Anti Discrimination Policy
Anti Discrimination Policy
AYR UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB
ANTI DISCRIMINATION POLICY
(INC. ANTI RACISM)
Ayr United Football Club
Somerset Park
Tryfield Place
Ayr
KA8 9NB
Tel: 01292 263435
Email: info@ayrunitedfc.co.uk
Website: www. ayrunitedfc.co.uk
Ayr United Football Club is responsible for setting standards and values to apply throughout the Club at every level.
Football belongs to, and should be enjoyed by, everyone equally.
Our commitment is to confront and eliminate discrimination, whether by reason of sex, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or disability.
Equality of opportunity at Ayr United Football Club means that in all our activities we will not discriminate or in any way treat anyone less favourably on grounds of sex, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or disability.
These commitments apply to;
-Advertising for volunteers
-Selection of candidates for volunteers
-Courses
-External coaching and educational activities/awards
-Team selections
-Appointments to any titled positions
Ayr United Football Club will not tolerate sexual or racially based harassment or other discriminatory behaviour, whether physical or verbal and will work to ensure that such behaviour is met with appropriate action in whatever context it might occur.
Ayr United Football Club is committed to the development of the programme of ongoing training and awareness raising events and activities aimed at promoting the eradication of discrimination within its own organisation and within the wider football community.
AYR UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB ANTI RACISM POLICY STATEMENT
Ayr United Football Club (the Club) has a proud tradition of being detached from the taint of sectarianism and is similarly utterly opposed to any manifestation of racism in print by actions or verbally on or off the pitch.
Consequently the Club fully endorses UEFA’s ten point plan of action for professional football clubs, which calls for clubs to;
1. Issue a statement saying the club will not tolerate racism, spelling out the action it will take against those engaged in racist chanting. The statement should be printed in all match programmes and displayed permanently and prominently around the ground.
RESPONSE
The Club has played an active role in anti-racist activities mounted by both the Scottish Executive and the Football League and has made it clear that it will not tolerate racist behaviour and/or chanting from any spectator (home or visiting) in Somerset Park.
Furthermore, the Club match programme routinely confirms in writing that it is a criminal offence, for which spectators may be arrested, to take part in racist behaviour and that persons convicted of such offences will be the subject of exclusion orders banning them from football grounds.
The Club has actively supported and prominently displayed posters for ‘Show Racism the Red Card’, ‘Kick it Out’ and other relevant campaigns.
Ground Regulations outlining the code of conduct expected of supporters in respect of racist behaviour are on display around the ground.
2. Make public address announcements condemning racist behaviour at matches.
RESPONSE
In the event of racist behaviour at matches at Somerset Park, and in consultation with Police Scotland, public address announcements would be made condemning such incidents and reinforcing the Club’s policy and its determination to take the strongest possible action against any individual or group responsible.
3. Make it a condition for season ticket holders that they do not take part in racist abuse.
RESPONSE
This is implicit in the Club’s overall policy in respect of combating racist behaviour. An explicit statement of the Club’s policy in this respect will appear on all future season ticket books.
4. Take action to prevent the sale of racist literature inside and outside the ground.
RESPONSE
The Club, in consultation with Police Scotland, will take all relevant action in respect of preventing the sale of such literature inside the ground and will support the prosecution of any group or individual suspected of being engaged in such activities.
While the Club unreservedly condemns such activities, this remains a matter for Police Scotland.
5. Take disciplinary action against players who engage in racial abuse.
RESPONSE
The Club will take appropriate action against any player, or other employee, proven to have engaged in racist abuse or behaviour.
The Club will exclude any volunteer engaged in activities under the control of the Club, in the event of him/her being proven to have engaged in racist behaviour and/or abuse.
6. Contact other clubs to make sure they understand the Club’s policy on racism.
RESPONSE
The Club considers that the SPFL is the key player in combating racist behaviour and in this context, believe that the policy of Ayr United Football Club should be communicated to the SPFL as opposed to individual clubs.
Further, the Club considers that the SPFL should advise member clubs of their obligations in respect of combating racial behaviour and/or abuse and ensure compliance with agreed standards.
7. Encourage a common strategy between stewards and Police for dealing with racist abuse.
RESPONSE
The Club already operates in concert with Police Scotland in respect of all aspects of crowd behaviour/control at Somerset Park and the prevention of racist behaviour and/or abuse is constantly addressed.
8. Remove any racist graffiti from the ground as a matter of urgency.
RESPONSE
Any racist graffiti would be removed as a matter of urgency.
9. Adopt an equal opportunities policy in relation to employment and service provision.
RESPONSE
The Club is an equal opportunities employer and compliant with the relevant U.K. legislations.
10. Work with all groups and agencies, such as the Police, Players Union, supporters, schools, sponsors, local businesses and voluntary organisations to develop pro-active programmes and make progress to raise awareness of campaigning to eliminate racial abuse and discrimination.
RESPONSE
As previously stated, the Club has played an active role in anti-racist activities mounted by the football league and Scottish Executive and will continue to do so.
This document will be reviewed and updated on a regular basis.
Roy Provan, Football Safety Manager, A.U.F.C.
March 2014
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