Codes of conduct
Code of Conduct for Football
Football is the national game. All those involved with the game
at every level and whether as a player, match official, coach,
owner or administrator, have a responsibility, above and beyond
compliance with the law, to act according to the highest standards
of integrity, and to ensure that the reputation of the game is,
and remains, high. This code applies to all those involved in
football under the auspices of The Football Association.
Community
Football, at all levels, is a vital part of a community. Football
will take into account community feeling when making decisions.
Equality
Football is opposed to discrimination of any form and will promote
measures to prevent it, in whatever form, from being expressed.
Participants
Football recognises the sense of ownership felt by those who
participate at all levels of the game. This includes those who
play, those who coach or help in any way, and those who officiate,
as well as administrators and supporters. Football is committed
to appropriate consultation.
Young People
Football acknowledges the extent of its influence over young
people and pledges to set a positive example.
Propriety
Football acknowledges that public confidence demands the highest
standards of financial and administrative behaviour within the
game, and will not tolerate corruption or improper practices.
Trust and Respect
Football will uphold a relationship of trust and respect between
all involved in the game, whether they are individuals, clubs
or other organisations.
Violence
Football rejects the use of violence of any nature by anyone
involved in the game.
Fairness
Football is committed to fairness in its dealings with all involved
in the game.
Integrity and Fair Play
Football is committed to the principle of playing to win consistent
with Fair Play.
Code of Conduct for Coaches
Coaches are key to the establishment of ethics in football. Their
concepts of ethics are their attitude that directly affects the
behaviour of players under their supervision. Coaches are, therefore,
expected to pay particular care to the moral aspect of their conduct.
Coaches have to be aware that almost all of their everyday decisions
and choices of actions, as well as strategic targets, have ethical
implications.
It is natural that winning constitutes a basic concern for coaches.
This code is not intended to conflict with that. However, the
code calls for coaches to disassociate themselves from a “win-at-all-costsâ€
attitude.
Increased responsibility is requested from coaches involved
in coaching young people. The health, safety, welfare and moral
education of young people are a first priority, before the achievement
or the reputation of the club, school, coach or parent.
Set out below is The F.A. Coaches Association Code of Conduct
(which reflects the standards expressed by the National Coaching
Foundation and the National Association of Sports Coaches) which
forms the benchmark for all involved in coaching:
1. Coaches must respect the rights, dignity and worth of each
and every person and treat each equally within the context of
the sport.
2. Coaches must place the well-being and safety of each player
above all other considerations, including the development of performance.
3. Coaches must adhere to all guidelines laid down by governing
bodies.
4. Coaches must develop an appropriate working relationship
with each player based on mutual trust and respect.
5. Coaches must not exert undue influence to obtain personal
benefit or reward.
6. Coaches must encourage and guide players to accept responsibility
for their own behaviour and performance.
7. Coaches must ensure that the activities they direct or advocate
are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability
of players.
8. Coaches should, at the outset, clarify with the players (and,
where appropriate, parent) exactly what is expected of them and
also what they are entitled to expect from their coach.
9. Coaches must co-operate fully with other specialists (e.g.
other coaches, officials, sports scientists, doctors, physiotherapists)
in the best interests of the player.
10. Coaches must always promote the positive aspects of the
sport (e.g. fair play) and never condone violations of the Laws
of the Game, behaviour contrary to the spirit of the Laws of the
Game or relevant rules and regulations or the use of prohibited
substances or techniques.
11. Coaches must consistently display high standards of behaviour
and appearance.
12. Coaches must not use or tolerate inappropriate language.
Code of Conduct for Players
Players are the most important people in the sport. Playing for
the team, and for the team to win, is the most fundamental part
of the game. But not winning at any cost –
Fair Play and respect for all others in the game is fundamentally
important.
This Code focuses on players involved in top-class football.
Nevertheless, the key concepts in the Code are valid for players
at all levels.
Obligations towards the game
A player should:
1. Make every effort to develop their own sporting abilities,
in terms of skill, technique, tactics and stamina.
2. Give maximum effort and strive for the best possible performance
during a game, even if their team is in a position where the desired
result has already been achieved.
3. Set a positive example for others, particularly young players
and supporters.
4. Avoid all forms of gamesmanship and time-wasting.
5. Always have regard for the best interests of the game, including
where publicly expressing an opinion on the game and any particular
aspect of it, including others involved in the game.
6. Not use inappropriate language.
Obligations towards one's own team
A player should:
1. Make every effort consistent with Fair Play and the Laws
of the Game to help their own team win.
2. Resist any influence which might, or might be seen to, bring
into question their commitment to the team winning.
Respect for the Laws of the Game and competition rules
A player should:
1. Know and abide by the Laws, rules and spirit of the game,
and the competition rules.
2. Accept success and failure, victory and defeat, equally.
3. Resist any temptation to take banned substances or use banned
techniques.
Respect towards Opponents
A player should:
1. Treat opponents with due respect at all times, irrespective
of the result of the game.
2. Safeguard the physical fitness of opponents, avoid violence
and rough play, and help injured opponents.
Respect towards the Match Officials
A player should:
1. Accept the decision of the Match Official without protest.
2. Avoid words or actions which may mislead a Match Official.
3. Show due respect towards Match Officials.
Respect towards Team Officials
A player should:
1. Abide by the instructions of their Coach and Team Officials,
provided they do not contradict the spirit of this Code.
2. Show due respect towards the Team Officials of the opposition.
Obligations towards the Supporters
A player should:
Show due respect to the interests of supporters.
Code of Conduct for Team Officials & Volunteers
This Code applies to all team / club officials (although some
items may not apply to all officials).
Obligations towards the Game
The team official should:
1. Set a positive example for others, particularly young players
and supporters.
2. Promote and develop their own team having regard to the interest
of the Players, Supporters and reputation of the national game.
3. Share knowledge and experience when invited to do so, taking
into account the interest of the body that has requested this
rather than personal interests.
4. Avoid all forms of gamesmanship.
5. Show due respect to Match Officials and others involved in
the game.
6. Always have regard for the best interests of the game, including
where publicly expressing an opinion of the game and any particular
aspect of it, including others involved in the game.
7. Not use or tolerate inappropriate language.
Obligations towards the Team
The team official should:
1. Make every effort to develop the sporting, technical and
tactical levels of the club/team, and to obtain the best results
for the team, using all permitted means.
2. Give priority to the interests of the team over individual
interests.
3. Resist all illegal or unsporting influences, including banned
substances and techniques.
4. Promote ethical principles.
5. Show due respect for the interests of the players, coaches
and officials, their own club/team and others.
Obligations towards the Supporters
The team official should:
Show due respect for the interests of supporters.
Respect towards the Match Officials
A team official should:
1. Accept the decisions of the Match Official without protest.
2. Avoid words or actions which may mislead a Match Official.
3. Show due respect towards Match Officials.
Code of Conduct for Spectators
Obligations towards the game
1. Show due respect to match officials and others involved in
the game.
2. Always have regard to the best interests of the game, including
where publicly expressing an opinion on the game and any particular
aspect of it, including others involved in the game.
3. Applaud the opposition as well as your own team
4. Not use inappropriate language.
Respect towards the Match Officials
Supporters should:
1. Respect the decision of the Match Official.
2. Avoid words or actions, which may mislead a Match Official. |