SPECTATOR AND TEAM OFFICIAL BEHAVIOUR POLICY

In recent tournaments we have seen a significant increase in poor behaviour by spectators and team officials towards referees as well as other supporters and players. We have even seen incidents of violence towards other spectators and abusive and discriminatory behaviour directed at kids as young as 8. These incidents have resulted in individuals and teams being suspended from the competition and future competitions run by the Australian Football Skool and Sports Group Melbourne. and referred to Football Victoria for further disciplinary action. There are also a number of clubs who are no longer able to register into our competitions due to previous incidents.

The event takes crowd behaviour seriously therefore inappropriate behaviour from spectators will not be tolerated. Treat others how you would like to be treated at all times.

Teams and Clubs will be held responsible for their supporter’s behaviour. Matches may be forfeited at the referee and/or tournament officials’ discretion. Teams may also be deducted points or disqualified from the tournament.  Where multiple teams from a particular club are found to be displaying poor behaviour, tournament management reserves the right to suspend whole clubs from future Australian Football Skool, Sports Group Melbourne and Melbourne City FC tournaments.

Spectators must remain behind fences or roped areas at all times. Should spectators enter the field during a match the referees have the right to end the match immediately and the offending team will forfeit the match.

Under  NO circumstances are supporters allowed to approach, question or criticise referees during the tournament. Referees make mistakes just like players do and should not be subject to abuse when they give up their time to ensure games can go ahead.

If you would like to report any behavioural issues during the tournament, please approach the nearest Ground Marshall immediately. Do not wait until after the match. You can also report incidents in writing via this link:   Incident/Complaint Form