Northern Federations Soccer League

                                                                                                                                                                                                                

sUnited Soccer 1, Soccer2 and Force Three Federationss

 

P O Box 151 280, New Lynn, Auckland   —   Email admin@nfsl.org.nz

Phone (09) 817 2988    —   Mobile 021 296 2318

 

 

NFSL MEMO                        ABUSE OF MATCH OFFICIALS                         May 2006

 

It is both disturbing and disappointing that a number of incidents have been reported in recent weeks where match officials in NFSL matches have been subjected to severe abuse.  In most cases the abuse was verbal and on two occasions match officials were assaulted.

 

I wish to make it quite clear to all players, team officials and supporters that abuse of match officials (verbal or physical) will not be tolerated.  If incident reports from match officials identify individual players and/or team officials these individuals will be charged through the judicial system.  If individuals can not be identified, or if the abusers are spectators, sanctions will be imposed on the relevant club/s.

 

As the controlling body of all Northern League matches, the Northern Federations Soccer League has a responsibility to protect the safety of all players and match officials.  This is both a moral responsibility and an expectation of FIFA, the world governing body. 

 

FIFA’s Disciplinary Code (which can be downloaded from the FIFA website) provides clear direction on the handling of incidents such as the abuse of match officials.  The following clauses (taken from FIFA statutes) form the basis for the code of conduct expected of all players, officials and spectators.  They are as follows:

 

Article 72        Liability for Spectator Conduct

1.                 The host association is liable for improper conduct among spectators, regardless of the question of culpable conduct or culpable oversight, and, depending on the situation, may be fined.  Further sanctions may be imposed in the case of serious disturbances.

 

2.                 The guest association is liable for improper conduct among its own group of supporters, regardless of the question of culpable conduct or culpable oversight, and, depending on the situation, may be fined.  Supporters occupying the guest sector of a stadium are regarded as the guest association’s supporters, unless proven to the contrary.

 

 

Article 76        General Rule

1.                 With regard to matches that are not organised by FIFA, associations, confederations and sports entities that organise matches are responsible for enforcing sanctions imposed against infringements committed in their areas of jurisdiction.

 

2.                 The judicial bodies of FIFA reserve the right to sanction serious infringements of the statutory objectives of FIFA, if associations, confederations and other sports organisations fail to prosecute the infringements committed or fail to prosecute in compliance with the fundamental principles of law.

 

 

Article 78        Referee

1.                 During matches, disciplinary decisions are taken by the referee.

 

2.                 These decisions are final.

 

 

Article 104      Match Officials’ Reports

1.                 Facts contained in match officials’ reports are presumed to be accurate.

 

 

In accordance with Articles 78 and 104 the decisions made by a referee during a match are not open for debate.  The standards of conduct expected in Article 72 are the same regardless of the decisions made by a referee during the course of a match. 

 

Article 72.1 also makes the host association, or in the case of NFSL matches the home club, responsible for the behaviour of spectators.  The away club (72.2) is also deemed to be responsible for its own supporters.  Clubs must start to take responsibility in this regard and club officials must show leadership in adopting these FIFA statutes.  Failure to do so will result in penalties being imposed on clubs.  These will include:

·                    Fines

·                    The loss of home fixtures

·                    And, for repeat offences, expulsion from NFSL competitions

 

Players, officials and supporters (of all teams) need to be made aware of the seriousness of these offences and the level of penalties that will be imposed for offences.  As a club official I urge you to make these points known to your players, officials and supporters, as their actions and behaviour are the responsibility of your club. 

 

 

 

Peter Courtney

NFSL Leagues Manager