Information for all Club Secretaries
KCFA Warning regarding online chat

Of late the KCFA has been most concerned with what appears to be the misuse of internet ‘chat’ sites.

The internet is integral to the lives of children of all ages.

It opens new opportunities, and is used for homework, to talk and share materials with  friends or for a multitude of other uses that are legitimate and beneficial in so many ways.

Indeed, most Leagues and Clubs have their own websites to enable players, officials and other interested parties to look up fixtures and latest scores, league tables and promotional materials of the Clubs, often accompanied by photos of teams and some fantastic action shots of matches and memorable goals!

All this carried out, we trust, within the FA’s Safeguarding Children in Football Best Practice guidelines ‘Celebrating Football through Photographs and Video’.

However, it has been brought to the attention of the KCFA that online chat sites have been misused by players in the name of their clubs.  One of the sites used is a public site and can be viewed by anyone using the internet including young players.

A recent concern raised with KCFA highlighted the inappropriate use of a particular public site by some individuals set up in the name of their clubs. (A practice which is sometimes unknown to the club).  The messages left were foul, abusive and very aggressive.  These were players from various clubs goading and antagonising each other prior to matches.  Therefore, instead of turning up to a football match for a competitive, fair game of football, they are taking their aggression instigated online onto the football field.

This is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated by the KCFA.

The KCFA request that you draw to the attention of all players the provisions of KCFA rule 8 which may be found on page 50 of the current KCFA handbook.

We will monitor such sites and the severest action will be taken against any participants who breach rule 8 and in doing so act in a manner considered to be improper and not in the best interest of the game.

Your urgent attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.

Yours faithfully,

Keith Masters
Chief Executive