Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct for Players and Club Officials

The League adopts the FA Charter Standard Code of Conduct for Players:

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 the 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 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.
6. Not use inappropriate language.

Obligations towards one’s team

A player should:
1. Make every effort consistent with Fair Play and the Laws of the Game to help his own team win.
2. 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 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 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 Manager 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:
1. Show due respect to the interests of supporters.

SMCCFL Code of Conduct for Players and Club Officials

THIS FOOTBALL LEAGUE IS DIFFERENT

All players and Club officials are to be aware that they are expected to maintain a very high standard of conduct and behaviour, both on and off the pitch, whilst they are playing within this Christian league.

Each Club should have its own standards that they will expect players and Club officials to uphold, as they will not want the name of their own Club and Church brought into disrepute.

If the Club or player/official fails to maintain these high standards, the League Committee will take any actions deemed appropriate, including disciplinary action. This may include suspension or expulsion of the player or Club from the League.

In order to monitor these high standards and the Code of Conduct, the home manager completes a match report, agreed with the away manager. The Referee may also make comments regarding the match in general. Issues with discipline and breaches of the Code of Conduct for players and Club officials must be reported in this match report.

In addition and complimentary to the Laws of the Game and the FA Charter Standard Code of Conduct for Players, SMCCFL sets the following code requirements of all players and Club officials:

• Friendly and respectful attitude to all players, substitutes, officials and spectators
• Sporting and honest conduct
• Humble in victory, gracious in defeat
• No offensive, insulting or abusive language or gestures
• No threatening or aggressive behaviour or language
• No violent conduct
• No deliberate and persistent annoyance and provocation of opponents
• No dissent, or persistent ‘back-chat’ and questioning of referee decisions
• No unreasonable or persistent claiming for referee decisions
• No attempts to unfairly influence the referee’s decision
• No requesting the referee to caution or dismiss another player

Each player/official will accept that serious or repeated breach of the Code of Conduct will risk suspension or expulsion from SMCCFL. Each Club will accept that if their players repeatedly fail to meet the requirements of the Code of Conduct then they risk suspension or expulsion from SMCCFL.

Each season, by signing the Player Registration form, each player will be reminded of the requirements of this Code of Conduct and will sign to confirm that they agree to abide by the Code of Conduct.

Michael Bull
SMCCFL Secretary
July 2019

South Manchester & Cheshire Christian Football League newsletter

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