Supporters code of conduct
Dumbarton Football Club recognises that football is a passionate game and supporters will have their own way of expressing their support and reactions. This is acceptable and welcomed as it often adds positively to the match experience. However, behaviour which jeopardises the safety and enjoyment of others or is likely to bring disrepute to this Club is not acceptable.
This includes:
- Anti Social Behaviour
- Personal abuse on social media
- Sectarian, racial, discriminatory or obscene chanting
- Throwing any article within the stadium or its environs
- Encroaching onto the field of play
- Disability hate crime
- The offence of any person having in their possession any firework/flare/smoke bomb/party poppers etc whilst attempting to enter or whilst in any part of a designated football ground which is in the sign of the pitch.
Disability Hate Crime
A crime becomes a Disability Hate Crime when it is ‘perceived by the victim or any other person to be motivated by malice or ill will based on a persons disability or perceived disability’. (A copy of the clubs Disability hate crime policy is available on the club web site under club policies)
Personal Abuse on Social Media
Derogatory, abusive, and wholly unacceptable social media posts aimed towards staff members are entirely unacceptable. We would like to remind supporters that such behaviour has no place at our club, in football or wider society.
Whilst we understand that everybody is entitled to an opinion, and actively encourage lively and passionate debate, we must make it clear that some of the personal attacks we have witnessed are deplorable.
Anyone found guilty of using language of a racist, xenophobic or discriminatory nature is indulging in unacceptable conduct and as such will face further action from the club. This also relates to discriminatory content posted online.
Dumbarton Football Club will support its Staff, Stewards and Police Scotland in taking appropriate action against any individual whose *conduct is unacceptable.
(* Notices defining unacceptable conduct are on display throughout the stadium and can also be found on the club web site)
Exclusion from the Stadium
Supporters who are the subject of an ejection (Mainly by Stewards) or arrest (By police) will immediately be excluded from entering the stadium for 4 weeks or * 2 home matches (* should the 4 weeks run into the close season). In the case of arrest should the police action lead to court proceedings this exclusion will be extended until the outcome of such court proceedings are known by the club. This exclusion also covers supporters who indulge in unacceptable conduct and who are neither ejected nor arrested at the time but whose identity is later discovered by the club.
Away Matches
Dumbarton Football Club are always made aware of instances of unacceptable conduct involving our supporters which occur whilst the team are playing away from home and should the circumstances merit the club reserve the right to implement the terms of this code against individuals who indulge in such behaviour and bring the good name of this club into disrepute.
Right of Appeal
Any individual who breaks this code and becomes the subject of arrest or ejection leading to exclusion from the stadium may appeal in writing to the undersigned if they feel that an injustice has occurred. A club review of the circumstances will be undertaken and the applicant informed of the results of the review in writing
Dumbarton Football Club
Enjoys an excellent reputation for good behaviour both on and off the field of play. This code of conduct has been produced so that supporters are fully aware of the action that this club will take to ensure their safety and enjoyment. The club trusts that the sanctions mentioned above are seldom imposed.