Football Officials of America “Supporting the Spirit of the Game”
Code of Ethics
It is our duty as football officials to act as an impartial judge of the game. This duty carries with it an obligation to perform with accuracy, fairness and objectivity with an overriding sense of integrity. Although the games we work are played by amateur athletes, it is vital every official approach each assignment in a professional manner.
Because of our authority and autonomy, we must develop a high degree of commitment and expertise. These facts impose a higher ethical standard by which professionals are judged. Officials who are "professionals" voluntarily observe a high level of conduct, not because of fear of penalty, but rather out of personal character.
They accept responsibility for their actions. This conduct has, as its’ foundation, a deep sense of moral values and use of reason which substantiates the belief “a given conduct is proper simply because it is.”
Code of Ethics
It is our duty as football officials to act as an impartial judge of the game. This duty carries with it an obligation to perform with accuracy, fairness and objectivity with an overriding sense of integrity. Although the games we work are played by amateur athletes, it is vital every official approach each assignment in a professional manner.
Because of our authority and autonomy, we must develop a high degree of commitment and expertise. These facts impose a higher ethical standard by which professionals are judged. Officials who are "professionals" voluntarily observe a high level of conduct, not because of fear of penalty, but rather out of personal character.
They accept responsibility for their actions. This conduct has, as its’ foundation, a deep sense of moral values and use of reason which substantiates the belief “a given conduct is proper simply because it is.”
The purposes of the Code of Ethics are briefly summarized through the following two provisions:
First, to provide a meaningful set of guidelines for professional conduct and to provide an agreed-upon standard of practice;
Second, to provide to others (i.e. players, coaches, administrators, fans, media) criteria by which to judge our actions as "professionals." This Code strongly urges officials to adhere to its principles. By doing so, notice is given that we recognize the need to preserve and encourage confidence in the professionalism of officiating.
This confidence must first be fostered within our "community" of officials and then within the public generally. The integrity of officiating rests on the integrity and ethical conduct of each individual official.
This integrity and conduct are the very basis of the future and well-being of organized sports and the effectiveness of this organization. Through its actions the FOA encourages acceptance and implementation of these Articles:
ARTICLE I Officials must be free of obligation to any interest other than the impartial and fair judging of sports competitions. Without equivocation, game decisions which are slanted by personal bias are dishonest and unacceptable.
ARTICLE II Officials recognize that anything which may lead to a conflict of interest, either real or apparent, must be avoided.
ARTICLE III Officials have an obligation to treat other officials with professional dignity and courtesy and recognize that it is inappropriate to criticize other officials publicly.
ARTICLE IV Officials have a responsibility to continuously seek self-improvement through study of the game, rules, mechanics and the techniques of game management. They have a responsibility to accurately represent their qualifications and abilities when requesting or accepting officiating assignments.
ARTICLE V Officials shall protect the public (fans, administrators, coaches, players, et al.) from inappropriate conduct and shall attempt to eliminate from the officiating avocation and profession all practices which bring discredit to it. ARTICLE VI Officials shall not be party to actions designed to unfairly limit or restrain access to officiating, officiating assignments or association membership. This includes selection for positions of leadership based upon economic factors, race, creed, color, age, sex, physical handicap, country or national origin.