Discrimination in football: a guide to The FA’s new charging policies and sanctioning guidelines

In August 2020, after consultation with various stakeholders, The Football Association (The FA) published new charging policies and sanctioning guidelines for discrimination by participants and spectators in English and Welsh football, effective for the 2020-21 season. 

This article reviews the new guidance, looking in turn at:

• The FA charging policy for discrimination; 
• The FA sanction guidelines for discrimination by an individual participant (aggravated breaches);  
• The FA sanction guidelines for discrimination by crowds (conduct of spectators). 

The guidance documents are available here.[1] They interact with The FA’s Rules and Regulations, which are available here.[2]