AIM

The aim of the FAW Fair Play Code is to encourage good behaviour and raise awareness of the ‘Fair Play’ message.

The FAW Fair Play Code is to inspire players, clubs and supporters to take an active role in promoting this message for the benefit of football at every level in Wales, as we all have a collective responsibility for the image of the game.

THE CODE

 

PLAY FAIR

There is no value to victory if it has been achieved unfairly or dishonestly. Playing fair is more satisfying and rewarding. Even when a game is lost, playing fair earns respect while dishonesty only brings shame.

 

PLAY TO WIN, ACCEPT DEFEAT WITH DIGNITY

Winning is the object of any game. Never set out to lose but remember that nobody wins all the time and it is important to lose graciously. Do not seek excuses for defeat as reasons will always be self-evident. The winners should always be congratulated with good grace. No blame should be directed at the referee or anyone else and there should always be a determination to do better next time. Good losers always earn more respect than bad winners.

 

OBSERVE THE LAWS OF THE GAME

The rules of football are simple and easy to learn. In learning the rules, a greater understanding of the game will be gained. Through a better understanding of the game, players, clubs and supporters will have a greater respect for the referee’s decisions. It is equally important to understand the spirit of the rules. They are designed to make the game fun to play and fun to watch. By following the rules, the game will be more enjoyable for all.

 

RESPECT OPPONENTS, TEAM-MATES, REFEREES, OFFICIALS AND SPECTATORS

Respect is part of the game and is fundamental to the FAW Fair Play Code. Without opponents there can be no game. Everyone has the same rights, including the right to be respected. In a team all members are equal. Referees are there to maintain discipline and Fair Play. Always accept their decisions without arguing and help them to enable all participants to have a more enjoyable game. Officials are also part of the game and must be respected accordingly. Spectators provide a game with atmosphere. They want to see the game played fairly but they too must behave fairly and with respect themselves.

 

PROMOTE THE INTERESTS OF FOOTBALL

Football is the world's greatest game, but it always needs everybody's help to maintain its greatness. Think of football's interests before your own. Think how your actions may affect the image of the game in Wales. Talk about the positive aspects of the game. Encourage other people to watch and play fairly. Help others to have as much fun from football as you do. Be an ambassador for the game in Wales.

 

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 the recognition of the FAW. They should be honoured and their fine example publicised. This encourages others to act in the same way. Between the FAW and yourselves we can help to promote football's image by publicising its good deeds.

 

REJECT NEGATIVE OUTSIDE INTERESTS

Football's popularity sometimes makes it vulnerable to negative outside interests. Drugs have no place in football, in any other sport or in society as a whole. Say no to drugs. Help to kick racism and bigotry out of football. Treat everyone involved in the game with equal respect, regardless of their religion, race, sex or national origin. Show zero tolerance for gambling on games in which you participate. It negatively affects your ability to perform and creates the appearance of a conflict of interests. Show that football does not want violence, even from your own fans. Football is sport, and sport should be played peacefully in a safe environment.

 

FOOTBALL COMMUNITY

Football has an incredible power, which can be used to make your community a better place in which everyone can live. Use this powerful platform to promote peace, equality, health and education for everyone. Make the game better by taking it into your community.​​​​​​​

 

FAW FAIR PLAY REGULATIONS

1. Preamble

Where the context so requires, capitalised and defined words or phrases used in this Regulation have the same definition and meaning set out in the FAW’s Rules. The Fair Play Regulations only apply to Clubs participating in the FAW’s National Leagues.

 

2. Aim

The aim of the FAW Fair Play Regulations is to encourage good behaviour and raise awareness of the ‘Fair Play’ message.

The objective of the FAW Fair Play Regulations is to inspire Players, team officials, Clubs and supporters to take an active role in promoting this message for the benefit of football at every level in Wales, as we all have a collective responsibility for the image of the game.

 

3. Points

The points total for the FAW Fair Play Tables are calculated as follows:

(i) 12 points for:

(a) A Player sent off in accordance with Law 12 of the IFAB Laws of the Game for one of the following reasons:

• Violent Conduct;
• Serious Foul Play;
• Spitting; or
• Using offensive, insulting or abusive language/gestures.
   

(b)   A team official sent off in accordance with Law 12 of the IFAB Laws of the Game for one of the following reasons:

• deliberately leaving the technical area to:

(i)     show dissent towards, or remonstrate with, a match official; and/or

(ii)   act in a provocative or inflammatory manner; and/or

(iii)  enter the opposing technical area in an aggressive or confrontational manner.

• using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures;
• entering the field of play to confront a match official (including at half-time and full-time);
•  entering the video operation room (VOR);
• entering the field of play to interfere with play, an opposing player or match official;
• deliberately throwing/kicking an object onto the field of play;
• physical or aggressive behaviour (including spitting or biting) towards an opposing player, substitute, team official, match official, spectator or any other person (e.g. ball boy/girl, security or competition official etc.); or
• violent conduct.

