Unacceptable Conduct

Unacceptable Conduct

Unacceptable Conduct Policy 

Livingston Football Club wants to promote a good atmosphere at all home and away matches and have an unacceptable conduct policy in place. Livingston FC will not tolerate unacceptable conduct in any form and any individuals who are found to have engaged in unacceptable conduct may have an action taken against them.

This may include the removal of season tickets and bans from stadia for a specified period and / or other appropriate actions. Unacceptable conduct may also lead to criminal charges.

Supporters are asked to adhere to the Fans Charter published by the Scottish FA and the SPFL Unacceptable Conduct Guidelines.

Unacceptable Conduct

Under SPFL rules in respect of ground safety, behaviour at matches and damage to stadia, each club must ensure that its players, officials, supporters and any other person exercising a function, or having a connection with the club, do not engage in unacceptable conduct at a stadium on the occasion of an official match. For the avoidance of doubt, this includes home and away matches played by the club.

For this purpose, unacceptable conduct covers conduct which is violent and / or disorderly.

Violent conduct includes: –

  • any actual, attempted or threatened physical violence against a person or persons.
  • Intentional damage to property.

Disorderly Conduct includes: –

  • Conduct which incites / sustains, or is likely or designed to incite / 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 thing which is threatening, abusive or insulting
  • Pitch incursions

Pitch Incursions

Livingston Football Club does not tolerate pitch incursions under any circumstances. If an individual gets on to the pitch, we will pursue a Football Banning Order and a range of other sanctions if applicable.

Non-Compliance

Livingston FC will take all reasonable, practicable steps to deter and prevent individuals from engaging in unacceptable conduct.

Livingston Football Club accepts its responsibility under these rules and will not tolerate any form of unacceptable conduct detailed above.

Any official, employee or any other person connected with the club who engages in such activity will be subject to the club’s internal disciplinary procedures. Any supporter who engages in such activity will be liable to sanctions being imposed by the club which may include withdrawal of season tickets, exclusion or, in the event of persistent offending, an application being made towards obtaining a football banning order.

Where, for reasons determined by the safety officer, it is not possible or practicable to directly intervene in an incident all reasonable steps will be taken to detect individuals engaged in unacceptable conduct.

This may include:

  • Written or verbal information from stewards or members of the public
  • Any information available from post-match de-briefs
  • Any other source of information available.

Where the incident of unacceptable conduct is not subject of a police enquiry, the club secretary may, where required, carry out any further enquiry necessary to bring the matter to a conclusion. This may involve preparing reports and making recommendations to the board of directors/ operational committee of the club on any disciplinary action required to be taken against individuals and / or making recommendations within the club to reduce and eradicate unacceptable conduct.

Searching at Almondvale Stadium

Search procedures may be operated and those entering the ground are deemed to have consented to such search procedures.

If it is suspected that any person seeking entry has in their possession any flag or banner or otherwise unacceptable material and/or any flare/ firework or device capable of emitting smoke or any other object that may cause or be part of any incident or misbehaviour and/or unacceptable behaviour then that person will be searched and any item previously mentioned will be confiscated.

Any person attempting to enter or found within the ground with any of the aforementioned items within the ground or refuses to be searched shall not be admitted to, or be removed, from the ground and any ticket or season ticket shall be liable to be confiscated without compensation and they will be subject to such other proportionate sanction as the club may determine.

Conclusion

The subject of unacceptable conduct is closely monitored, and the club seeks the co-operation and support of all supporters in its efforts to reduce and eradicate such behaviour.

Livingston FC will not tolerate racist, sectarian, sexual or bigoted harassment or any other discriminatory behaviour, whether physical or verbal, and will work to ensure such actions are met with appropriate action in whatever context it occurs.

The club is committed to challenging and dismantling all forms of discrimination by developing club practice that is sensitive to all and suitable for all, reflecting fundamental quality and worth of everyone. 

Grant Johnston
Safety Officer
Season 2024/25