The #RespectFootballers campaign is carried out by the football players of the 2nd Division to raise awareness towards the responsible bodies (Government, FA, Sports Ministry). The players are asking for help to the Clubs and the stadiums where they play, in order to protect their health and upgrade football in general.
In the midst of high temperatures and due to the lack of adequate lighting in many stadiums, they are forced to compete in extreme temperature in accordance with the Code for Thermal Stress of Employees of the Ministry of Labour.
There have already been five incidents of footballers collapsing and needing medical attention due to heat stroke during matches the previous days!
Also, in defiance of the Health Protocol for the pandemic, established by the authorities (Government, FA) for all football divisions, the same authorities asked the players and teams of 2nd Division to start playing without going through a coronavirus test, whilst playing in stadiums that did not meet the legal standards in the locker rooms according to the protocol.
The female players of the 1st Division decided to support and participate in the specific campaign since they face the same problems. For example, in a game the players could not use the locker rooms nor were there any temporary (tents), so some female players were forced to change outdoors!
PASP states that all employees should have the same rights and stands by its members in support of the campaign and calls on all relevant bodies to take the necessary measures to protect the health of footballers.
