By : Jadavchandra Haobam
Referees Instructor, AIFF
Convenor, AMFA Referees Education Sub-Committee
Referees In-Charge,
AFC-AIFF Vision India Project Manipur
Special Invitee,
AMFA Executive Council
Members
AMFA State League / Youth Committee
AMFA Disciplinary Committee
AMFA Grassroot Committee
AMFA FUTSAL Committee
AMFA Media Committee
The Term "Fair Play" is now a-days synonymous with the game of football. In this exciting and world’s most popular game, if one separates "Fair Play" from football, no football will be available to play. In modern football, all competitions have "Fair Play" Awards. For FIFA, it introduced the "Fair Play" Award in the World Cups since 1970 and was won by Peru for being the only team not to be booked for any Yellow or Red Cards against its players. FIFA observed its first "FAIR PLAY DAY" on 21st September, 1997. For the promotion of the game, FIFA has been using different slogans like
" My Game is Fair Play"
" Fair Play Please"
" For the good of the Game"
" For the Game. For the World"
Considering the high- tech nature of the game like
- vast expanse of the area where the game is played (105 m x 68 m ),
- huge set of the 17 Laws of the Game governing football,
- physical tussle involved amongst players during the game. The International Football Association Board which formulates and amends the Laws of the Game recognises football as a, more or less, Combative Sport.
- Hooliganism in football,
- high technology reuired for the judgement of goal, though very recently,
Assistant Referees have also been posted on the goal lines for judging goals,
- complex orgnisations both in the attacks and defense,
- play-acting (simulations) adopted by players,
- but however, only one referee along with two of his assistants (since 1891) are controlling the game,
the role of "Fair Play" has now gained tremendous significance .
Fair Play is not just the way a player should play not to cause an injury to an opponent or just to respect the referees decisions. But, Fair Play has been the very spirit-principle with which every-one of us, the Players, the Coaches, the Team Captains, the Organisors/Administrators, the Referees, the Parents, the Teachers, the Media, Sports Medicine Doctors, the Spectators/Fans, etc. must participate for the promotion of the Game and Peace. International Olympic Committee(IOC) had strongly felt that FIFA only has deep rooted affinity with all sections of people specially the youths. So IOC joined hands with FIFA to commemorate the International Year of Youth/Volunteers in 2002. Even the UNO - its subsidiary bodies like UNICEF, UNESCO, WHO etc. joined hands with FIFA in implementing its objectives. All these objectives could be successfuly implemented if only we honour the principles of Fair-Play.
1. Play to win:
Winning is the object of playing any game. Never set out to lose. If you do not play to win, you are cheating your opponents, deceiving those who are watching, and also football, yourself.
Never give up against stronger opponents but never relent again weaker ones.
It is an insult to any opponent to play at less than full strength.
Play to win, until the final whistle.
2. Play Fair:
Winning is without value if victory has been achieved unfairly or dishonestly. Cheating is easy, but bring no pleasure. Playing fair requires courage and character. It is also more satisfying.
Fair play always has its reward, even when the game is lost. Playing fair earns you respect, while cheats are detected. Remember : It’s only a game. And games are pointless unless played fairly.
3. Observe the Laws of the Game:
All the games need rules to guide them. Without rules, there would be chaos.
The Rules of the Football are simple and easy to learn. Make an effort to learn them so you understand the game better. This makes you a better player.
It is just as important to understand the spirit of the rules. They are designed to make the game fun to play and fun to watch. By sticking to the rules, you will enjoy the game more.
4. Respect Opponents, Teammates, Referees, officials and Spectators:
Fair Play means respect.Without opponents there can be no game. They have the same right as you have, including the right to be respected.
Your teammates are your colleagues. Your form a team in which all members are equal.
Referee are there to maintain discipline and Fair Play. Always accept their decisions without arguing, and help them to help you enjoy the game more.
Official are also part of the game and must be respected accordingly.
Spectators give the game atmosphere. They went to see the game played fairly, but must also behave fairly themselves.
5. Accept Defeat with Dignity:
Nobody wins all the time. You win some. You lose some. Learn to lose graciously. Don’t seek excuses for defeat. Genuine reasons will always be self-evident.
Congratulate the winners with good grace. Don’t blame the referee or anyone else. Determine to do better next time. Good loser earn more respect than bad winners.
