unacceptable conduct
Under SPFL rules in respect of Ground Safety, Behaviour at Matches and Damage to Stadia, each club must ensure that its players, officials, supporters and any other person exercising a function, or connected with the club do not engage in unacceptable conduct at a stadium on the occasion of an official match. For the avoidance of doubt, this includes all home and away matches played by the club.
For this purpose, unacceptable conduct covers conduct which is violet and/or disorderly.
Voilent conduct includes:
- Actual, attempted or threatened physical violence against a person or persons.
- Intentional damage to property
Conduct which stirs up or sustains, or is likely or is designed to stir up or sustain hatred or ill will against or towards individuals or groups of people because of:
- Colour, race, nationality (including citizenship) or ethnic or national origin.
- Membership, or presumed membership, of a religious group or of a social cultural group with perceived religious affiliation
- Sexual orientation
- Transgender identity
- Disability
- Using threatening, abusive or insulting works or conduct
- Displaying writing or any other things which is threatening, abusive or insulting
This list is not exhaustive and must be read in conjunction with the stadium regulations. Upon determining that a breach of, or failure to fulfil the rules has been established, a number of options are available to the SPFL, three of which are:
- Give a reprimand to the club
- Impose a fine on the club
- Impose a deduction of points
Any person engaging in unacceptable conduct may be subject to any or a combination of the following:
- Removal from the stadium
- Suspension from attending official matches involving the club
- indefinite ban from attending official matches involving the club
- Report to the police and possible criminal proceedings
Dumbarton Football Club accepts its responsibility under these rules and will not tolerate any form of unacceptable conduct detailed above.
Any official, employee or any other person connected with the club who engages in such activity will be subject to the club’s internal disciplinary procedures. Any supporter who engages in such activity will be liable for sanctions imposed by the club which may include withdrawal of season tickets, exclusion from future matches involving the club or, in the event of persistent offending, an application being made towards obtaining a football banning order.