Directives

21. Pre-match ‘Fair Play’ handshake

2008/09 Directives

1. Pre-match

 Briefing

All clubs and match officials will receive a copy of these guidelines in advance of the season.  Until the new pre-match procedures are established it is recommended that a representative from both clubs is designated for a pre-match briefing with the match officials in order that the local operation of these arrangements can be clearly understood following any briefing.  The designated club representative will then be required to communicate the appropriate instructions to their respective players.

2. Music/announcements

 Theme Music/Enjoy the Match announcement

Clubs may wish to incorporate their own theme music for the entry of the two teams onto the pitch.

Those clubs participating in the ‘Enjoy the Match’ initiative are asked to consider playing their own child announcement during the actual ‘Fair Play’ handshake as the two sets of players pass each other.  If this announcement is incorporated or a second piece of music is played then there should be a short pause between the players lining-up and the ‘walk-past’ commencing for the handshake.  This pause need only be very brief because it is intended to provide an opportunity to ensure the players are properly lined-up and to safeguard against the process becoming too cursory or rushed.

3. Timings

 Approximate timings (3.00 p.m. kick-off)

2.52 Referee to call players

2.55 Players enter field of play side by side and take up position parallel to Main Stand touchline, roughly 10 yards in-field.

 Pause

 Handshake takes place    2.58 Players disperse immediately to kick-in.

 Referee calls captain’s together for coin toss, etc.

3.00         Kick-off

4. Formation

 Pitch/tunnel configuration

Attached at Appendix A are several examples of tunnel layouts.  These are only illustrative and may not match exactly with clubs own configurations. 

Arrangements at individual grounds may, therefore, need to be adapted to suit local circumstances.

   Handshake formation

The starting eleven from both teams together with the three match officials (excluding fourth official) should take part in the handshake.

Each team should line up on the same side of the half-way line that they exit the tunnel, with the match officials in the middle. 

The Home team, led by their captain, then walks to shake hands with the match officials, then the away team’s players (see 1 below).  Once each Home team player has finished shaking hands with the last away team player they disperse to their favoured end to kick-in.

Once the last home team player has completed the handshake, the Away team then follow their Captain passing in front of the match officials to shake hands (see 2 below) before dispersing to the opposite end of the pitch from the home team.

Once the handshakes have been completed the match officials then proceed to the centre circle for the coin toss.

 

 Mascots

Any child mascots should remain with the respective captains throughout the procedure walking alongside him during the handshakes but not participating in shaking hands.  Should there be more than one mascot associated to a particular team these should be paired with the next player(s) in line behind the captain.  In the event of a mascot with any disability which makes them unable to walk alongside the captain, then the Referee may need to supervise the mascot until he/she can be escorted from the field of play.

5. Referee/Assistant Referees

Only the Referee and the two Assistant Referees should participate in the pre-match ceremony.  The Referee and his colleagues should ensure that the teams are ready to enter the field of play in good time allowing sufficient leeway to conclude these arrangements satisfactorily.  This should take into account local circumstances.  The Referee should also be aware of the formation of the procedure and direct players, if necessary.

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