FAIR PLAY - A WAY OF LIFE
Champions
UEFA
LEAGUE
UEFA is the governing body on
sporting and moral issues within
European football and, as such, has a
number of fundamental responsibili
ties. A key education duty for the
European Football Union lies in teach
ing young people to love football, and
to behave in a sportsmanlike manner
in accordance with the ideals of Fair
Play. While an appropiate amount of
physical effort is called for in any spor
ting competition or match, violence
cannot be tolerated. Those who
equate the game of football with vio
lence, either inside or outside the sta
dia, are not only harming themselves;
they are also causing damage to the
sport and its loyal followers. The ability
to understand this viewpoint grows
with a willingness to accept that it is
correct. We must learn to do justice to
the realities of football. The game is an
expression of creativity and the love of
playing; it reflects positive attitudes
towards life and the will to win and
there is no place for violence.
The concept of Fair Play comprises
the folllowing basic principles, which
should be observed by players and all
others involved:
1/ The Laws of the Game and the
regulations of the various competitions
must be respected.
2/ Every effort should be made to
behave in a sporting manner towards
opponents, match officials and any
other persons involved at matches,
such as spectators, the officials of
other clubs and assiocations and
representatives of the media.
3/ Anyone else involved at matches
should be encouraged to behave in
the manner outline above; before,
during and after a match, irrespective
of the result of the match and he deci
sions taken by the match officials.
20