Football Federation Australia Member Protection Policy Analysis

This report provides a detailed overview of the Football Federation Australia (FFA) National Member Protection Policy, which was implemented to safeguard the interests of players, stakeholders, and participants in Australian football. The policy outlines the applicability, rights of players and stakeholders, and procedures for addressing breaches. It covers essential aspects such as freedom of movement, safety, equal opportunity, and freedom of expression for athletes. Furthermore, the report examines the various protection policies introduced by the FFA, including anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies, as well as the FFA Code of Conduct. The report details the procedures for handling complaints, emphasizing procedural fairness and the role of the Chief of Staff or General Counsel. The conclusion underscores the FFA's role in game management and the development of the sport, highlighting the importance of the protection policies in maintaining ethical standards and ensuring the well-being of everyone involved in football in Australia.

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National Member Protection Policy of Football Federation
Australia
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Introduction
To safeguard the interest of participants, stakeholders and players of the football,
Australian legislature passed Football Federation Australia National Member Protection Policy
(MPP). The Football Federation Australia (FFA) introduced Football Federation Australia
National Member Protection Policy in July 2016. The FFA aims to make sure that basic ethics,
positive attitude and goodwill of organization are maintained. This helps FFA to ensure that
every individual associated with football in Australia is safe, protected from violence and is
treated fairly (Murray, 2010). The following project will describe about the rules, rights of
players as well as others participants, how complaints can be made before disciplinary
committee, how the FFA takes action against such complaints.
Applicability
The MPP contains the procedures in case of breach of this policy, procedures for
complaint and responsibilities of individuals as well as organizations. It also provides for the
rights of players, participants and the stakeholders as well as consequences in case of breach of
this policy. FFA has authority to take disciplinary action against any wrong doer or association,
who are bound by this policy. This policy basically applies to every individual, player, FFA, its
members, officials, Members of Committee, Competition Administrators. This policy will also
apply to guardians and parents of players and to stakeholders at matches. Once the disciplinary
proceeding is commenced, the policy will continue to apply to an individual even if they do not
continue their employment with FFA.
Rights of Player, Participant and Stakeholder
Every athlete as well as participant in a game have certain rights and duties (Thompson,
2018). Followings are the some of the examples of rights of player, participant and stakeholder:
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 Freedom of movement is one the most important right of an athlete (Henry, 2013). Every
player has a right to freedom of movement but from time to time various restrictions
have been imposed over the movement of players in professional sports, some of them
are rules relating permit, zoning etc. These restrictions are basically in conflict with the
common law doctrine of restraint of trade. Lord McNaughton in Nordenfelt v Maxim
Nordenfelt Guns and Ammunition (1894) AC 535 explained the doctrine of restraint of
trade (Yasser, McCurdy, Goplerud, & Weston, 2011).
 The other right of athlete and stakeholder is right to safety. The FFA should take all
safety measures to ensure safety of athletes and other participants.
 Right to equal and fair opportunity is yet another right of athletes. Every athlete should
be given equal opportunity to take part in the match and shall be treated fairly (Burgess,
2006)
 A player must have the right to freedom to form opinion and expression.
 Right to collective bargain is also the right of every player.
 Right to give advice and assist the council is also the right of stakeholders in match.
Policies of FFA
FFA has introduced various protection policies to safeguard the interest and rights of
players and other participants. This protection policy provide procedure for eliminating
harassment, child abuse, discrimination on the basis of race, sex etc. and other types of
inappropriate football behavior (Lenskyj, 2018). These policies also provide code of behavior
and conduct that also form the foundation for suitable and ethical behavior, which must be
respected by every person in sport.
Anti-Discrimination Policy
A member under FFA Anti-discrimination policy must not participate in discriminatory
behavior or not discriminate others on ground of race, religion, age, language etc. and must not
impose a condition or requirement that has an unequal effect or result on specific groups.
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Anti-Harassment Policy
A member under FFA’s Anti – Harassment policy must not involve in any kind of
harassment including sexual harassment, which makes a person feel offended or humiliated.
Harassment in any form including verbal, written, physical abuse and display of obscene
materials should not be practiced by any member of FFA.
FFA Code of Conduct
FFA Code of Conduct aims to encourage and reinforce the reputation of football in
Australia by establishing a standard for its members and stakeholders in terms of results,
behavior and professionalism (Nafziger & Ross, 2011). The code of conduct applies to the
behavior and conduct of FFA, its Member Federations, clubs, players and agents.
Procedure in case of breach of Its Policy
No member or other persons shall breach the FFA’s policies (Macdonald, 2007). Any
individual may report a complaint against member bound by this policy if they think that the
member is involved in inappropriate activities or engaged in unethical conduct or has breached
the terms of this policy for example:
 To do any act which is contrary to the provisions of policy,
 Bringing football into disrepute or misbehaving or intimidating another person,
 Breaching the Code of Conduct for working with Children,
 Disclosing confidential information of Governing Body to any unauthorized person,
 Failing to follow FFA policies and regulations etc.
The main purpose of FFA is to provide an easy procedure for the complaints based on
Procedural Fairness. An endeavor should be made by the governing bodies to resolve the
complaint with amicable methods. Those people who do not want to move to the disciplinary
committee may resolve the dispute through Mediation process.
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The FFA and the Member Federation must:
a. Follow the principles of natural justice, and must deal with the complaints based
on procedural fairness.
b. Dispose the matter as early as possible and deal with the complaints relating to
breaches of policies seriously.
c. Not disclose any sensitive information to other persons without the consent of
complainant and keep the complaints confidential.
The Chief of Staff or General Counsel is appointed by the FFA on receipt of complaint to
consider the matter or to investigate the complaint may appoint an independent expert.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, FFA is the governing body for football in Australia. It is responsible for
game management, ensuring the greatest norms of conduct and monitoring the growth and
development of sport. To protect the interest of players and stakeholders, various policies has
been introduced by FFA. This protection policy provides purpose, applicability, procedure of
complaint, breach of its policies and composition of Disciplinary Committee.
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Bibliography
Burgess, D. N. (2006). Profile of movement demands of national football players in Australia.
Journal of Science and Medicine In Sport, pp-334-341.
Henry, I. (2013). Athlete development, athlete rights and athlete welfare: a European Union
perspective. The International Journal of the History Of Sport, pp-356-373.
Lenskyj, H. J. (2018). Gender,Athlete's Rights, and the Court of Arbitration. Bingley: Emerald
Publishing Limited.
Macdonald, R. B. (2007). Around the grounds: A comparative analysis of football in Australia.
pp-236-331.
Murray, J. (2010). Our Great Game:The Photographic History of Australia Football.
Melbourne: Slattery Media Group.
Nafziger, J. A., & Ross, S. F. (2011). Handbook on International Sports Law. Cheltenham:
Edward Elgar Publishing Limited.
Thompson, T. (2018). Playing for Australia:The First Socceroos, Asia and World Football.
London: Fair Play Publishing.
Yasser, R., McCurdy, J. R., Goplerud, C. P., & Weston, M. A. (2011). Sports Law:Cases and
Material. London: Mathew Bender & Company.
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