The F.A. Anti-Discrimination and Equal
Opportunities Policies for Clubs
As the governing body of the game, The Football Association is responsible for setting
standards and values to apply throughout the game at every level.
Football belongs to, and should be enjoyed by, everyone equally. Our commitment is to
eliminate discrimination whether by reason of gender, sexual orientation, race, nationality,
ethnic origin, colour, religion or ability and to encourage equal opportunities.
The following policies should be at the heart of your club’s activities.
Anti Discrimination Policy
• QUWWA Football Club is responsible for setting standards and values to apply
throughout the club at every level. Football belongs to and should be enjoyed by
everyone, equally. Our commitment is to confront and eliminate discrimination
whether by reason of sex, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour,
religion or disability.
• Equality of opportunity at QUWWA Football Club means that in all our activities
we will not discriminate or in any way treat anyone less favourably, on grounds of
sex, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or disability.
This includes:
• The advertisement for volunteers.
• The selection of candidates for volunteers.
• Courses.
• External coaching and education activities and awards.
• Football development activities.
• Selection for teams.
• Appointments to honorary positions.
• QUWWA Football Club will not tolerate sexual or racially based harassment or
other discriminatory behaviour, whether physical or verbal, and will work to ensure
that such behaviour is met with appropriate action in whatever context it occurs.
• QUWWA Football Club is committed to the development of the programme of
ongoing training and awareness raising events and activities, in order to promote the
eradication of discrimination within its own organisation, and within football as a
whole.
Equal Opportunities Policy for Clubs
• QUWWA Football Club is committed to a policy of equal treatment of all members
and requires all members of whatever level or authority, to abide and adhere to this
general principle and the requirements of the Codes of Practice issued by the Equal
Opportunities Commission and Commission for Racial Equality.
• All members are expected to abide by the requirements of the Race Relations Act
1976, Sex Discrimination Act 1986 and Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Specifically
discrimination is prohibited by:
• Treating any individual on grounds of gender, colour, marital status, race,
nationality or ethnic or national origin, religion, sexual orientation or disability
less favourably than others.
• Expecting an individual solely on the grounds stated above to comply with
requirement(s) for any reason whatsoever related to their membership, which
are different from the requirements for others.
• Imposing on an individual requirements which are in effect more onerous on
that individual than they are on others. For example, this would include
applying a condition which makes it more difficult for members of a particular
race or sex to comply than others not of that race or sex.
• Victimisation of an individual.
• Harassment of an individual, by virtue of discrimination.
• Any other act or omission of an act, which has as its effect the
disadvantaging of a member against another, or others, purely on the above
grounds. Thus, in all the Club’s recruitment, selection, promotion and training
processes, as well as disciplinary matters, it is essential that merit,
experience, skills and temperament are considered as objectively as
possible.
• QUWWA Football Club commits itself to the immediate investigation of any claims
of discrimination on the above grounds and where such is found to be the case, a
requirement that the practice cease forthwith, restitution of damage or loss (if
necessary) and to the investigation of any member accused of discrimination.
• Any member found guilty of discrimination will be instructed to desist forthwith. Since
discrimination in its many forms is against the Football Club’s policy, any members
offending will be dealt with under the disciplinary procedure.
• The Football Club commits itself to the disabled person whenever possible and will
treat such members, in aspects of their recruitment and membership, in exactly the
same manner as other members. The difficulties of their disablement permitting
assistance will be given, wherever possible to ensure that disabled members are
helped in gaining access. Appropriate training will be made to such members who
request it.
Club Complaints Procedure
In the event that any member feels that he or she has suffered discrimination in any way, or
that the Club Policies, Rules or Code of Conduct have been broken, should follow the
procedures below.
1. They should report the matter to the Club Secretary or another member of the
Committee.
Your report should include:
1. Details of what, when, and where the occurrence took place.
2. Any witness statement and names.
3. Names of any others who have been treated in a similar way.
4. Details of any former complaints made about the incident, date, when and to
whom made.
5. A preference for a solution to the incident.
2. The Club’s Management Committee will sit for any hearings that are requested.
3. The Club’s Management Committee will have the power to:
1. Warn as to future conduct
2. Suspend from membership
3. Remove from membership
any person found to have broken the Club’s Policies or Codes of Conduct
Racism Policy
QUWWA Football Club will not tolerate any form of racial abuse.
Kick It Out
Kick It Out is football’s anti-racism campaign. The Let’s Kick Racism Out of Football campaign
was started by the Commission for Racial Equality and the Professional Footballers’
Association in 1993. It is supported by all the game’s governing bodies, supporters’
organisations and local authorities, and works to challenge racism at all levels of the game.
Badshot Lea Football Club fully supports and upholds the code of practice proposed by the
Kick It Out organisation.
What to do if you Experience Racism
• Racist abuse at football matches is against the law, so the police and stewards
should take action.
• Report racists – if you receive racist abuse, or see or hear someone making racist
comments or gestures, you should report it – to a committee member, steward, the
police, the coach; to the club if you are a fan; or to the local authority if it occurs on
your local council pitch.
• Referees should act if the abuse comes from players, and your league or county FA
should look into the matter. Make note of the incident and let Kick It Out know what’s
happened too.
The KIO hotline number is 0800 169 9414.
PO Box 29544, London,EC2A 4WR.
Tel: 020 7684 4884 Fax: 020 7684 4885 Email: info@kickitout.org
