Respect the name of the game
Sunday, October 6, 2002
Article summary
UEFA has again underlined that"sportsmanship, dignity and fair play have a key role" in football.
Article body
UEFA's drive to promote sportsmanship and tolerance on and off the football field is reflected not only in action against racism, but also in its long-standing commitment to the ideals of fair play.
Simple word
The UEFA fair play campaign is based on one simple word that European football's governing body feels is appropriate for everyone involved in this most passionate of sports - respect.
Vital component
UEFA has worked tirelessly over the years to transmit the message that fair play is a vital component of football. The message has been promoted through a comprehensive series of activities, including fair play competitions, public awareness campaigns and special awards for teams, players, officials and fans who set a particularly good example of sporting conduct.
Principles of respect
For this season, UEFA has identified several principles of respect which form the basic elements of fair play. They involve respect for the rules of the game, match officials, one's own club, the opposing club, team-mates, all fellow footballers and supporters of other teams. Promotional material is being distributed among the European football family and at European competition matches.
Key role
"It is essential that everyone involved remembers that sportsmanship, dignity and fair play have a key role in the game," says UEFA's director of competition operations Jacob Erel. "Moreover, the knowledge that fair play will be rewarded should act as an incentive to players and fans."
Ranking list
UEFA's fair play competitions are one means of rewarding those who want nothing to do with gamesmanship, cheating and violence. Each season, UEFA compiles an overall ranking list based on assessments carried out at matches in all UEFA competitions over a 12-month period. Marks are awarded to club and national teams for, among other things, positive play, conduct of players, team officials and spectators, red and yellow cards, and respect for the referee.
Norway rewarded
Norway finished top of the 2001/02 rankings, which meant the Norwegian Football Association (NFF) was able to enter another club in this season's UEFA Cup. Two other associations - England and the Czech Republic - were also given the opportunity to field another club in the competition after winning a draw from among the associations who ended the season with a fair play rating of 8.00 or above in UEFA's ranking table. The domestic clubs who join the UEFA Cup in this way have themselves played leading roles in their own national fair play competitions.
Prizes
Fair play prizes are also given to teams in UEFA's various competitions and individuals who show particularly sportsmanlike behaviour are considered for the UEFA Fair Play award presented at the Monaco Gala event each August.
Calmund honoured
In August, the managing director of Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Rainer Calmund, received this year's UEFA Fair Play award. The German club missed out narrowly on three trophies at the end of last season - the UEFA Champions League, the German 1. Bundesliga title and the German Cup - but Calmund reacted each time by consoling his players, congratulating the winners and showing the admirable virtue of dignity in defeat.
Respectable conduct
"It's a great honour not only for me, but for my club," said Calmund after the award. "Everyone can be proud of our achievements last season - not only the players, but also the club's supporters, who always conducted themselves in a respectable manner."
Football festivals
"I hope that respect among players and fans will continue to grow. We played three Champions League matches against Liverpool [FC], Manchester United [FC] and the final against Real Madrid [CF], and they were all great football festivals," he adds. "There was passion, enthusiasm and sporting rivalry - but there was respect and decency as well, and it is important to learn to lose with honour." UEFA had no hesitation in bestowing its own honour upon Calmund - and, by association, the Leverkusen club, for keeping a splendid sense of perspective at a time of shattering sporting failure.
Example for the future
UEFA will continue to reward those who uphold the values of sportsmanship. In acting in accordance with the ideals of fair play, players, officials and fans can set a vital example for young football enthusiasts of the future. The UEFA fair play definition, which is included in many of UEFA's regulations, reminds us: "It was sport that gave birth to the now widely used expression and concept of fair play." If you show respect for others in football, it is highly likely that you will earn respect in return.