Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Racism & Anti-Sectarianism

Saltcoats Victoria FC is a club for the whole community. Racism, sectarianism and every other form of discrimination or hate have no place at Campbell Park, in our teams, on our social media or in anything we do. This policy adds to our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion policy and our Code of Conduct.

Who this applies to

Everyone involved with the club: players, coaches, officials, committee members, volunteers, sponsors, supporters and visitors, on the pitch, in the stands, on the way to and from matches, and online.

What we mean

Discrimination means treating someone worse because of a protected characteristic: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation (Equality Act 2010).
Racism includes abuse, taunts, gestures, chanting, symbols or “banter” aimed at a person’s race, colour, nationality, or ethnic or national origin.
Sectarianism means hatred, abuse or hostility directed at a person because of their religion, or perceived religion, including denominational chanting, songs, symbols or insults.
Other hate includes abuse aimed at someone’s disability, sexual orientation, transgender identity or variations in sex characteristics.

Some behaviour of this kind is also a criminal offence, for example under the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021. Reporting it to the club does not stop it also being reported to the police.

Our position

We do not accept discriminatory, racist or sectarian language or behaviour, in any form, from anyone.
“It was only a joke” and “it was in the heat of the moment” are not defences.
We treat all complaints seriously and will protect those who raise them from any comeback.
We will act, and be seen to act, whoever is involved and whatever their position at the club.

What you can do

If you experience or witness abuse, and it is safe to do so, tell a match official, a club official or a steward at the time. Match officials are responsible for reporting incidents on the field of play.
You can also report an incident afterwards by emailing saltcoatsvictoria@gmail.com with the date, place, what happened and, if you can, who was involved.
If someone is in danger, or a crime is happening, call 999.
Reports can also be made to the Scottish FA and to the league.

What we will do

Acknowledge every report and treat it in confidence as far as possible.
Deal with it under the club’s Complaints & Disciplinary Procedure, and pass it to the league, the Scottish FA or the police where appropriate.
Take action, which for supporters can include a warning, removal from the ground, or a ban, and for players, officials and volunteers can include suspension or removal from the club.
Keep the person who reported it informed of the outcome, as far as confidentiality allows.

Education and prevention

We will make sure that coaches, officials and volunteers know this policy, encourage everyone at the club to challenge behaviour that is not acceptable, and use Scottish FA and anti-discrimination resources to keep improving. Our ground regulations allow us to refuse entry to, or remove, anyone who breaks this policy.