The Emphasis: Fair Play


It is F.I.FA’s mission to ensure that the good image of soccer is maintained throughout the world. Special attention is paid to promoting the concept of fair play with a worldwide campaign aimed at education and ethical values, including the fight against racism and attempted corruption in soccer.
Lofty goals indeed. FIFA has 10 statements on fair play that might seem obvious, but almost every week some aspect of fair play is tempted. You can’t pick and choose which of these 10 you want to follow and which to ignore. For the good of the game everyone who is connected to soccer is to abide by them. Here are the 10.

· Play to win- Obvious, right? Howeer, there are circumstances that might have one or more players who might not be trying to win. These are situations where a team may play for a tie. FIFA exhorts everyone always to play to win. Anything less shows disrespect to the game.
· Play fair- Again, an obvious consideration. Haven’t you seen a jersey pulled, the professional foul, a player writhing on the ground who reenters the game as soon as he/she leaves the field. A dive in the box? An elbow to move an opponent back? Spikes up on a slide? A number of injuries due to contact are due to foul play and not all of those fouls are inadvertent.
· Observe the laws of the game- Play within the laws and don’t try to stretch an interpretation. At a recent U-10 game, after one team took a shot, five players stood, fingertip to fingertip, across the top of the penalty box forming a gauntlet for the coming goal kick. For U-10’s a goal kick can be tough. Yes, this team and the coach observed the laws, but ignored the statement about sportsmanship and proper conduct. There was a ton of respect for the referee that day; on the second occurrence, he turned to the coach and pulled out the yellow card. People applauded.
· Respect opponents, teammates, referees, officials, and spectators- Players spit at one another, give the referee an obscene gesture, trash talk and curse- even players in middle school. Most people would say this is getting worse.
· Accept defeat with dignity- This was very visible at the last world cup where players on practically every losing team left the field with their heads held high.
· Promote the interests of soccer- If it’s good for the game, within these 10 guidelines, then promote it.
· For the most part, soccer has been resistant to drug use when compared to other major sports like cycling, cross-country, skiing, American football, baseball ice hockey, and others, but racism and violence are still problems, particularly in the stands.
· Help others to help resist corrupting pressures- It is everyone’s responsibility to keep corruption out of the game.
· Denounce those who attempt to discredit the sport- Luckily in the U.S. the people who denounce our sport usually are uninformed media out to make waves. Speak your mind and defend our sport without taking the defensive stance that the anti-soccer media loves.
· Honor those who defend soccer’s good reputation- This begins with your teammates and extends to parents, coaches, referees, local, state, and international administrators. It’s the only game the entire world plays and it’s our duty to protect it.