New code of conduct gives FA right to sack captain
THE FA’s new code of conduct for players includes the power to strip the England captain of the armband. And all England stars have been warned that the FA reserve the right to ban them indefinitely from international football without the right of appeal. Last week the national team’s players were presented with the 16-page A5 booklet that includes 33 dos and don’ts concerning ‘respect’, ‘professionalism’ and ‘communication’ for all representatives of the 24 national teams under the FA’s command. These include: Alcohol and drugs bans. A total ban on discussing team selection issues outside ‘the group’.
No betting on football matches.
No room service and a commitment to show respect to hotel staff.
A limit on the use of computer games.
A request not to wear headphones in media areas to avoid interviews. After the John Terry captaincy fiasco there is a focus on the importance of the armband, with the Club England board stating that they have the power — over and above the national team manager — to strip a player of the role if they feel he or she is in serious breach of the new code. Fabio Capello’s tenure as manager ended when he publicly opposed the FA’s decision to take the captaincy off Terry when the Chelsea skipper’s racism trial was delayed until after Euro 2012. The new code of conduct even makes it clear that Terry could be banned retrospectively from international football, even though he chose to retire last month. Current captain Steven Gerrard said the code amounted to a ‘common sense’ approach to dealing with disciplinary issues in the future. Key messages are delivered on the inside front and back covers of the booklet. In large white type against a red background the inside front cover states: ‘Players representing England are ambassadors for their country and role models for younger players. The highest standards of conduct and behaviour are therefore expected at all times, including when players are not on international duty.’ On the inside back cover it says: ‘The position of England captain is a privileged position, which carries with it additional expectations and responsibilities.’ The document, entitled ‘Club England Player Code of Conduct’, has three sections: A) Standards of conduct required at all times, B) Club England values while on international duty and C) Procedures in the event of alleged breach of the code. On the captaincy it says: ‘The captain of each team is under increased scrutiny and is expected to be a role model to the rest of the squad and in his or her compliance with the code. The captaincy may be removed from a player by the Club England management board in the event that his or her conduct does not meet the standards required for the role. The head coach retains the right to change the captaincy irrespective of any breach of the code.’ There is a major focus on the use of social network sites like Twitter and Facebook, and a ban on ‘all forms of discrimination’. There is also an insistence that there is ‘no disclosure of confidential information about any aspect of playing for England’. While on international duty, players are told to ‘respect hotel staff at all times’. They must also avoid betting ‘on any football matches’ and requests that players ‘only use a sensible amount of time playing video or computer games’. It adds: ‘Mobile phones in the meal-room, dressingroom and on the team bus is at the discretion of the Head Coach.’ The document calls for players to share the responsibility of media commitments, while there has also been a verbal request not to wear headphones in media areas as a ploy to avoid interviews. If there is a breach, an investigation will be carried out by Club England. ‘All players must comply with investigation,’ it states. If a breach is found, there is the ‘option of sanctions’. ‘4.1: issuing an oral or written warning to the player ‘4.2: determining that the player shall not be eligible for selection for a specific number of matches or specific period. ‘4.3: determining that the player shall not be eligible for an indefinite period.’ It adds: ‘Any decision of the Club England Board is final. There is no right of appeal.’