- Play by the rules. It is just as important to understand the spirit of the rules. They are designed to make the game fun to play and fun to watch. By sticking to the rules, you will enjoy the game more.
- Play to win. Winning is the object of playing any game. Never set out to lose. If you do not play to win, you are cheating your opponents, deceiving those who are watching, and also fooling yourself. Never give up against stronger opponents but never relent against weaker ones.
- Play fair. Winning is without value if victory has been achieved unfairly or dishonestly. Playing fair requires courage and character and is more satisfying. Playing fair earns you respect, while cheats are detested.
- Refrain from conduct which may be regarded as sexual harassment towards fellow players and coaches.
- Never argue with an official. If you disagree, have your captain, coach or manager approach the official during a break or after the competition. Fair play means respect. Referees are there to maintain discipline and fair play.
- Control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials and sledging other players, deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent, are not acceptable or permitted behaviours in any sport.
- Be honest with the coach concerning illness and injury and ability to train and compete to the best of your ability.
- Work equally hard for yourself and your team. Your team’s performance will benefit and so will you. A professional appearance relating to language, manner, temper and punctuality is to be adopted at all times.
- Be a good sport. Applaud all good plays whether they are made by your team, or the opposition.
- Accept defeat with dignity. Nobody wins all the time. Learn to lose graciously. Don’t seek excuses for defeat, genuine reasons will always be self-evident. Congratulate the winners with good grace. Don’t blame the referee or anyone else. Good losers earn more respect than bad winners.
- Promote the interests of football, it is the world’s greatest game. Think of football’s interests before your own. Think how your actions may affect the image of the game. Talk about the positive things in the game. Encourage other people to watch it or play it fairly. Be an ambassador for the game.
- Treat all participants in your sport as you like to be treated. Do not bully or take unfair advantage of another competitor. Reject corruption, drugs, racism, violence and other dangers to our sport. Watch out for attempts to tempt you into cheating or using drugs. Drugs have no place in football, or in our society. Say no to drugs.
- Help others to resist corrupting pressures. You may hear that team-mates or other people you know are being tempted to cheat in some way. Give them the strength to resist. Remind them of their commitment to their team-mates and to the game itself. Form a block of solidarity, like a solid defence on the field of play.
- Co-operate with your coach, team-mates and opponents. Without them there would be no competition. They have the same rights as you have, including the right to be respected.
- Participate for your own enjoyment and benefit, not just to please parents and coaches.
- Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
- Denounce those who attempt to discredit our sport. Don’t be ashamed to show up anybody who you are sure is trying to make others cheat. It’s better to expose them and have them removed before they can do any damage. It often takes more courage to denounce what is wrong, than to go along with a dishonest plan.
- Honour those who defend football’s good reputation. The good name of football has survived because the vast majority of people who love the game are honest and fair. Sometimes somebody does something exceptional that deserves our special recognition. They should be honoured and their fine example made public. This encourages others to act in the same way.