 

(ii) 10 points for:

(a)   A Player sent off in accordance with Law 12 of the IFAB Laws of the Game for one of the following reasons:

• Two cautionable offences;
• denying a goal; or
• for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity to an opponent whose overall movement is towards the offender’s goal by an offence punishable by a free kick.

 

(b)   A team official sent off in accordance with Law 12 of the IFAB Laws of the Game for one of the following reasons:

• delaying the restart of play by the opposing team e.g. holding onto the ball, kicking the ball away, obstructing the movement of a player;
• receiving a second caution in the same match; or
• using unauthorised electronic or communication equipment and/or behaving in an inappropriate manner as the result of using electronic or communication equipment.

 

(iii) 4 points for any Player or team official who receives a caution in accordance with Law 12 of the IFAB Laws of the Game.

 

Each Clubs’ points will be based on their league matches only. For the avoidance of doubt, they will not include any play-off matches, cup competitions or friendlies.

If a Player or team officials’ registration is terminated, or a Player or team official is transferred to another Club during the same season, then the points accumulated will remain with the club at which the individual committed the offence.

 

4. Reduction of Points

During the season, each Club has an opportunity to reduce the number of points to their overall total where Clubs have evidenced the promotion of the FAW Fair Play message. The table below outlines all possible points deductions that will be considered:

Fair Play Promotion	Total Number of Points Deducted
Programme Articles – Clubs displaying FAW Fair Play logo, FAW Fair Play Code and FAW Fair Play Tables in at least 3 (three) different Matchday Programmes in the same season.	4
Online Articles – Clubs having a specific publication from the current season which includes the aim of the FAW Fair Play Code and the FAW Fair Play Logo.	2
Monthly FAW Fair Play Tables on website – These need to be updated monthly as and when the FAW publishes them.	4
Designated FAW Fair Play Days – The display of FAW Fair Play branded paraphernalia. Examples include, but are not limited to: T-shirts, banners, cards, water bottles, PA system announcements.	6
Poster Campaign – Display of posters in the clubhouse and changing rooms promoting the FAW Fair Play message.	4

 

All of the above evidence must be submitted by post or email to the FAW Discipline Department (discipline@faw.co.uk) no later than 2 (two) days after the completion of the last match of the season in the Clubs respective league. All evidence that has been submitted will be reviewed at the end of the season and any deduction in points will be represented in the final tables only. It shall be to the absolute discretion of the FAW when determining if a reduction of points should be awarded.

A Club can gain a points deduction for each individual reason listed in the table above, the points deduction is only available for each individual reason once per season.  Therefore, a Club cannot have two points deductions for the same reason during a single season. For the avoidance of doubt, the maximum number of points that can be deducted from a Clubs record for a single season is twenty (20).
 

5. Rankings

(i) At the end of each season, the FAW will produce a final table detailing each Clubs position in the FAW Fair Play Table. The final table will include the total number of points received by each Club and the total number of points deducted (as calculated in accordance with sections 3 & 4 of these Regulations). The team that is the winner of their league in respect of the Fair Play table will be the one with the least number of points.

(ii) Where two or more Clubs possess the same number of points, the following criteria will be applied in the order given to determine their rankings:

(a)   Each Club will have their reduction of points (as set out under section 4 of these Regulations) reinstated;

(b)   The Club with the fewest sending’s off for Players and team officials;

(c)    The Club with the fewest sending’s off for team officials;

(d)   The Club with the fewest sending’s off for Players;

(e)   The Club with the fewest cautions for Players and team officials;

(f)    The Club with the fewest cautions for team officials;

(g)   The Club with the fewest cautions for Players;

(h)   The Club with the fewest number of misconduct reports in that season in accordance with Section E of the FAW Rules;

If the following has been applied and there is no winner, then it will be a tie for first position.

 

6. ​​​​​​​Prize

(i) The Club that finishes first in their respective National League division shall be entitled to £1000.00 prize money. Save for where a single winner cannot be identified, and the £1000.00 prize money is split equally between the Clubs who finished first. (The FAW reserve the right to withhold the prize money where the Club has any outstanding debts with the FAW, where the debt is subsequently cleared, the FAW shall pay the prize money to the Club, if the debt is not cleared, the prize money shall be used against the debt owed, any leftover sums shall be paid to the Club.)

(ii) This prize money must be reinvested back into the Club and must be evidenced to the FAW. The prize money can be spent on equipment, ground improvements or anything else that would be of direct benefit to the Club and can be clearly evidenced to the FAW.

(iii) The prize money must not be spent on the following (please note this list is not exhaustive):

(a)   Players, team officials or any member of staff at the club’s salaries and/or expenses;

(b)   A transfer fee;

(c)    Match Officials fees;

(d)   Towards any bank loan; and

(e)   For any utility bill;

(iv)  Each Club who wins the FAW Fair Play Table in their National League will also be presented with an FAW Fair Play award trophy at a ceremony set by the FAW.

 

7. FAW Fair Play Branding

When publishing the FAW Fair Play brand, Clubs must use the current FAW Fair Play logo set by the Association from time to time.

 

8. Disputes

The decision of the FAW in relation to these Regulations is final and binding on all parties and not subject to appeal.