Code of Conduct policy 

 

 

Code of Conduct 

1. Play to Win  

Winning is the object of playing any game.  

Never set out to lose. If you do not play to win, you are cheating your opponents, 

deceiving those who are watching, and also fooling yourself.  

Never give up against stronger opponents but never relent against weaker ones. It is an 

insult to any opponent to play at less than full strength.  

Play to win, until the final whistle.  

2. Play Fair  

Winning is without value if victory has been achieved unfairly or dishonestly. Cheating is 

easy, but brings no pleasure. Playing fair requires courage and character. It is also more 

satisfying. 

Fair Play always has its reward, even when the game is lost. Playing fair earns you 

respect, while cheats are detested. 

Remember: It's only a game. And games are pointless unless played fairly.  

3. Observe the Laws of the Game  

All games need rules to guide them. Without rules, there would be chaos.  

The rules of football are simple and easy to learn. Make an effort to learn them, so you 

understand the game better. This makes you a better player.  

It is just as important to understand the spirit of the rules. They are designed to make the 

game fun to play and fun to watch. By sticking to the rules, you will enjoy the game 

more.  

4. Respect Opponents, Team-mates, Referees, Officials and Spectators  

Fair Play means respect. Without opponents there can be no game. They have the 

same rights as you have, including the right to be respected.  

Your team mates are your colleagues. You form a team in which all members are 

equal. Referees are there to maintain discipline and Fair Play. Always accept their 

decisions without arguing, and help them to help you enjoy the game more. Officials 

are also part of the game and must be respected accordingly. Spectators give the 

game atmosphere. They want to see the game played fairly, but must also behave 

fairly themselves.  

 

5. Accept Defeat with Dignity  

Nobody wins all the time. You win some, you lose some.  

Learn to lose graciously. Don't seek excuses for defeat. Genuine reasons will always be 

self-evident. Congratulate the winners with good grace. Don't blame the referee or 

anyone else. Determine to do better next time.  

Good losers earn more respect than bad winners.  

6. Promote the Interests of Football  

Football is the world's greatest game. But it always needs your help to keep it as 

Number One. Think of football's interests before your own. Think how your actions may 

affect the image of the game.  

Talk about the positive things in the game. Encourage other people to watch it or play 

it fairly. Help others to have as much fun from football as you do. Be an ambassador for 

the game.  

7. Reject Corruption, Drugs, Racism, Violence and other Dangers to our Sport .      

Watch out for attempts to tempt you into cheating or using drugs. Drugs have no place 

in football or any other sport or in our society. Say No to Drugs. Help Kick Racism out of 

Football. Treat all players and everyone else equally, regardless of their skin colour or 

origin. Show that football does not want violence, even from your own fans. Football is 

Sport, and Sport is Peace.  

 

 

 

 

 

8. Help Others to Resist Corrupting Pressures  

You may hear that team-mates or other people you know are being tempted to cheat 

in some way. They need your help. Don't hesitate to stand by them. Give them the 

strength to resist. Remind them of their commitment to their team-mates and to the 

game itself.  

Form a block of solidarity, like a solid defence on the field of play.  

9. Denounce Those who Attempt to Discredit our Sport  

Don't be ashamed to show up anybody who you are sure is trying to make others 

cheat. It's better to expose them and have them removed before they can do any 

damage. It often takes more courage to denounce what is wrong, than to go along 

with a dishonest plan. Your honesty will be admired but your complicity will not. Don't 

just say No. Denounce the culprits who are trying to spoil our sport before they can 

persuade somebody else to say Yes.  

 

10. Honour Those who Defend Football's Good Reputation  

The good name of football has survived because the vast majority of people who 

love the game are honest and fair.  

Sometimes somebody does something exceptional that deserves our special 

recognition. They should be honoured and their fine example made public. This 

encourages others to act in the same way.  

Help promote football's image by publicising its good deeds.  

 

 

Football’s code of conduct 

 

For the Good of the Game, always.. 

 

1 Play to win. 

2 Play fair. 

3 Observe the Laws of the Game. 

4 Respect opponents, teammates, referees, officials and spectators. 

5 Accept defeat with dignity. 

6 Promote the interests of football. 

7 Reject corruption, drugs, racism, violence and other dangers to our 

sport. 

8 Help others to resist corrupting pressures. 

9 Denounce those who attempt to discredit our sport   

10 Honour those who defend football’s good reputation  

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