The Football Association
Good Practice Guide

A 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 the 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 of 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 a 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 with all 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 concept of ethics is their attitude directly affects the behaviour of players under their supervision. Coaches are, therefore, expected to pay particular care to moral aspect of 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-costs” 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 FA 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 base 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 outset, clarify with players (and 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, sport scientists, doctors, and physiotherapists) in the best interest 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.

Obligation 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 their best possible performance during a game, even if his/her team is in a position where desired result has already been achieved.

3. Set a positive example for others, particularly young players and supports.

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 his/her own team win.

2. Resist any influence which might, of might be seen to bring into question his/her commitment to the team winning

Respect 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 a Match Official.

Respect towards Team Officials

A player should:

1. Abide by the instructions of their Coach and Team Officials, provided the do not contradict the spirit of this code.

2. Shoe due respect towards the Team Officials of the opposition.

Obligations towards the supporter

A player should:

1. Show due respect to the interests of supporters

Code of Conduct for Team Officials

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 his 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 to use or tolerate inappropriate language.

Obligations towards the team

The team official should:

1. Make every effort to develop the sporting, technical and tactical level 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:

1. Show due respect for the interests of the supporters

Respect towards Match Officials

The team official should:

1. Accept the decisions of the Match official without protest.

2. Avoid words or actions, which may mislead match Officials.

3. Show due respect towards Match officials

Code of Conduct for Parents / Spectators

Parents / Spectators have a great influence on children’s enjoyment and success in football. All children play football because they first and foremost love the game – it’s fun. It is important too remember that however good a child becomes at football within your club it is important to reinforce the message to parents / spectators that positive encouragement will contribute to:

• Children enjoying football.

• A sense of personal achievement.

• Self-esteem.

• Improving the child’s skills and techniques

A parents / Spectators expectations and attitudes have a significant bearing on a child’s attitude towards:

• Other players

• Officials

• Managers / Coaches

• Spectators

Ensure that parents / spectators within your club are always positive and encouraging towards all the children not just their own.

Encourage parents / spectators to:

• Applaud the opposition as well as your own team.

• Avoid coaching the child during the game.

• Not to shout and scream.

• Respect the referee’s decision.

• Give attention to each of the children involved in football not just the most talented.

• Give encouragement to everyone to participate in football.

Ensure that parents / spectators within the club agree and adhere to your club’s code of conduct and Child Protection Policy.

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