Donosti Cup 2026 launches new initiatives to promote respect and fair play

Donosti Cup 2026 once again reinforces its commitment to the values of sport through the “Play, Respect, Celebrate” programme. This well-established initiative promotes respect, coexistence and fair play both on and off the field.

Team behaviour will continue to be a key element of the competition. An evaluation system will be applied in every match, assessing the attitude of players, coaches and supporters. These scores will be used to create an overall fair play ranking, recognising the most exemplary teams of each edition.

The three most sporting teams will receive the Fair Play Award, a trophy made from sustainable materials that symbolises the tournament’s commitment to respect both on and off the pitch.

As a new feature, the highest-ranked team from Gipuzkoa in this fair play ranking will receive a €2,000 prize, which must be donated to an NGO or charitable cause chosen by the team itself, extending the positive impact of good behaviour beyond the sporting arena.

Donosti Cup will also introduce new initiatives in collaboration with Fútbol Más, an organisation specialised in using sport as a tool for social transformation. Among these initiatives is the introduction of a circle of honour before the start of matches, a symbolic gesture in which players and referees gather at the centre of the field to highlight fair play, acknowledge their opponents and convey a message of respect and coexistence to the spectators.

In addition, the tournament will implement a new Protocol against verbal violence and discriminatory behaviour, aimed at preventing and addressing insults, threats, and racist, xenophobic, sexist or discriminatory conduct. The protocol may be activated by the referee, the field delegate, or following reports from players or coaches. It includes a range of progressive measures, from the temporary suspension of a match to its definitive abandonment in the most serious cases.