Social Networking Statement issued by the Football Association, March 2012

The Hampshire FA are bringing the statement below to your attention and to the attention of our participants (Referees/Players/Managers etc.) to avoid any potential issues arising relating to the use of Social Networking, as a number of charges have been raised both locally and nationally against many participants of the game due to comments from Social Networking Sites such as Facebook etc.

• All comments on social networking sites may be considered public comment by The FA.


• Any comments which are improper, bring the game into disrepute or are threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting may lead to disciplinary action.


• Comments about match officials which imply bias, attack the officials' integrity or are overly personal in nature are considered improper.


• Comments which include a reference to a person's ethnic origin, colour, race, nationality, faith, gender, sexual orientation or disability may be considered aggravated and attract a higher disciplinary sanction.


• Re-tweeting another person's post may lead to disciplinary action if the original comment was improper.


• Deleting or apologising publicly for an improper posting, whilst advisable, does not prevent disciplinary action being taken.


• An individual is strictly responsible for any posting on his/her account. Participants should take every care to ensure that others do not access their account, as the fact that posting or comment may have been made by a third party will not prevent disciplinary action being taken against the account holder.

Participants are required to act in the best interest of the game at all times and should be aware that their postings on social networking sites are likely to be subject to public and media scrutiny.

Discipline Department
Hampshire FA