FOOTBALL SAFEGUARDING CODE IN SWITZERLAND

The need for safeguarding, that is providing a safe environment in which sportspersons, especially young people and vulnerable adults, including women, can practise their sports, has never been greater than at the present time.

Many sports have introduced measures to ensure such safeguarding, including training programmes and codes of conduct and practice.

Safeguarding is particularly important in football, the world’s favourite sport, especially with the increasing participation of women players at the elite level, nationally and internationally, and at the grass roots level.

The need for such measures and codes of conduct and practice has been well recognised by the Swiss Football Association, whose Code of Practice dates from 2017.

The Code emphasises the need for awareness and prevention, wherever possible, rather than cure, as well as the need for reporting serious abuses of players, especially of a sexual nature.

Apart from physical abuse, psychological abuse should also be on the radar.

The Code also emphasises that safeguarding is a matter for everyone involved in football, not just clubs and officials, who should establish a strong culture of providing a safe environment for the practice and enjoyment of their sport, but also the parents of young players, who should be attentive to the risks of improper behaviour that breaches the Code, especially abuses by coaches.

When selecting and engaging coaches, there is a fundamental need to address the issue of protection of children and young people and make clear the rules on how to behave with them when training and in camps. Do not, for example, shower with young players and respect their privacy at all times. Also, in the event of any physical contact with them, coaches should set themselves clear boundaries and avoid situations that could be seen as abuses.

Good behaviour and proper conduct off the pitch, as well as on the pitch, is also emphasised in the Code.

Also, the need to be attentive and respond quickly and appropriately to any improper situations is stressed in the Code.

The Code also provides other practical and commonsense advice to parents of young players, for example, promoting open contact with coaches; and also to young players themselves on how to behave and react to situations, for example, by saying no to any situations with which they may feel uncomfortable.

Breaches of the Code of Practice constitute disciplinary offences and, in serious cases, could lead to bans on offenders.

For further information and advice on safeguarding issues, especially claims of abuses, contact Dr Lucien Valloni by email at ‘valloni@valloni.ch’