Disciplinary & Ethical Regulations

DISCIPLINARY & ETHICAL REGULATIONS

Federation International Football Skating - FIFS

Applicable to FUTINS and Official FIFS Competitions

Official Website and Competition Documentation Edition

Official Status and Purpose

These Disciplinary and Ethical Regulations establish the standards of conduct, ethical duties, disciplinary procedures, prohibited behaviour, appeal mechanisms and possible sanctions applicable to persons and organizations participating in, working with or representing Federation International Football Skating - FIFS.

These Regulations protect the integrity of Football Skating, the safety and dignity of participants, fair competition, the independence of referees and officials, the reputation of FIFS, the rights of athletes - particularly Junior athletes - and public trust in the sport.

They shall be applied together with the official FUTINS Laws of the Game, Competition Regulations, Refereeing Regulations, Participation and Eligibility Regulations, safeguarding requirements, anti-doping requirements, media and accreditation rules and all official FIFS directives.

Participation in a FIFS competition or acceptance of an official FIFS role constitutes acceptance of these Regulations.

Scope of Application

• National federations, associations and affiliated members.
• Clubs, academies and national teams.
• Athletes, coaches, assistant coaches and Team Managers.
• Heads of Delegation, federation presidents and officials.
• Referees and match officials.
• Medical personnel, volunteers, employees and contractors.
• Media representatives, sponsors and commercial partners.
• Spectators and supporters where their conduct affects a FIFS activity.
• Any accredited or authorized person connected with a FIFS event.

These Regulations apply during matches, training, travel, accommodation, transportation, official meetings, the FIFS World Congress, ceremonies, media activities, social media activity and any situation in which a person acts as a representative of FIFS, a national federation or a participating team.

Misconduct outside the competition venue may be sanctioned where it affects safety, integrity, reputation or the lawful operation of FIFS or Football Skating.

Fundamental Ethical Principles

• Integrity and honesty.
• Fairness and neutrality.
• Respect and human dignity.
• Transparency and accountability.
• Non-discrimination.
• Professionalism.
• Protection of athletes and Junior participants.
• Respect for the Laws and official decisions.
• Prevention of corruption, abuse and manipulation.

No sporting result, commercial benefit, political interest, personal relationship or organizational advantage justifies conduct contrary to these principles.

Respect, Dignity and Non-Discrimination

All participants must respect the dignity, safety and legal rights of others.

• Insults, humiliation and abusive language.
• Threats, intimidation and bullying.
• Physical, psychological or sexual abuse.
• Harassment and exploitation.
• Discriminatory conduct.
• Retaliation against a complainant, witness or cooperating person.

FIFS prohibits discrimination based on race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, language, religion, gender, disability, age, social or economic background or another personal characteristic.

Lawful sporting classifications, age categories and eligibility rules are not discrimination when objectively and consistently applied.

Safeguarding and Protection of Junior Athletes

Junior athletes shall receive the highest level of protection.

• Adults must act in the athlete’s best interests.
• Professional boundaries must be maintained.
• Unauthorized private contact and private meetings are prohibited.
• Parental and guardian rights must be respected.
• Travel, accommodation and supervision safeguards must be followed.
• Suspected abuse, exploitation or grooming must be reported immediately.
• Inappropriate images, messages or room-sharing arrangements are prohibited.
• Threats, humiliation and physical punishment are prohibited.

FIFS may impose immediate protective measures before completion of the disciplinary process where a Junior athlete may be at risk.

Violence, Aggression, Threats and Intimidation

• Striking, kicking, punching or head-butting.
• Excessive pushing or physical confrontation.
• Spitting, biting or throwing objects.
• Fighting or attempted assault.
• Attacking a referee, official, athlete, spectator or medical professional.
• Threats against a person or family member.
• Blackmail, coercion or retaliation.
• Encouraging others to commit violence.

The absence of physical injury does not prevent disciplinary action.

Conduct Toward Referees and Match Officials

• Surrounding or physically confronting a referee.
• Aggressive protest or repeated dissent.
• Insults, threats or physical contact.
• Entering protected referee areas or the Referee Hotel.
• Following or privately approaching referees outside official procedures.
• Attempting to influence appointments or decisions.
• Offering gifts, money, hospitality or benefits.
• Publishing confidential or personal referee information.

Only the Team Captain, Team Manager or another authorized person may communicate with match officials through the approved competition protocol.

Team and Federation Responsibility

Each team and national federation is responsible for the conduct of its athletes, coaches, technical staff, Team Managers, medical staff, media staff, federation officials and accredited delegation members.

