Code of Conduct for Players
As a player, you represent Pell City FC when you play. The actions of one player can affect the image of all of us. This Code of Conduct encourages you to play with good sportsmanship and to treat players, coaches, referees and parents with respect. It also identifies the possible consequences you will encounter when you can’t behave in an appropriate manner.
Treat Referees with Respect
Never, ever, touch a referee except to shake hands. Always address referees as ”sir” or ”ma’am” when speaking to them, no matter how old they are. Do not talk back to referees. If a referee speaks to you, your response should be respectful and to the point. Do not question calls that referees make during play. If you do not understand a call, wait until a stoppage and respectfully ask the referee to explain what happened. Most referees will be glad to explain what they saw and how they applied the Laws of the Game. It is possible that the referee made a mistake. Remember that the next time you make a mistake during play. Making mistakes is a part of life.
Treat Your Team with Respect
Whether you win or lose, do so with class. Shake hands after games. Never yell at or criticize a member of the opposing team. Think how mad you become when someone from the opposing team yells at you. Never criticize your own teammates. Think about how you feel when other players criticize you. If you think you can help a teammate by suggesting they do something differently, do it later, privately. No alcohol, drugs, profanity or fighting are ever permitted at soccer games or practice.
Treat Fields with Respect
Fields cost a lot of money to build and maintain. Whenever you do something that damages the field, someone has to pay to fix it. That someone is your family – almost half of the money you pay to play soccer goes into field – Goals, nets, benches, fences, and corner flags are expensive. Don’t abuse them. Don’t climb on the goals or nets. Don’t move the corner flags. Don’t climb the fence – use the gate.
Grievances and Consequences
If you can’t play by the rules in this Code of Conduct, there will be consequences. They are managed by the Pell City FC Executive Committee. The Pell City FC Executive Committee may impose penalties including reprimands, suspension of playing privileges, and expulsion from a team or the club. The Alabama Soccer Association and/or the Central Alabama Soccer League may respond to certain actions that take place during events they sanction (league matches, tournaments, etc.), such as the following:
- Confrontations with or touching a referee during or after a game.
- Confrontations, shoving matches, or fighting between players of opposing teams.
These governing bodies have the authority to impose fines and suspensions above and beyond those imposed by Pell City FC.
If you are red-carded from a game, you will be suspended for at least one game, and possibly for as much as five years if what you did was very violent or involved touching a referee. In addition to the above consequences, note that Section 13A-11-144, Code of Alabama 1975 establishes up to Class A felony status for the offenses of harassment of, menacing of, or assault on a sports official performing his or her official duties. In other words, you can go to jail for touching a referee.
Code of Conduct for Parents
Parents, players, coaches, and fans represent Pell City FC when our teams play. The actions of one of us affect the image of all of us. This Code of Conduct encourages us to work together to play with good sportsmanship and to treat players, coaches, referees, and parents with respect. It also identifies the possible consequences we will encounter when we can’t behave in an appropriate manner.
Treat Referees with Respect
There are no circumstances in which a parent or coach should confront a referee during or after a game. Do not verbally harass a referee. If you must disagree with a call, do so quickly, calmly and let it go. Coaches will be held responsible for ensuring that parents comply with this portion of the code of conduct. A coach who, in the opinion of the referee director, age group commissioner, coaching director, or board member, fails to control unruly parents will be subject to suspension.
Treat Your Team with Respect
Ensure your child and all his/her equipment gets to games and practices on time. Pick up your child promptly at the end of games or practices; don’t make the coaches wait for you. Disagreements with the coach do not belong on the public soccer field before, during or after a game or practice. Questions and comments should be voiced later in an adult atmosphere.
Treat Our Players and Opponents with Respect
Coaches, not parents, are the ones we entrust to instruct our players. Parent criticism of (or ”constructive help” for) other Pell City FC players is usually not well received by the player, coach or the player’s parents. Whether you win or lose, do so with class. Never yell at or criticize a player on the opposing team. Think how incensed you become when another parent or coach, especially one from the opposing team, yells at your child. Avoid confrontations or shouting matches with the coaches, parents, or fans of an opposing team. An effective response is to move to a part of the field where you cannot hear them. Constant yelling is very irritating to the people around you (even if you think your comments are positive). No alcohol, drugs, profanity or fighting are ever permitted at soccer games or practice.
Grievances and Consequences
The Executive Director is the first person you should contact if you feel a parent’s, player’s, or coach’s behavior warrants corrective action (e.g., confronting a referee or verbal abuse of players, coaches, referees, or opposing fans). The Executive Director will attempt to resolve or correct the issue but may refer it to the club’s Executive Committee for further investigation and remedy. The Executive Committee may impose penalties including reprimands, suspension of playing/coaching/spectator privileges, and expulsion from a team or the club. The Alabama Soccer Association and/or the Central Alabama Soccer League may respond to certain actions that take place during events they sanction (league matches, tournaments, etc.), such as the following: Confrontations with or touching a referee during or after a game. Confrontations or shoving matches between parents of opposing teams or parents and coaches. These governing bodies have the authority to impose fines and suspensions above and beyond those imposed by Pell City FC. In addition to the above consequences, note that Section 13A-11-144, Code of Alabama 1975 establishes up to Class A felony status for the offenses of harassment of, menacing of, or assault on a sports official performing his or her official duties.