CODE OF CONDUCT, ETHICS AND SPORTSMANSHIP

1. Values and mission

The Code of Conduct, Ethics and Sporting Coexistence sets out the basic standards of behaviour that must be respected throughout the tournament. Its aim is to ensure that all participants can enjoy a safe, inclusive competition based on the values of sport.

We see youth football not only as a competition, but also as an opportunity to learn, share experiences, live together and connect with teams and people from different cultures. That is why respect, sportsmanship, coexistence and Fair Play are fundamental values and form part of the conditions of participation in the tournament.

Any form of physical or verbal violence, racism, discrimination, harassment, sporting fraud or behaviour that may cause harm to people, facilities or the proper running of the tournament will not be tolerated. All participants, coaching staff, team officials, accompanying persons and members of the organisation must contribute to maintaining an environment of respect, safety and good coexistence, as well as taking care of the facilities and spaces that are part of the event.

2. Specific commitments

Sports organisations are responsible for promoting and supporting compliance with this Code among their players, coaching staff, team officials and accompanying persons, without prejudice to the individual responsibility that may apply in each case.

A. Players

Fair Play and sportsmanship: Compete with a commitment to sporting integrity, respect for opponents' physical well-being and good conduct towards teammates, opponents and spectators.
Respect for referees and tournament staff: Treat referees, coordinators and tournament staff with the utmost respect and cooperate with their instructions at all times.
Respectful behaviour: Behave appropriately both on and off the pitch, refraining from provocation, mockery, simulation, offensive gestures or offensive or abusive language.
Care of facilities: Use changing rooms, playing fields and all other facilities provided during the tournament responsibly.

B. Coaching staff

Positive leadership: Act at all times as role models of respect, self-control, maturity and sportsmanship for their players, families and supporters.
Active prevention and intervention: Actively and responsibly intervene to prevent, contain or address any unsporting behaviour, incident or disrespectful conduct involving their players, coaching staff or accompanying persons.
Respect for referees and tournament staff: Treat referees, coordinators and tournament staff with respect and consideration, cooperating with their instructions at all times.
Integrity and compliance with the rules: Ensure that all documentation provided is accurate, including the identities and ages of participants, comply with the tournament regulations and avoid any attempt to deceive the organisation or gain an unfair sporting advantage.

C. Supporters

Positive and inclusive support: Support teams in a healthy and respectful manner, without insults, abuse, pressure or offensive behaviour towards players, coaches, referees or tournament staff.
Respect for restricted areas: Remain exclusively in the areas designated for spectators. Access to the pitch, technical area, players' tunnel and operational areas is prohibited unless expressly authorised by the organisation.
Positive coexistence between supporters: Promote a friendly and respectful relationship between different groups of supporters, avoiding chants, gestures or behaviour that may encourage confrontation, violence or contempt.

3. Disciplinary measures

Failure to comply with this Code may result in measures being taken by the organisation.

Measures will be applied proportionately to the seriousness of the conduct and the circumstances of each case. When determining the appropriate measure, the organisation may consider, among other factors, the nature of the incident, its consequences, the intention behind the conduct, the age of the person responsible, any previous incidents and whether there has been repeated misconduct.

Measures may be taken against the person responsible, the team or the participating organisation, where the nature or seriousness of the conduct so warrants.

A. Minor offences

Minor offences are breaches of the rules of conduct or the normal operation of the tournament that do not cause significant harm to the competition, the overall atmosphere, the reputation of the tournament or third parties.

They include, among other things, behaviour that causes a limited and minor disruption to the normal running of activities or the sporting environment.

Applicable measures:

Verbal or written warning.
Recording of the incident in the organisation's disciplinary record.
Other corrective measures that the organisation considers appropriate to the nature of the conduct.

B. Serious offences

Serious offences are conduct that significantly disrupts matches, order or the overall atmosphere of the tournament, as well as serious disrespect towards referees, tournament staff or any other person involved in the tournament. These include, among others:

Repeatedly displaying a confrontational or disrespectful attitude towards referees, tournament staff or any other person involved in the tournament.
Taking part in arguments or incidents, on or off the pitch, that do not involve physical aggression.
Using offensive or provocative insults or chants.
Entering the pitch, technical area, changing rooms or other restricted areas without authorisation.
Taking part in incidents or inappropriate behaviour from the stands.
Deliberately attempting to deceive the organisation or disrupt the normal running of the competition.
Repeatedly committing conduct previously sanctioned as a minor offence.

Measures may include:

The sporting sanction applicable to the incident.
Removal of the person responsible from the tournament.
A ban on participating in one or more future editions for the person responsible.
In cases of repeated misconduct or where the seriousness of the incident warrants it, removal of the team from the tournament.
In cases of repeated misconduct or a significant accumulation of incidents involving an organisation, a limitation or reduction in the maximum number of teams that organisation may register in future editions.

C. Very serious offences

Very serious offences are conduct that seriously threatens the safety or dignity of individuals, peaceful coexistence, the fundamental values of sport or the integrity of the competition, as well as conduct that may jeopardise the safety or proper running of the tournament. These include, among others:

Physical aggression, as well as serious threats, intimidation or coercion.
Conduct, expressions, gestures or chants that are racist, xenophobic, sexist, homophobic or discriminatory.
Taking part in collective fights or brawls.
Impersonating another person, falsifying or altering documents, including players' ages, or committing any other form of sporting fraud.
Intentionally causing serious damage to facilities, accommodation or property belonging to others, or stealing third-party property.
Any other particularly serious conduct that compromises people's safety, peaceful coexistence or the proper running of the tournament.

Measures may include:

Removal of the person responsible from the tournament.
A ban on participating in one or more future editions, which may be indefinite in cases of particular seriousness.
Removal of the team from the tournament.
A ban on the team or category participating for two or more editions.
A limitation on the number of teams that the organisation may register in future editions.
Refusal of admission of the organisation to future editions.

The organisation may adopt precautionary or preventive measures when necessary to ensure people's safety or the proper running of the tournament. Such measures do not prejudge the final decision regarding the incident.

The organisation may also adopt other organisational or disciplinary measures that are proportionate to the seriousness of the conduct, even if they are not expressly set out in this section.

4. Acceptance and responsibility of participating organisations

Registration for the Donosti Cup constitutes the participating organisation's express acceptance of this Code. The organisation undertakes to make the Code known to its players, coaching staff, families and accompanying persons, and to actively promote compliance with it.

The organisation may assess the overall conduct of a participating organisation and take measures affecting the team or organisation when the seriousness, repeated nature or collective nature of the incidents so warrants, without prejudice to the individual responsibility of the persons involved.

Decisions taken under this Code, including those relating to participation in future editions, shall apply in accordance with the terms established by the organisation. Exclusion or refusal of participation shall not give rise to any right to a refund or compensation for expenses or commitments incurred by the participating organisation.