Football should be a safe & enjoyable experience for everyone. Taunton Town F.C are committed to the FA’s ‘Love Football, Protect The Game’ campaign.
Please speak to any of our team if you have any concerns. Swift action will be taken against those that threaten the game we love and enjoy.
Background
Love Football Protect the Game is a cross football campaign that was implemented by the FA, Premier League and EFL at the start of the 2022/23 season to tackle anti-social and criminal behaviours within football grounds and underline the importance of a safe matchday environment.
The campaign targeted activity such as entering the pitch without permission, football tragedy abuse, carrying or using smoke bombs or pyrotechnics and throwing objects – as well as drug use and discriminatory behaviour.
Ahead of the 2023/24 season this campaign expanded to address a series of new measures across the game. This included new policies, procedures and regulations to tackle unacceptable conduct on the pitch, and on the sidelines, which saw the introduction of a new Participant Behaviour Charter for players, managers and coaches introduced across the professional game.
Pitch Incursions
In recent seasons, there have been a number of serious assaults on players and other individuals where spectators have illegally entered the field of play.
In a number of cases, supporters have then been sentenced to significant terms of imprisonment following their actions, as well as lengthy – and in some cases – lifetime bans from entering a football stadium.
While understandable that emotions run high at the end of the season, particularly for Clubs involved in promotion or relegation battles is it is vital that fans remember that the pitch is for managers, players and match officials, while the stands are there for you to support the team.
Pyrotechnics
Football supporters found in possession of, or using, pyrotechnic devices face Club bans and will be reported to the Police.
There have been instances where pyrotechnics including flares, smoke bombs and fireworks have been found or used in stadiums. A number of injuries have come from these incidents, including burns and breathing problems, alongside damage to hands, hearing, lungs and eyes. As a major fire hazard, pyros can also cause damage to grounds and surroundings.
Discriminatory Behaviour
English football is united in its determination to tackle racism and remove all forms of discrimination from our game. Alongside PGMOL, Professional Footballers’ Association, League Managers Association and the Football Supporters’ Association, the football organisations are urging fans and participants to report discrimination wherever they see it or hear it, to help make football a safer place for everyone.
All organisations are actively working with clubs and authorities, and remain committed to collaborating further with each other, to ensure those who are found guilty of racist or discriminatory behaviour face strong consequences for their actions.
Sanctions include stadium bans, legal prosecutions and custodial sentences for those found guilty of discriminatory behaviour in either the stadium or online, with additional potential points deductions for clubs within the grassroots game. Education and restorative justice initiatives will also be implemented where appropriate.
Participant Behaviour
At the start of the 2023/24 season the football authorities introduced a series of measures to help improve the behaviour of players, managers and coaches across the professional, National League system and grassroots game.
These new regulations were brought in to address unacceptable conduct on the pitch, on the touchline and in the stands, to ensure that the actions of the minority do not spoil the game for all.
Captains are expected to take responsibility for their teammates encouraging them to play fairly and show respect towards the match officials and their decisions.
Where match officials are confronted, surrounded or their personal space invaded by multiple players, at least one player will receive a card. The FA could also take further action against the club.
New measures will include:
• A new technical area code of conduct to require managers, coaches and other club staff members to behave in a responsible manner.
• Increased financial penalties for serious and repeat offenders.
• Academy scholars to undertake refereeing courses to improve players’ education into officiating.
New regulations were also announced by The FA for the grassroots game, including points deductions for teams whose players or coaches commit repeated offences of serious misconduct. More details regarding the points deductions are available here.
Please email admin@tauntontown.com if you have any questions or concerns.