This policy is designed to provide clarity to its supporters, employees, stakeholders and everyone connected with Ayr United Football Club on the Club’s position regarding unacceptable conduct.  It is further designed to promote good relations between all relevant parties to preserve the good name of Ayr United FC

Ayr United FC as the home club in any official match must ensure, so far as reasonably practical;

• Good order and security
•  Policies and Procedures are adopted, revised and implemented to prevent incidents of Unacceptable Conduct
• That any incidents of Unacceptable Conduct are effectively dealt with at the Stadium on the occasion of an event or official match.

As a family and Community Club, Ayr United Football Club condemns and will not tolerate any form of misbehaviour and/or unacceptable conduct from any person (the Club's employees, Directors, Players or Supporters and any other person exercising a function for or connected with the Club) at Somerset Park or at any other away football stadium.

Ayr United Football Club aims to create and maintain an environment where all spectators feel welcome, safe in the knowledge that they are free from all forms of harassment, abuse and any conduct that is unacceptable or disorderly.

This policy applies to any football matches or events within Somerset Park, or at any away fixtures involving Ayr United Football Club. All persons entering the ground are expected to abide by the terms of this policy and by the SFA Ground Regulations.  Copies of both are posted around the ground.

Unacceptable conduct is conduct which is violent or disorderly.

Violent Conduct includes:

• Actual, attempted or threatened physical violence against a person or persons

·       Intentional damage to property

Disorderly conduct includes:

Activity which stirs up or sustains, or is likely to, or is designed to stir up or sustain hatred or ill will such as:

• Using threatening, abusive or insulting words, or conduct, both verbal, non-verbal and in writing on social media platforms.

·       The use of pyrotechnics (flares, fireworks, smoke bombs or the like)

• Use of gestures to transmit a provocative message
• Displaying writing or any other item which is threatening, abusive or insulting.

          Against or towards individuals or groups of people because of:

• Gender
• Age
• Colour, race, nationality (including citizenship) or ethnic or national origin
• Membership or presumed membership, of a religious group or of a social or cultural group with perceived religious affiliation
• Sexual orientation
• Transgender identity
• Disability (physical or mental impairment of any kind)

Other forms of unacceptable conduct are listed, not exhaustively, below.

·       Incursion or attempted incursion onto pitchside or the field of play

·       The throwing of objects

·       The use of laser pointers or similar electronic devices

·       The disruption to the National Anthem/ minutes silence

·       Sectarian chanting or singing

·       Tragedy chanting

·       Shouting of racial abuse

·       Breach of the Ground Regulations

Entry to stadium

Those having entered Somerset Park or other stadium, will be deemed as having agreed to the Ground Regulations and the contents of this policy. 

All persons either seeking entry or whilst in the stadium are subject to the condition that they may be required to submit to search. Bags will be searched before entry is permitted; please avoid bringing bags wherever possible. If any person possesses prohibited items (offensive messages on banners or flags/pyrotechnics/alcohol/surfing flags) they will be confiscated and may be delivered to the police.

Any person having any such items, or any person refusing to be searched shall not be admitted to the ground and any season ticket or match ticket held by him/her shall be confiscated without compensation and he/she shall be liable to such other sanctions as the Club may determine.

Consequences

Any person engaging in unacceptable conduct may be subject to any, or a combination of the following:

·       Removal from Somerset Park or away stadium

·       Suspension or indefinite ban from attending home matches involving Ayr United Football Club

·       Suspension or ban from holding Ayr United Football Club membership

·       Suspension or ban as a Player or Coach from Ayr United Football Club

·       Report to the police and possible criminal proceedings.

Responsibility

Everyone associated with the Club has a responsibility to prevent and discourage any form of abuse and as such are responsible not only for their own actions but also those of others. We would therefore encourage everyone to bring to the Club’s attention, any incident or behaviour, of individuals or groups of individuals, deemed to be in breach of this policy.

Whilst it is appreciated that behaviour such as that listed above involves the minority of individuals in our society, Ayr United Football Club wishes to ensure that we continue to maintain the highest standards both on and off the field of play and that the name Ayr United Football Club is associated with good and sporting behaviour at all times.

·       Anti-Racism Policy

·       Ground Regulations

• Diversity, Inclusion and Equality

FOR AN AUDIO VERSION OF THIS POLICY CLICK HERE