YOUNG PLAYERS

It is important everyone behaves themselves when playing football.

As a player, you have a big part to play. That's why The FA is asking every player to follow a Respect Code of Conduct.

When playing football, I will:

• Always do my best, even if we're losing or the other team is stronger
  
• Play fairly - I won't cheat, complain or waste time
  
• Never be rude to my team-mates, the other team, the referee, spectators or my coach/team manager
  
• Do what the referee tells me
  
• Shake hands with the other team and referee at the end of the game
  
• Listen to my coach/team manager and respect what he/she says
  
• Talk to someone I trust, for example my parents or the club welfare officer if I'm unhappy about anything at my club.
  

I understand that if I do not follow the code, action may be taken.

TheFA.com/Respect

SPECTATORS

We all have a responsibility to promote high standards of behaviour in the game.

This club is supporting The FA's Respect programme to ensure football can be enjoyed by everyone in a safe and positive environment.

Play your part and observe The FA's Respect Code of Conduct for spectators and parents/carers at all times.

I will:

• Remain outside the field of play and behind the Designated Spectator Area (where provided)
• Never engage in, or tolerate, offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour
• Always respect the match officials' decisions
• Applaud effort and good play as well as success
  
  In addition, when attending youth games I will:
• Remember that children play for FUN
• Let the coaches do their job and not confuse the players by telling them what to do
• Encourage the players to respect the opposition and match officials
• Never criticise a player for making a mistake -mistakes are part of learning
  
  I understand that breaches of the code may result in action being taken by my County FA and /or The FA.

TheFA.com/Respect

COACHES AND MANAGERS

We all have a responsibility to promote high standards of behaviour in the game.

In The FA's survey of over 37,000 grassroots participants, behaviour was the biggest concern in the game. This included both the abuse of match officials and the unacceptable behaviour by over competitive parents, spectators and coaches on the sidelines.

The FA's Respect programme is aimed at tackling unacceptable behaviour across the whole game.

Play your part and observe The FA's Respect Code of Conduct for coaches, team managers and club officials at all times.

I will:

• Show respect to others involved in the game including match officials, opposition players, coaches, managers, officials and spectators
• Adhere to the Laws of the Game
• Display and promote high standards of behaviour
  Always respect the match officials' decisions
• Never enter the field of play without the referee's permission
  Never engage in public criticism of the match officials
• Never engage in, or tolerate, offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour.
  

When working with players, I will:

• Place the well-being, safety and enjoyment of each player above everything, including winning
• Explain exactly what I expect of players and what they can expect from me
• Ensure the parents/carers of all players under the age of 18 understand these expectations
• Refrain from, and refuse to tolerate any form of bullying
• Develop mutual trust and respect with every player to build their self-esteem
• Encourage each player to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance
• Ensure all activities I organise are appropriate for the players' ability level, experience, age and maturity
• Co-operate fully with others in football (e.g. officials, doctors, physiotherapists, welfare officers) for each player's best interests
  
  

I understand that breaches of the code may result in action being taken by my County FA and /or The FA.

TheFA.com/Respect

MATCH OFFICIALS

We all have a responsibility to promote high standards of behaviour in the game.

The behaviour of the match officials has an impact, directly and indirectly, on the conduct of everyone involved in the game - both on the pitch and on the sidelines.

Play your part and observe The FA's Respect Code of Conduct for Match Officials at all time.

When officiating I will:

• Be honest and completely impartial at all times, irrespective of the teams, players or team officials involved in the match
• Apply the Laws of the Game and competition rules fairly and consistently
• Manage the game in a positive, calm and confident manner
• Deal with all instances of violence, aggression, unsporting behaviour, foul play and other misconduct
• Not tolerate offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour from players and officials
• Support my match official colleagues at all times
• Set a positive personal example by promoting good behaviour and showing respect to everyone involved in the game
• Communicate with the players and encourage fair play
• Respond in a clear, calm and confident manner to any appropriate request for clarification by the team captains
• Prepare physically and mentally for every match
• Complete and submit, accurate and concise reports within the time limit required for games which I officiate
  
  

I understand that breaches of the code may result in action being taken by my County FA and /or The FA.

TheFA.com/Respect

CODES OF CONDUCT IN ACTION

Never engage in, or tolerate, offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour.

"Surely some of the comments in football are just a bit of banter - something to wind up the players!"

