Coaches are key to the establishment of ethics in football. Their concept of ethics and their attitude 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-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.

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 in 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:

Make every effort to develop their own
sporting abilities in terms of skill, technique, tactics and stamina.

Give maximum effort and strive for the best possible performance during a game, even if his team is in a position where the desired result has aleady been achieved.

Set a positive example for others, particularly young players and supporters

Avoid all forms of gamemanship, and timewasting

Always have regard to the best interests of the game, including where publicly expessing an opinion on the ame and any aprticular aspect of it, including others involved in the game

Not use inappropriate language

Obligations Towards One's Own Team

A Player Should:

Make every effort consistent with Fair Play and the Laws of the Game to help his team win

Resist any influence which might, or might be seen to, bring into question his commitment to the team winning.

Respect for the Laws of the Game and Competion Rules

A Player Should:

Know and abide by the laws, rules and spirit of the game, and the competion rules

Accept success and failure, victoy and defeat equally

Resist any temptation to take banned substances to use banned techniques

Respect Towards Opponents

A player should:

treat opponents with due respect at all times, irrespective of the result of the game

safeguard the physical fitness of opponents, avoid voilence an rough play, and help injured opponents

Respect Towards the Match Officials

A player should:

accept the decision of the Match Official without protest

avoid words or actions which may mislead a Match Official

show due respect towards Match Officials

Respect Towards Team Officials

A player should

abide by the instructions of their coach and Team Officials, provided they do not contradict the spirit of this code

show due respect towards the Team Officials of the opposition

Obligations Towards the Supporters

A player should

show due respect to the interest of Supporters

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 to 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

improvement in the child's skills and techniques

A parent's/spectator's expectations and attitudes have a significant bearing on a child's attitude towards:

other players

officials

managers

spectators

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