A team or federation may be sanctioned where it fails to control its members, encourages or conceals misconduct, repeatedly ignores official instructions, fails to cooperate with an investigation or allows organized supporter disorder.

Individual responsibility does not exclude organizational responsibility.

Duties of Coaches and Team Officials

• Promote safe and ethical conduct.
• Educate athletes regarding FIFS regulations.
• Protect Junior athletes.
• Respect referees and official procedures.
• Avoid abusive coaching methods.
• Report serious misconduct.
• Cooperate with disciplinary investigations.
• Maintain professional boundaries and avoid misuse of authority.

Team Officials outside the court may receive Yellow Cards and Black Cards, but do not receive Red Cards under the current FUTINS system. A Black Card results in suspension from the next match and may lead to additional sanctions.

Match Discipline and Card System

Players on the court and players on the bench may receive Yellow, Red and Black Cards.

• Two Yellow Cards equal one Red Card.
• Four Yellow Cards equal one Black Card.
• Two Red Cards equal one Black Card.
• A Black Card may be issued directly for serious misconduct.

Yellow and Red Cards are reset after each match. A Black Card carries a mandatory suspension from the next match and may result in an additional disciplinary sanction.

The Disciplinary & Ethics Committee may impose a longer suspension where the conduct is serious.

Direct Black Card and Serious Misconduct

• Serious violence or assault.
• Attempted assault.
• Serious threats.
• Discriminatory abuse.
• Spitting at another person.
• Serious insult toward a referee.
• Deliberate dangerous conduct.
• Fraud or identity manipulation.
• Entering the court to fight.
• Serious damage to equipment.
• Conduct bringing the competition into serious disrepute.

A Black Card requires an official written report. The person concerned shall not participate in the next match unless the authorized disciplinary authority expressly decides otherwise.

Fraud, False Information and Identity Misrepresentation

• Submitting false, altered or forged documents.
• Registering an ineligible athlete.
• Using another person’s accreditation.
• Misrepresenting age, nationality, residency or contractual status.
• Falsifying medical documents or a Score Sheet.
• Concealing a suspension.
• Providing false evidence during an investigation.

Possible consequences include disqualification, match forfeiture, team exclusion, cancellation of accreditation, financial penalties, suspension of officials, suspension or withdrawal of a federation licence and referral to public authorities.

Match Manipulation, Corruption and Betting

• Manipulating or attempting to manipulate a match.
• Arranging a score or result.
• Deliberate underperformance for an improper purpose.
• Improper influence on a referee or official.
• Offering or receiving a bribe.
• Using confidential information for betting or financial gain.
• Betting directly or through another person where an integrity risk exists.
• Concealing knowledge of attempted manipulation.

Any suspicious approach must be reported immediately. Failure to report may itself constitute an offence.

Bribery, Gifts and Improper Benefits

No person may offer, request, give or accept money, valuable gifts, travel, accommodation, private hospitality, employment benefits, sponsorship advantages, commercial benefits or personal favours where the purpose or effect is to influence an official decision, appointment, result, disciplinary process or commercial decision.

Normal ceremonial gifts of modest value may be accepted only where permitted and declared.

Conflict of Interest

Persons holding official roles must disclose actual or potential conflicts arising from family, financial, employment, club, national, coaching, personal or commercial relationships.

A conflicted person may be required to withdraw from a decision, leave a meeting, decline an appointment or transfer responsibility.

Failure to disclose a conflict may result in disciplinary action.

Abuse of Authority

• Coercing an athlete.
• Threatening selection or exclusion for personal reasons.
• Demanding personal or financial benefits.
• Retaliating against criticism or reporting.
• Interfering with an independent investigation.
• Improper use of confidential information.
• Favouring a person because of a private relationship.
• Misusing accreditation or official access.
• Pressuring referees or disciplinary officials.

A person holding a senior position may receive a more serious sanction because of the higher duty attached to that role.

Harassment and Inappropriate Communication

• Repeated unwanted messages.
• Sexual comments or unwanted invitations.
• Offensive jokes.
• Threatening communication.
• Public humiliation.
• Cyberbullying.
• Sharing private information.
• Spreading malicious rumours.

Professional communication must remain appropriate, necessary and connected with the person’s official role.

Social Media and Public Statements

• Discriminatory content.
• Threats and harassment.
• Publication of confidential information.
• False allegations presented as fact.
• Deliberate damage to the reputation of the competition.
• Publication of private referee information.
• Unauthorized publication of internal documents.
• Encouragement of violence or disorder.
• Misuse of FIFS logos or false claims of official authority.

Respectful criticism expressed in good faith is not automatically misconduct, but no statement may interfere with an investigation, disciplinary process or participant safety.