There are many people who believe that abuse that happens on the pitch e.g. racist abuse is just 'banter' or 'winding up' and is an acceptable part of football. We don't want to stop the humour that can exist in some banter (football is about having fun after all!), but we do want to stop the nasty offensive, insulting and abusive language and behaviour that exists in all areas of the game.

How can I deal with inappropriate language or behaviour?

There are a few options open to you and the route you pursue depends on your role in football, how confident and skilled you are at dealing with the issue and negotiating conflict and the circumstances in which the incident occurred.

• Challenge the individual directly
• Report it to the Referee
• Use your Club's Equality Policy and Complaints Procedure
• Report the incident to the County FA or The FA
• Report the incident to the Police

CHALLENGE THE INDIVIDUAL DIRECTLY

Don't engage in it or tolerate it!

One of the important things about inappropriate language or behaviour is the need to challenge it, non-action is not an option as this allows people to continue with their behaviour unchallenged and it may even get worse.

Everyone involved in football has a right to challenge inappropriate behaviour or language within the football environment and have it effectively dealt with.

So why don't more people challenge it?

• It's uncomfortable
• Fear of repercussions
• It's easier to avoid it
• Denial that there is an issue to deal with
• It's someone else's problem
• They feel intimidated

Remaining silent or doing nothing contributes to the behaviour continuing and can be a form of collusion which is co-operation with others, knowingly or unknowingly, which may reinforce stereotypical attitudes.

There are three forms of collusion - silence, denial and active cooperation.

Silence is the most common form. By saying nothing when people tell jokes, exclude others or demonstrate inappropriate behaviours, we reinforce the status quo.

Denial sounds like a passive form of collusion but it is actually the active stance that "nothing is wrong here - there's no problem with the language or behaviour in our club".

Active cooperation can be very subtle. Laughing at inappropriate jokes or banter is active cooperation. Agreeing that "so-and-so just got promoted because they fill a quota" is active cooperation.

As people involved in football you all have a responsibility to challenge offensive, insulting or abusive behaviour or language.

For example:

• A club official or manager may object in their official capacity to a homophobic remark directly with the person who made it
• A committee member may directly challenge another committee member for mimicking disabled people
• Individuals can challenge inappropriate remarks and behaviour informally amongst the team, club or organisation members

Challenging behaviour directly with the person or people responsible can be a daunting experience. It is even more daunting if the person you are challenging is in a senior or powerful position, or part of a dominant group which denies the behaviour is inappropriate or colludes in it. However, as with all potential abuse situations, taking action to stop the behaviour escalating is crucial.

• Take a deep breath, be aware of your emotions
• Talk to someone about your intentions to challenge
• Focus on the behaviour that is causing a problem, not on the person as the problem, e.g. 'I find your language offensive and racist' rather than 'You are racist'
• State what you would like to see change and how
• Share what action will be taken if behaviour persists
• Confirm what has been discussed and agreed
• Record all the detail
• If it continues, follow up at County FA or with The FA

There are circumstances where taking the matter up directly is either against the rules - e.g. as a player on the pitch, or where there is a risk of confrontation, or you do not feel capable of handling the situation.

Not taking action is still collusion and there are clear channels for you to report the behaviour to the appropriate authority and you should do so.

REPORT IT TO THE REFEREE

The Referee has a vey important role to play in dealing with offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour during a match and clear guidance has been given to referees as to how they should manage these incidents when they hear or see them.

Offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour is covered under Law 12 - Sending Off Offences - S6 and their duty is to enforce the Laws of the Game. They are further advised that tensions may be running high after dealing with an incident such as racist abuse and extra vigilance may be required so that retaliation does not occur. In addition they are aware that spectators could also be agitated after such an offence with their anger causing potential problems on the field of play.

If they witness offensive, insulting or abusive incidents and send off a player they will follow this up by making a full report which is sent to the County Football Association who will follow up with the appropriate sanctions on the player which may involve a fine and/or match bans.

There will be times during a match when the Referee may not witness the offensive, insulting or abusive behaviour (it may be too far away or the players may be behind the Referee). However, you may have seen or heard the abuse. You can still inform the Referee and he or she can include it in their report. but you are also strongly advised to report it to the County Football Association or The FA yourself. Referees are advised to do the following if an incident they have not witnessed is reported to them:

• Treat the concern sympathetically
• Advise the complainant to report the full facts to the County FA (using the FA hotline)
• Prepare a report of the events as told to the Referee and their actions
• Submit the report if requested to do so by the County FA