Club policies
Community Coaching
St Johnstone Football Club’s Community Coaching activities are carried out under the direction of a Child and Coach Protection Policy. Details are available from Community Coach Atholl Henderson.
Show Racism the Red Card
The Club fully endorses the aims of Show Racism the Red Card.
Show Racism the Red Card is part of the FARE (Football Against Racism in Europe) network.
Show Racism the Red Card is an anti-racist charity which was established in January 1996 with the aim of using Professional footballers as anti-racist role models. Although racism is on the decline in professional football, it is unfortunately on the increase in British and indeed European society. The aim of the campaign is to combat racism through anti-racist education and professional footballers are showing the way in terms of making a stand and fighting racism.
Learn more about Show Racism The Red Card
Kick Out Bigotry
The Club is pleased to have signed the Pledge and supports the aims of the Kick Out Bigotry campaign.
Kick-out Bigotry is Scottish football’s united anti-sectarianism campaign
The Kick-out Bigotry campaign is co-ordinated by the Football for All charity.
The campaign aims to:
- Tackle religious bigotry and sectarian attitudes and behaviour in, and associated with, Scottish football
- Assist and empower football supporters' organisations to tackle religious bigotry
- Work with football players, clubs, authorities and others to eradicate sectarianism
- Co-ordinate inclusive Kick-out Bigotry football events
- Deliver inclusive Kick-out Bigotry educational initiatives
Learn more about the Kick Out Bigotry campaign
Taking Action to Prevent and Address Instances of Unacceptable Behaviour
As a Club, we take our responsibilities very seriously in respect of issues of unacceptable conduct, whether within or outside of our stadium and there are numerous measures which are in place to prevent such conduct.
On an ongoing basis, these include:
- Meetings with the Police, G4S Security, Safety Officer and Club Personnel prior to every game at McDiarmid Park
- There is a protocol in place between the Club and Tayside Police which includes a “sharing of information”.
- Ensuring that there are sufficient police and stewards in attendance at each game.
- An upgraded CCTV system that was installed in the summer of 2007.
- Matchday programme – messages are inserted which relate to behaviour of spectators, seating policy, smoking policy, racist chanting, etc and the likely action to be taken by the Club should spectators fail to abide by the Club’s rules and Safety Certificate.
- “All ticket” games – conditions of entry are printed on the reverse of each ticket and these include reference to the Criminal Law (Consolidated) (Scotland) Act 1995.
- Ground Regulations are on display outside each turnstile.
- Tannoy announcements are made regularly regarding unacceptable behaviour.
- The Club has been actively involved in “Show Racism the Red Card” (since October 2007) and also with selected schools from our area being invited to McDiarmid Park for a “question and answer” session with our players (annually). In addition, in conjunction with “Show Racism the Red Card” and Perth & Kinross Council, the Club is visiting primary schools in our area to promote anti racism.
- Trackside advertising board – Show Racism the Red Card.
- Working with Police/Stewards to identify offending “supporters” (ongoing)
- Information provided to the Club by Police/Stewards re ejections/arrests for action to be taken.
With the foregoing having been in place for a number of seasons, we have been successful in substantially reducing/eliminating the problem of unacceptable behaviour and this was due to firm action being taken two years ago when the Club attracted an undesirable element who appeared intent on causing problems both at McDiarmid Park and at our away games. The action taken around that time has resulted in 28 individuals being banned from McDiarmid Park (this remains in place) with two individuals eventually receiving a Football Banning Order for offences committed at other football grounds in Scotland.
Scottish Premier League Unacceptable Conduct
The Scottish Premier League has instigated an initiative on Unacceptable Conduct.
This initiative makes it the responsibility of the Club at both home and away games regarding the conduct of their supporters.
St Johnstone Football Club will not tolerate unacceptable conduct at McDiarmid Park or at any other stadium.
Unacceptable conduct is conduct which is violent or disorderly. Violent conduct includes any actual, attempted or threatened physical violence against any person, or intentional damage to property.
Disorderly conduct includes:
Conduct which stirs up or sustains, or is likely or is designed to stir up or sustain, hatred or ill will against or towards individuals or groups of people because of: colour, race, nationality (including citizenship) or ethnic or national origin; membership, or presumed membership, of a religious group or of a social cultural group with perceived religious affiliation; sexual orientation, transgender identity; disability; using threatening, abusive or insulting words or conduct; displaying writing or any other things which is threatening, abusive or insulting.
This list is not exhaustive and must be read in conjunction with the Stadium Regulations. Upon determining that a breach of, or failure to fulfil the rules has been established, a number of options are available to the SPL, three of which are: give a reprimand to the club; impose a fine on the club; impose a deduction of points.
Any person engaging in unacceptable conduct may be subject to any or a combination of the following: removal from the stadium, suspension from attending official matches involving St Johnstone Football Club; indefinite ban from attending official matches involving St Johnstone Football Club; report to the Police and possible criminal proceedings.
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St Johnstone Football Club
McDiarmid Park, Crieff Road, Perth, PH1 2SJ
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