Media Conduct

• Follow accreditation and access restrictions.
• Respect privacy and protect Junior athletes.
• Avoid harassment and restricted-area entry.
• Follow official interview protocols.
• Respect media rights and live-streaming restrictions.
• Protect medical and disciplinary confidentiality.

Media accreditation may be suspended or cancelled for serious or repeated violations.

Political, Religious and Commercial Conduct

FIFS competitions shall remain focused on sport and international cooperation.

• Unauthorized political demonstrations or campaign activity.
• Political banners or party-political promotion.
• Discriminatory religious messages.
• Unauthorized commercial promotions.
• Ambush marketing.
• Conflicting sponsor activity.
• Use of official ceremonies for unrelated campaigns.

National flags, national identity and lawful cultural representation remain permitted under the competition regulations.

Ceremonies and Official Events

Participants must behave respectfully during Opening and Closing Ceremonies, medal ceremonies, the FIFS World Congress, technical meetings, official receptions, media events and cultural programmes.

Deliberate disruption, insults toward another country, damage to flags or official symbols, unauthorized political action and intoxicated or abusive conduct are prohibited.

Attendance at Opening and Closing Ceremonies is mandatory unless officially excused.

Alcohol, Drugs and Impairment

No participant may perform an official duty while impaired by alcohol, illegal drugs, prohibited substances, misused medication or another condition affecting safe and professional performance.

Possession or distribution of illegal drugs may result in immediate removal and referral to public authorities.

This provision is separate from anti-doping rules applicable to athletes.

Confidential Information, Data and Privacy

• Athlete medical information.
• Junior safeguarding reports.
• Disciplinary files.
• Referee assessments and appointments.
• Security plans.
• Visa, passport and accreditation data.
• Financial information and unpublished contracts.
• Private communications.

Unauthorized publication of passport copies, medical records, private contact details, changing-room recordings, private disciplinary meetings, Junior images contrary to consent requirements or private accommodation details is prohibited.

Accreditation Misuse

• Transfer or duplication of accreditation.
• Alteration of an accreditation card.
• Use of another person’s accreditation.
• Unauthorized entry into a restricted zone.
• Assisting another person to bypass security.
• Using accreditation after suspension or cancellation.

Accreditation may be withdrawn immediately, together with further disciplinary action.

Damage to Property and Equipment

Intentional or reckless damage to venues, hotels, transportation, referee equipment, team equipment, scoreboards, walls, goals, accreditation systems, media facilities or other property is prohibited.

The responsible person or organization may be required to pay the full documented cost of repair or replacement in addition to disciplinary sanctions.

Spectator and Supporter Conduct

• Respect athletes and officials.
• Follow security instructions.
• Remain in authorized areas.
• Avoid violence and discriminatory chanting.
• Do not throw objects or enter the court.
• Do not interfere with play.
• Do not engage in unauthorized commercial activity.

Sanctions may include removal, cancellation of supporter accreditation, exclusion from future events, team or federation responsibility and referral to public authorities.

Duty to Report and Protection Against Retaliation

Reliable knowledge of abuse, safeguarding risk, corruption, match manipulation, assault, serious threat, fraud, bribery, discrimination or serious referee intimidation must be reported through official channels.

Knowingly false or malicious reporting is misconduct. A good-faith report shall not be punished merely because it is not ultimately proven.

Retaliation against a complainant, witness, evidence provider or cooperating person is prohibited and may result in a separate, more serious charge.

Initial Protective Measures

• Temporary suspension.
• Removal of accreditation.
• Exclusion from a venue.
• Separation from a Junior athlete.
• Temporary removal from a team role.
• Prohibition on contacting named persons.
• Prohibition on entering referee or team areas.
• Temporary freeze of an official appointment.

A temporary measure is protective and does not by itself constitute a final finding of guilt.

FIFS Disciplinary & Ethics Committee

FIFS shall initially maintain one unified Disciplinary & Ethics Committee responsible for disciplinary, ethical, safeguarding, integrity and organizational misconduct matters.

The Committee should normally include:

• One Chairperson.
• Two voting members.
• One alternate member.
• One Secretary without voting rights.

For major matters, at least three voting members shall participate. The preferred composition includes legal or sports-regulation experience, Football Skating technical knowledge and independent ethics or safeguarding competence.

A member with a conflict of interest must withdraw from the case.

Additional Disciplinary Authorities

Depending on the matter, immediate or preliminary authority may also be exercised by the Match Refereeing Team, Chief Referee, Competition Committee, Safeguarding Officer, FIFS Executive Board or an independent panel appointed by FIFS.

