they need, when they need it, no matter what. Hundreds of thousands of young people are struggling with their mental health, but too many are being told to wait, struggling to cope and hitting a crisis point before they get help. But things can get better - with YoungMinds leading the movement for change, providing young people with the tools to look after their mental health while empowering adults to be the best support they can be to the young people in their lives.
