Codes Of Conduct
Codes of conduct for coaches, players and supporters
 
Code of Conduct for Coaches
Coaches must:

- Respect the rights, dignity and worth of each and every person and treat each equally within the context of the sport.
- Place the wellbeing and safety of each player above all other considerations, including the development of performance.
- Adhere to all guidelines laid down by governing bodies.
- Develop an appropriate working relationship with each player based on mutual trust and respect.
- Not exert undue influence to obtain personal benefit or reward.
- Encourage and guide players to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance.
- Ensure that the activities they direct or advocate are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of players.
- At the outset, clarify with the players and where appropriate, parents, exactly what is expected of them and also what they are entitled to expect from their coach.
- Co-operate fully with other specialists (e.g. other coaches, officials, sports scientists, doctors and physiotherapists) in the best interests of the player.
- 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.
- Consistently display high standards of behaviour and appearance.
- Not use or tolerate inappropriate language.

Code of Conduct for Supporters
Team supporters should:
- Make every effort to appreciate the sporting, technical and tactical levels of the club.
- Give priority to the interests of the team over individual interests.
- Resist all illegal or unsporting influences, including banned substances and techniques.
- Promote ethical principles.
- Show due respect to the interests of players, coaches and other officials, at their own club and at others.

Obligations towards the opposition
The team supporter should:
- Show due respect to the interests of opposition players, officials, coaches and supporters.

Obligations towards the Match Officials
The team supporter should:
- Accept the decisions of the Match Officials without protest.
- Avoid words or actions which may mislead the Match Officials.
- Show due respect towards the Match Officials.
- Refrain from entering the field of play during the game unless representing the club in an official capacity and only with the permission of the Match Officials.
- Bad behaviour from Spectators and Supporters will not be tolerated.

Code of conduct for players
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 their team is in a position where the desired result has already been achieved.
- Set a positive example for others, particularly children, young players and supporters.
- Avoid all forms of gamesmanship and time-wasting.
- Always have regard to the best interests of the game, including when publicly expressing an opinion about the game or about others involved in the game.
- Not use inappropriate language.
- Make every effort consistent with Fair Play and the Laws of the Game to help their own team win.
- Resist any influence which might or might be seen to bring into question their commitment to the team winning.
- Respect for the Laws of the Game and Competition rules
- Know and abide by the Laws, rules and spirit of the game, and the Competition rules.
- Accept success and failure, victory and defeat, equally.
- Resist any temptation to take banned substances or use banned techniques.

Respect towards Opponents
- Treat opponents with due respect at all times, irrespective of the result of the game.
- Safeguard the physical fitness of opponents, avoid violence and rough play, and help injured opponents.
- Respect towards Match Officials
- Accept the decisions 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
- 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.
- Respect towards the Supporters
- A player should show due respect to the interests of supporters.

A Code of Conduct for Team Officials
The team official should:
- Set a positive example for others, particularly children, young players and supporters.
- Promote and develop their own team having regard to the interests of the players, supporters and reputation of the national game.
- 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.
- Avoid all forms of gamesmanship.
- Show due respect to Match Officials, assistants and others involved in the game.
- Always have regard to the best interests of the game, including when publicly expressing an opinion about the game, any particular aspect of it, or about others involved in the game.
- Not use or tolerate inappropriate language.

Obligations towards the team
- Make every effort to develop the sporting, technical and tactical levels of the club/team, and to obtain the best results by the team, using all permitted means.
- Give priority to the interests of the team over individual interests.
- Resist all illegal or unsporting influences, including banned substances and techniques.
- Promote ethical principles.
- Show due respect to the interests of players, coaches and other officials at their own club/team and at others.
- Obligations towards the Supporters
The team official should:
- Show due respect to the interests of supporters.

Respect towards the Match Officials
- Accept the decisions of the Match Official without protest.
- Avoid words or actions which may mislead a Match Official.
- Show due respect towards Match Officials.
Football League Trust
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