The FIFS Executive Board may implement major organizational consequences, such as licence suspension or withdrawal of hosting rights, but shall not act as the ordinary appeal authority for decisions in which it was materially involved.

Match-Based Disciplinary Decisions

• Foul or Team Foul.
• Short Penalty.
• Yellow Card.
• Red Card.
• Black Card.
• Removal from the technical area.
• Match suspension.
• Recommendation for abandonment.

Immediate sporting sanctions do not prevent additional disciplinary proceedings.

Investigation

An investigation may consider referee reports, Score Sheets, video, authorized radio records, witness statements, accreditation records, medical reports, digital communications, social media, security reports, official documents and financial records where relevant.

Persons involved must cooperate honestly. Destruction, alteration or concealment of evidence is prohibited.

Notice and Right to Respond

A person or organization facing a formal charge shall normally receive notice of the allegation, the relevant rule, a reasonable opportunity to respond, information about possible sanctions and information about any available appeal.

Urgent protective or match-related decisions may be imposed before a full hearing where necessary.

Decision Standard and Evidence

The Committee shall assess evidence fairly and objectively, considering reliability, consistency, documentation, video, official reports, admissions, conduct surrounding the incident and attempts to conceal or correct misconduct.

An official referee report carries significant evidentiary weight but may be reviewed together with other reliable evidence.

Aggravating and Mitigating Circumstances

Aggravating Circumstances

• Violence or serious safety risk.
• A Junior athlete, referee or medical professional as victim.
• Discriminatory or planned conduct.
• Abuse of senior position.
• Repeat offending.
• Retaliation against a witness.
• False documents or concealment.
• Failure to cooperate.
• Serious damage to the international reputation of the sport.

Mitigating Circumstances

• Prompt admission.
• Full cooperation.
• Genuine remorse.
• Corrective action.
• Isolated incident.
• No prior disciplinary record.
• Assistance in preventing further harm.

Mitigation does not excuse serious violence, safeguarding abuse, corruption or deliberate fraud.

Financial Penalty Levels

FIFS may impose a lower or higher sanction where the circumstances justify it. Documented repair, security, medical or administrative costs may be ordered separately. Financial penalties do not replace sporting or ethical sanctions where those are also necessary.

Standard Suspension Guidelines

1 Physical Contact or Attack on a Referee

• Threatening physical contact or pushing: at least 6 months or 10 official matches, whichever is longer.
• Punching, kicking, head-butting, object-throwing or serious attack: at least 2 years.
• Serious injury, repeated attack or organized attack: 5 years to permanent exclusion.
• Attack by a coach, Team Manager or federation official: at least 2 years from all FIFS activities, subject to increase.

A serious attack may also result in immediate accreditation cancellation, venue exclusion, financial penalties and referral to public authorities.

2 Violence Against Another Participant

• Violence without serious injury: 3 to 8 matches and USD 500-2,000.
• Violence causing injury, involving a weapon, group attack or repetition: 6 months to 3 years and USD 2,000-7,500.
• Violence against a Junior athlete: immediate protective suspension, at least 2 years and possible permanent exclusion.

3 Discrimination

• Individual discriminatory statement or conduct: at least 3 matches or 3 months, plus mandatory education and USD 500-2,000.
• Serious, repeated or public discrimination: 6 months to 2 years and USD 2,000-7,500.
• Organized discrimination by a team or federation: USD 5,000-25,000, with possible points deduction, forfeiture, spectator restrictions or licence suspension.

These are standard guidelines, not automatic limits. The Committee may increase or reduce a sanction according to the full circumstances.

Available Sanctions

• Verbal warning, written warning or official reprimand.
• Yellow, Red or Black Card.
• Suspension for matches or a stated period.
• Removal from a match, venue, role or office.
• Cancellation of accreditation.
• Disqualification or match forfeiture.
• Points deduction or annulment of a result.
• Removal from a competition.
• Ban from future competitions.
• Fine and restitution for damages.
• Mandatory ethics, safeguarding or anti-discrimination education.
• Suspension of membership rights.
• Suspension or withdrawal of a federation licence.
• Withdrawal of hosting rights.
• Permanent exclusion from FIFS activities.
• Referral to public authorities.

More than one sanction may be imposed for the same conduct.

Team and Federation Sanctions

• Warning or fine.
• Match forfeiture or points deduction.
• Exclusion from a competition.
• Suspension from future competitions.
• Withdrawal of hosting rights.
• Suspension of voting or membership rights.
• Suspension or cancellation of national licence.
• Mandatory corrective, governance or safeguarding reforms.
• Requirement to remove or suspend an official.