6. Promote the interest of Football:
Football is the world’s greatest game. But it always need help to keep it as No. 1.
Think of Football’s interests before your own . Think how actions may affect the image of the game.
Talk about the positive things in the game. Encourage other people to watch it or play it fairly. Help others to have as much fun from football as you do.
Be an ambassador for the game.
7. Reject Corruption, Drugs, Racism, Violence and others dangerous to our Sports
Football’s huge popularity sometimes makes it vulnerable to negative outside interests.
Watch out for attempts to tempt you into cheating or using drugs. Drugs have no place in football or any other sports or in our society. Say No to Drugs.
Help kick Racism out of Football. Treat all players and everyone else equally, regardless of their skin colour or origin.
Show that football does not want violence, even from your own fans. Football is Sport and Sport is Peace.
8. Help Others to resist Corrupting Pressure:
You may hear that teammates or other people you know are being tempted to cheat in some way. They need your help. Don’t hesitate to stand by them. Give them the strength to resist. Remind them of their commitment to their teammates and to the game itself.
Form a block of solidarity, like a sold defence on the field of play.
9. Denounce Those who Attempt to Discredit our Sport:
Don’t be ashamed to show up anybody who you are sure is trying to make others cheat. It’s better to expose them and have them removed before they can do any damage.
It often takes more courage to denounce dishonest plan. Your honest will be admired but your complicity will not.
Don’t just say No. Denounce the culprits who are trying to spoil our sport before they can persuade somebody else to say yes.
10. Honour Those who Defend Football’s Good Reputation:
The good name of football has survived because the vast majority of people who love the game are honest and fair.
Sometimes somebody does something exceptional that deserves our special recognition.
They should be honoured and their fine example made public. This encourage others to act in the same way.
Help promote football’s image by publicising good deeds.
The FIFA and AFC had seriously thought of that the successful implementation of FAIR Play solely rests on young children right from the time they are introduced to the game of football for, from this time, we teach them the skills and the don’ts. Much attention is given to things that they can’t do in the training or during a match. When they do the positive and good things, we must show our approval and appreciation. Therefore, we adopt Green Card System in the Grassroot Football Festivals. The Green Card means :
- This is a good action & to keep it up
- It re-inforces positive action
- It is positive education.
- It is appreciation & encouragement to do positive things more often
- It is an example for others to follow the same.
- The fans & officials appreciate your action.
Ones role in the implementation of Fair Play :
1. The Players & Fair Play:
1. No Dangerous equipments
2. Appreciate good play
3. Sharing refreshment with opponents
4. Helping injured opponents
5. Do not care for slight injuries
6. Do not play violently or dangerously
7. Do not retaliate
8. Help team-mates & opponents to avoid arguments
9. Accept Referees decision without protest
10. No claims. Let the referees decide.
11. Always play to the whistle.
12. Do not take advantage of any fault unseen by the referee
13. Do not interfere when in offside position
14. Accept defeat with diginity.
15. Be modest in victory.
2. The Coach & Fair Play:
1. Introduce players to the backgrouned of football
2. Teach respect for the Laws of the Game.
3. Instruct team captain to reinforce Fair Play.
4. Encourage respecting fans of both teams
5. Encourage positive attitude, clean play, good discipline on & off the field
6. Discourage cheating or negative tactics
7. Counsel against illegal Drugs.
8. Establish good relations with parents
9. Remain calm & dignified. No criticism.
Remember your players are watching you.
10. Discipline any player, however valuable, who shows contempt for Laws,
other players or officials.
3. The Team Captains & Fair Play
1. You are the leader.
2. You represent the integrity of the team
3. Your position does not give special rights, but you have certain responsibilities.
4. Being the leader, your conduct has an important influence on your team-mates & on the game
5. See that ball is given quickly to opponents.
6. Remember that you have no right to question any decision by Match Officials.
7. If necessary, do it in a polite manner.
8. It is natural to express joy for score, but such celebrations must be short
& dignified.
9. On the Final Whistle, make a point of thanking Match officials & Opponents,
whatever the result may be.
( roles of other stakeholders like the Organisors/Administrators, the Referees, the Parents, the Teachers, the Media, Sports Medicine Doctors, the Spectators/Fans, etc. had not been discussed due to paucity of space and the same is deeply regretted - Jadavchandra ):
Fair Play, Positive Education and the Green Cards system:
The ten golden rules of Fair-Play :
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