Footballers Advised Against Using Terms Like ‘Come on Lads’ or ‘Linesman’

Footballers have been ordered not to say the phrases ‘come on lads’ or ‘linesman’ as they could be deemed offensive. 

Instead, players will have to replace these quintessential sayings for the more inclusive ‘come on team’ and ‘assistant referee’.

The Berks and Bucks FA, which oversees football in two southeastern UK counties, has released an Inclusive Language Guide aimed at fostering ‘a more welcoming environment’.

Terms that could potentially offend include ‘ladies and gentlemen’, which is now replaced by ‘hi all’, and ‘mother’, which should be substituted with ‘parent/carer’.

The phrase ‘Bring your wife’ is deemed outdated and should be replaced with ‘bring your partner’, and ‘everyone’ is the suggested alternative to the outdated ‘guys’ in team discussions.

The guide highlights: ‘Our goal is to ensure football is inclusive for everyone. We aim for players, referees, coaches, parents, and volunteers to feel comfortable, appreciated, and respected, regardless of their background or identity.’

‘One of the simplest but most powerful ways we can do this is through the language we use. 

‘Language sets the tone. It shows whether someone belongs or feels excluded, whether they stay in the game or walk away.’ 

Footballers have been ordered not to say the phrases ‘come on lads’ or ‘linesman’ as they could be deemed offensive (Stock Photo)

The 26-page document also states the dangers of using footballing lingo now deemed old-fashioned.

It notes that certain expressions might ‘make people feel unwelcome or insecure’, ‘exclude participants from engaging’, and ‘compromise the inclusive environment we aim to foster’.

Expressions related to age, like ‘you’re just a kid’, and terms perceived as referencing disability, such as ‘that’s insane’, are also being removed.

Using nationality or ethnicity to describe players and officials is strongly discouraged under the regional FA’s guide, with staff urged to find another distinguishing factor, for example the colour of their boots, instead.

In a ‘football tips’ section, the documents orders people to ‘avoid sarcasm and sensory overload’ to avoid causing offence.

And if someone slips up in their use of language, they must ‘acknowledge it’, ‘apologise’ and ‘learn and adapt’, with the phrase, ‘thanks for the feedback – I’ll do better next time’, the suggested parlance after an error.

Those who overhear a linguistic mistake, meanwhile, are to report it to the Club Welfare Officer, or Berks and Bucks FA directly.

The guide is aimed towards all ‘players, referees, coaches, parents, volunteers… and everyone across the grassroots’ across the 600 clubs and 34,000 players the body represents in the vast area.

Sir John Hayes, chairman of the Common Sense group of Conservative MPs, told The Telegraph: ‘At best, this is daft. At worst this is sinister. 

‘The distortion of language has been the business of tyrants throughout time, and I’m not sure the Football Association would want to be associated with tyranny. And so the idea that you can instruct people not to use a phrase in common usage is deeply worrying.

‘So my message to young, current and aspiring footballers is come on lads.’

Callum Salhotra, Community & Inclusion Manager, Berks and Bucks FA, said; ‘Football has the power to unite communities and change lives. But for that to happen, everyone must feel like they belong. 

‘Language is at the heart of that — it can break down barriers or build them up. This guide will help us all take simple but meaningful steps to ensure our game is inclusive, respectful, and welcoming to everyone.’ 

The Daily Mail has approached Berks and Bucks FA for comment.