Spectators and parents/carers

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 in a safe, positive environment.

Remember children’s football is a time for them to develop their technical, physical, tactical and social skills. Winning isn’t everything.

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

I will:

• Remember that children play for FUN.
• Applaud effort and good play as well as success
• Always respect the match officials’ decisions
• Remain outside the field of play and within the Designated Spectators’ Area (where provided)
• Let the coach do their job and not confuse the players by telling them what to do
• Encourage the players to respect the opposition, referee and match officials
• Avoid criticising a player for making a mistake – mistakes are part of learning
• Never engage in, or tolerate, offensive, insulting, or abusive language or behaviour

I understand that if I do not follow the Code, any/all of the following actions may be taken by my club, County FA, league or The FA:

I may be:

• Issued with a verbal warning from a club or league official
• Required to meet with the club, league or CFA Welfare Officer
• Required to meet with the club committee
• Obliged to undertake an FA education course
• Obliged to leave the match venue by the club
• Requested by the club not to attend future games
• Suspended or have my club membership removed
• Required to leave the club along with any dependents

In addition:

• The FA/County FA could impose a fine and/or suspension on the club

Coaches, Team Managers and Club Officials

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

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

Play your part and observe the Football Association’s Respect Code of Conduct in everything you do.

On and off the field, I will:

• Show respect to others involved in the game including match officials, opposition players, coaches, managers, officials and spectators
• Adhere to the laws and spirit of the game
• Promote Fair Play and high standards of behaviour
• Always respect the match official’s decision
• 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 all parents/carers of all players under the age of 18 understand these expectations
• Never engage in or 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, 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 if I do not follow the Code, any/all of the following actions may be taken
by my club, County FA, league or The FA:

• Required to meet with the club, league or County Welfare Officer
• Required to meet with the club committee
• Monitored by another club coach
• Required to attend a FA education course
• Suspended by the club from attending matches
• Suspended or fined by the County FA
• Required to leave or be sacked by the club

In addition:

• My FACA (FA Coaches Association) membership may be withdrawn

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 of match officials at all time.

I will:

• Be honest and completely impartial at all times
• 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
• Never 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 in which I officiate

I understand that if I do not follow the Code, any/all of the following actions may be taken by my club, County FA or The FA:

I may be:

• Required to meet with The FA/County FA Refereeing Official
• Required to meet with The FA/County FA Refereeing Committee
• Obliged to attend or re-attend The FA Respect training or other FA education course
• Issued with a written warning
• Fined by the County FA
• Offered less senior appointments
• Suspended from all appointments for a defined period
• Excluded from affiliating as a FA Referee

SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN

1. Any act, statement, conduct or other matter which harms a child or children, or poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or children, shall constitute behaviour which is improper and brings the game into disrepute.

2. In these Regulations the expression “Offence ” shall mean any one or more of the offences contained in the Schedules of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 and any other criminal offence which reasonably causes The Association to believe that the person accused of the offence poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or children.

3. Upon receipt by The Association of:-
3.1 notification that an individual has been charged with an Offence; or
3.2 notification that an individual is the subject of an investigation by the Police, Children’s Services or any other authority relating to an Offence; or
3.3 any other information which causes The Association reasonably to believe that a person poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or children

The Association shall have the power to order that the individual be suspended from all or any specific football activity for such period and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate. Such suspensions will be issued by the Case Manager or his/her nominee. The initial notification of any such suspension sent to an individual shall set out the right of appeal contained in Regulation 6 below.

4. In determining an order under Regulation 3 should be made, the Case Manager or his/her nominee shall give consideration, inter alia, to the following factors:-
4.1 whether a child is or children are or may be at risk of harm;
4.2 whether the matters are of a serious nature;
4.3 whether an order is necessary or desirable to allow the conduct of any investigation by The Association or any other authority or body to proceed unimpeded having regard to the need for any action to be proportionate.

All such suspension orders will be reviewed at the next meeting of The Association’s Safeguarding Review Panel. The Panel may ratify, modify or remove any such suspension, or make any other order in relation to that suspension as it deems appropriate.

5. The total period of an order referred to in Regulation 3 above shall not last beyond the final determination of any related case under the Rules of The Association.

6. Any individual subject to a suspension order under Regulation 3 may appeal against it once the period of three months from the imposition of the suspension order by the Case Manager/nominee has elapsed.

7. Such appeals shall be considered by the Safeguarding Review Panel. At least one member of any Panel considering an appeal shall not have been a member of any Panel which conducted the initial review, under Regulation 4 above, of the suspension order being appealed.

8. To bring an appeal under Regulation 6, the individual must give notice in writing to the Case Manager/nominee, requesting such an appeal. The individual may submit any written material in support of the appeal. Such material must be submitted within 14 days of giving such notice or it may not be considered by the Safeguarding Review Panel.

9. The Safeguarding Review Panel shall consider all written material submitted by the individual requesting the appeal and in support of that appeal. The Case Manager/nominee may also submit any written material for consideration by the Panel.

10. On considering an appeal, the Safeguarding Review Panel shall have the power to make any order in relation to the interim suspension order as it deems appropriate, including ratifying, modifying or removing it. The Panel shall also have power to make any order in relation to the conduct of the appeal proceedings as it deems appropriate, including requiring more information from either the individual or the Case Manager/nominee.

11. Any appeal under Regulation 6 shall be heard by the Safeguarding Review Panel at the earliest opportunity, following the receipt of notice in writing and any written material in support of the appeal from the individual.

12. Where an order is imposed on an individual under Regulation 3 above, The Association shall bring and conclude any proceedings under the Rules of The Association against the person relating to the matters as soon as reasonably practicable.