Standards

A level playing field for all ?

FIFA Disciplinary Code: Non-discrimination

Fifa letter circulated to all national associations on March 29th. This clearly sets out FIFA revised sanctions regarding racial and religious discrimination at football matches. Revision of article 55 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code: Non-discrimination.

Download FIFA's amendments to their disciplinary code (40 Kb)

UEFA Disciplinary Code

Uefa has revised sanctions regarding racial and religious discrimination at football matches. This clearly sets out UEFA revised sanctions regarding racial and religious discrimination at football matches.

Strict new provisions on racist conduct and discrimination are included in the latest edition of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations, which have been issued for the 2006/07 season. A legal basis is also provided where action can be taken, for example, in cases of simulation by players.

Five-match suspension
The regulations provide for a five-match suspension, or a ban of a specified period, for anyone who insults the human dignity of a person or group of persons, by whatever means, including grounds of colour, race, religion or ethnic origin.

Additional sanctions
Any member association or club whose supporters engage in such conduct will incur a minimum CHF30,000 (€19,000) penalty. In particular circumstances, the disciplinary body may impose additional sanctions on the member association or club responsible, such as the playing of one or more games behind closed doors, a stadium closure, awarding of a match by default, deduction of points or disqualification from the competition. Any form of extremist ideological propaganda is banned before, during, and after games. The provisions are in line with stipulations introduced by world football's governing body FIFA earlier this year.

Download UEFA's amendments to their disciplinary code (183 Kb)

UEFA 10 point plan against racism

SRTRC partners Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) formulated this plan which was adopted by UEFA in 2002 and sent to all national associations.

Following a joint SRTRC and Amnesty International (Scotland) campaign in 2004, and the support of thousands of football fans, the Scottish FA now recommends that SPL and SFL clubs implement this plan as part of their club licensing conditions. The 10 point plan can be found below.

Scottish FA National Club Licensing Manual

Current Scottish FA club requirements can be found under the 'Codes of Practice' section of their Club Licensing Manual.

Sport Scotland Equity Strategy

SportScotland, the national agency for sport, published their Equity Strategy for Sport in 2005. SRTRC are working in partnership with SportScotland on the implementation of aspects of this strategy.

The Commission for Race Equality - Duty

The Commission for Racial Equality have legal powers to enforce the implementation of the race equality duty for public bodies in Scotland.

Their statutory code of practice aims to help public authorities meet their duties.

UEFA's Tackling Racism in Club Football - A Guide For Clubs

Tackling Racism in Club Football - A Guide For Clubs has been issued to herald the start of the new UEFA club competition season and is the latest step in the concerted campaign being waged by UEFA to rid the game of racism and discrimination.

The guide contains an explanation of racism and the different manifestions of discrimination and intolerance, such as anti-semitism or homophobia, and provides clubs with important ground rules for specific activities in tackling racism.

Dowload a copy here (4.19 mb)

Scottish Unity League & Cup Declaration

Team Declaration:

Our team agrees to adhere by and respect the rules of the league and cup and support the anti-sectarian philosophy of the 'Scottish Unity League'.

We confirm our club and team are committed to working against sectarianism, racism and bigotry in any form.

We accept, welcome and agree with the rule that: 'Any player sent off for sectarian, racist or bigoted actions of any kind will face an immediate 3-month ban. This may be increased subject to the decision of the Director of Disciplinary, Rules and Referees. The player will not be accepted back into the league unless a written apology is received from the player to the league and the opposition player/players the action was directed against.'

We give a commitment to our best efforts that our team is open to all and that our only selection criteria will be the footballing ability and character of the individual and the collective balance of the team.

Equality Standard for Scottish Professional Football Clubs

Coming soon...

Non-professional club standard

Coming soon...

League standard

Coming soon...

Fans standard

Coming soon...

The UEFA 10 point plan against racism

1. Issue a statement saying the club will not tolerate racism, spelling out the action it will take against those engaged in racist chanting. The statement should be printed in all match programmes and displayed permanently and prominently around the ground.


2. Make public address announcements condemning racist chanting at matches.


3. Make it a condition for season-ticket holders that they do not take part in racist abuse.


4. Take action to prevent the sale of racist literature inside and around the ground.


5. Take disciplinary action against players who engage in racial abuse.


6. Contact other clubs to make sure they understand the club’s policy on racism.


7. Encourage a common strategy between stewards and police for dealing with racist abuse.


8. Remove all racist graffiti from the ground as a matter of urgency.


9. Adopt an equal opportunities' policy in relation to employment and service provision.


10. Work with all other groups and agencies, such as the players union, supporters, schools, voluntary organisations, youth clubs, sponsors, local authorities, local businesses and police, to develop pro-active programmes and make progress to raise awareness of campaigning to eliminate racial abuse and discrimination.