Question Number: 21339

League Specific 5/14/2009

RE: Rec & Select Under 17

Peter Grove of Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire England asks...

This question is a follow up to question 21109

The applicable parts of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (2009) are as follows:

"1. The home association or home club is liable for improper conduct among spectators, regardless of the question of culpable conduct or culpable oversight, and, depending on the situation, may be fined. Further sanctions may be imposed in the case of serious disturbances.

2. The visiting association or visiting club is liable for improper conduct among its own group of spectators, regardless of the question of culpable conduct or culpable oversight, and, depending on the situation, may be fined. Further sanctions may be imposed in the case of serious disturbances. Supporters occupying the away sector of a stadium are regarded as the visiting associations supporters, unless proven to the contrary.

3. Improper conduct includes [...] invading the pitch."

FIFA would consider each case on its merits and the "further sanctions" that could be imposed include:

a) warning
b) reprimand
c) fine
d) return of awards
e) transfer ban
f) playing a match without spectators
g) playing a match on neutral territory
h) ban on playing in a particular stadium
i) annulment of the result of a match
j) exclusion from a competition
k) defeat by forfeit
l) deduction of points
m) demotion to a lower division

The exact mix and level of sanctions would obviously depend on the nature of any improper conduct proven to have occurred.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Thanks for the additional info Peter! We will send this on to the original questioner!
Cheers