Each Respect Code of Conduct explains that action can be taken for breaking a Code, so these are understood from the outset.

Your member clubs have two main responsibilities around the Codes:

1.      To ensure everyone within the club, whatever their role, has read, agreed and accepted their relevant Code – and understood the actions which could be taken if Codes are broken.

2.      To deal fairly and consistently with anyone who breaks ‘their’ Code.

All complaints regarding the behaviour of members, players, coaches, parents/carers should be submitted, in writing, to the Secretary for consideration by the Club Committee. This may include any offence, either within football activities or outside, which might bring the Club into disrepute.

The Club Committee will have the power to suspend temporarily from membership any member accused of misconduct or abuse, pending further investigations or enquiries.  This suspension is to facilitate the investigation and is without prejudice to the outcome of the investigation.

Any Member thought to have infringed the Code(s) of Conduct, or has been accused of any misconduct, shall be invited to a meeting with the Code of Conduct Committee (a subset of the Club Committee, numbering 3, none of whom have any link or interest in the matter). This committee will listen to and consider representations made by the member; where there is doubt that a matter has occurred, witnesses may also be invited to the meeting.

Once the matter has been heard, The Code of Conduct Committee will make such procedural provisions as necessary for the just and efficient disposal of the case. The Code of Conduct Committee will submit a written recommendation to the Club Committee within seven days of the meeting with the Member, and the Club Committee will determine its decision as soon as is practical thereafter.

The Member concerned will receive written notification of the outcome within seven days of the Club Committee’s decision.

The Member concerned may appeal against any decision as allowed in the F.A. Rules. If the Code of Conduct Committee is satisfied that there was an offence then it may recommend one or more of the following actions to the Club Committee: note the offence but take no further action; warn the Member concerned as to future conduct but no further action; suspend or disqualify the Member from football competition, coaching and/or administration for some definite or indefinite period; recommend to the County FA that the Member be disqualified from any involvement in football for some definite or indefinite period; terminate the membership or such other penalty as the Code of Conduct Committee considers appropriate.