Financial Penalties and Compensation

A financial decision shall specify the amount, payment deadline, payment method and consequences of non-payment.

Compensation may also be ordered for property damage, additional security, medical expenses, administrative costs or other documented loss.

Suspension and Ineligibility

A suspended person may be prohibited from playing, coaching, entering the technical area, acting as Team Manager, serving as a federation official, refereeing, attending official meetings, entering venues, contacting designated persons or representing FIFS or a member federation.

The decision shall define scope, start date and duration.

FIFS Appeal Panel

Appeals shall be heard by an independent three-person FIFS Appeal Panel constituted for the case. No panel member may have participated in the original decision.

The Panel should include an independent Chairperson, one member with legal or governance experience and one member with technical sport experience.

The Appeal Panel may confirm, amend, reduce, increase or cancel the original decision, or return the matter for reconsideration.

Appeal Deadlines and Grounds

Deadlines

• World Cup or live-competition matters: within 24 hours of receiving the decision.
• Other disciplinary or ethical matters: within 7 calendar days of receiving the reasoned decision.
• Urgent safeguarding measures remain in effect unless modified by the Appeal Panel.

Permitted Grounds

• Incorrect application of a regulation.
• Serious procedural error.
• Important new evidence that could not reasonably have been submitted earlier.
• Mistaken identity.
• Clearly disproportionate sanction.
• Conflict of interest or lack of impartiality.
• A conclusion not reasonably supported by the evidence.

Mere disagreement with the decision is not sufficient.

Appeal Fees

• Individual appeal: USD 300.
• Team, federation, club, host or organization appeal: USD 750.

Where an appeal is fully accepted, the fee shall normally be refunded. Where partly accepted, the Appeal Panel may order full or partial refund. Rejected appeals are non-refundable.

A manifestly abusive, insulting or delay-driven appeal may result in additional administrative costs.

Effect of an Appeal

An appeal does not automatically suspend the original decision unless the Appeal Panel expressly grants a stay.

Protective measures, Black Card suspensions and urgent safety decisions normally remain in effect pending appeal.

Recognition of External Sanctions

FIFS may recognize disciplinary sanctions issued by national federations, recognized international federations, anti-doping authorities, courts, public sports authorities or safeguarding bodies where the decision is compatible with fairness and FIFS principles.

Confidentiality of Proceedings

Investigations and proceedings shall normally remain confidential until a final decision is issued or publication is authorized.

• Junior athletes and safeguarding matters.
• Victims and witnesses.
• Medical information.
• Unverified allegations.
• Evidence and private communications.
• Passport, visa and security information.
• Temporary protective decisions.
• Matters that could prejudice a public investigation.

Publication of Decisions

Confidential Decision

Used where publication could harm a Junior athlete, victim, witness, medical privacy, security or a continuing investigation.

Anonymized Public Summary

May state the offence, rule, sanction and reasoning without identifying protected persons.

Full Public Decision

May be used for serious violence, attack on a referee, corruption, match manipulation, organized fraud, serious discrimination, licence suspension, team exclusion or another matter requiring transparency and public protection.

A public decision may state the person or organization, offence, sanction, duration, effective date and a concise summary of reasons.

Cooperation with Public Authorities

FIFS procedures do not replace criminal, civil, immigration or regulatory law.

FIFS may report violence, child abuse, sexual misconduct, fraud, forgery, bribery, illegal drugs, serious threats, public-safety risks or other potentially unlawful conduct to competent authorities.

Education and Prevention

• Ethics education.
• Safeguarding education.
• Anti-corruption training.
• Anti-discrimination programmes.
• Referee-respect programmes.
• Social-media training.
• Governance training.
• Junior-protection training.
• Team-conduct briefings.

Every national federation has a preventive responsibility. Failure to implement required education may result in organizational sanctions.

Final Authority and Interpretation

FIFS retains final authority over the interpretation and application of these Disciplinary and Ethical Regulations.

Where a matter is not expressly regulated, the authorized FIFS authority shall decide according to fairness, integrity, athlete safety, Junior protection, due process, proportionality, the reputation and development of Football Skating and the best interests of the international sport.

FIFS may issue disciplinary guidelines, ethics directives, safeguarding protocols, sanction tables, event-specific instructions, temporary protective procedures and amendments required by law, safety or competition needs.

Official Reporting and Contact

Reports concerning disciplinary, ethical, safeguarding or integrity matters should be submitted through the official FIFS integrity channel:

integrity@footballskating.com

General Information: info@footballskating.com

World Cup Matters: worldcup@footballskating.com

FIFS President’s Office: president@footballskating.com

Federation International Football Skating - FIFS

Disciplinary & Ethical Regulations