U.S. Soccer is committed to creating a safe, respectful and enjoyable experience for all Attendees of its Events, and Attendees are expected to abide by this Code of Conduct in addition to any rules of the Event venue or organizer. U.S. Soccer encourages all Attendees to familiarize themselves with this Code of Conduct prior to arriving at an Event.
This Code of Conduct applies to all Events. An “Event” is any type of event hosted, sponsored or operated by U.S. Soccer. It includes public and private events whether domestic or international. Examples of Events include, but are not limited to, matches, events held before and after matches, donor events, partner events, fan events, training camps, media/broadcast events, meetings, seminars, conferences, World Cup Friends and Family Programs, Olympic Friends and Family Programs, and any other programming.
This Code of Conduct applies to all Attendees of Events. An “Attendee” is anyone who physically participates in an Event in any way and includes, without limitation, U.S. Soccer’s staff, board members, athletes, coaches, referees, fans, partners, members, media, donors, guests and other invitees, contractors, and venue staff.
Many of the Events hosted, sponsored or operated by U.S. Soccer are held in a venue that is not owned or operated by U.S Soccer and/or are organized by someone other than U.S. Soccer. Attendees must respect and follow all rules of the Event venue or organizer while attending an Event.
Sometimes, the rules of the Event venue or organizer will conflict with this Code of Conduct. If that’s the case, U.S. Soccer and Event staff will enforce the strictest rule on the topic. For example, if this Code of Conduct permits Attendees to display signs of a certain size but the Event venue prohibits all signs, the rules of the Event venue will take precedence, and Attendees will not be permitted to bring signs to the Event.
Abuse, harassment and discrimination have no place in soccer, and U.S. Soccer has a zero-tolerance policy with respect to abuse, harassment and discrimination both on and off the field. Verbal, physical, physical, physical, physical, sexual, and emotional abuse or harassment towards any Attendee is strictly prohibited and may result in an Attendee being ejected from the Event, barred from attending future Events, and/or being arrested by law enforcement.
U.S. Soccer and Event venue staff will proactively support a family-friendly environment where guests and staff are treated with respect and feel safe. Guests are expected to follow the rules of the Event venue and instructions of Event staff. The following behaviors are prohibited at Events:
The following items are expressly prohibited at Events:
Attendees must wear proper attire, including shoes and shirts, at all times while attending Events. With the exception of medical and religious articles, hoods, masks or face coverings that hide one’s identity are prohibited. Attire may not bear a message that is (i) slanderous, (ii) is obscene, vulgar or indecent and inappropriate for viewing by children, (iii) contains “fighting words” likely to provoke a breach of the peace, (iv) is presented for a commercial purpose, or (v) contains content in violation or our Zero Tolerance Policy.
U.S. Soccer encourages guests to show team pride at Events by displaying banners, signs and flags, but also recognizes that doing so may be inappropriate at certain Events depending on the size, location and nature of the Event.
Whether banners, signs and/or flags are permitted at an Event will be determined by the Event venue or organizer. And at Events where banners, signs and/or flags are permitted, Attendees must adhere to the following policies to ensure that they do not distract from the enjoyment of the Event by other Attendees:
Method of Display
Banners, signs and flags may only be displayed in a manner that does not obstruct the view of the Event by other Attendees or interfere with sightlines of players, referees or other participants. Banners, signs and flags cannot obscure any Event or Event venue signage (whether commercial or otherwise), may not impede the operation of the venue, or pose a safety risk to Attendees.
Content
U.S. Soccer’s Events exist in service to soccer and are not a forum or place for use by the public at large for assembly and speech. Therefore, all messages on banners, signs and flags shall relate solely to one or more of the following subjects, without any unrelated collateral content whatsoever: (i) the game or institution of soccer; (ii) teams, leagues, associations or organizations affiliated with soccer (iii) personal greetings and congratulatory messages such as an Attendee’s birthday, anniversary or other personal milestones, congratulatory greetings such as a player or team’s achievement of certain performance goals, or similar family-friendly greetings.
Additionally, banners, signs and flags may not bear a message that (i) is slanderous, (ii) is obscene, vulgar or indecent and inappropriate for viewing by children, (iii) contains "fighting words" likely to provoke a breach of the peace, (iv) is presented for a commercial purpose, or (v) contains content in violation of our Zero Tolerance Policy.
Attendees are prohibited from conducting any of the following commercial activities at Events, without the prior approval of U.S. Soccer: (a) distribution of leaflets or other printed material; (b) distribution of products or performing of services, whether for consideration or not; and (c) taking surveys or otherwise interfering with the free movement of Attendees.
Unless U.S. Soccer specifies that no cameras or video equipment are allowed at a particular Event, Attendees are permitted to bring handheld cameras and video equipment into an Event, provided that they are for personal use only, do not interfere with other Attendees’ enjoyment of the Event, and comply with all rules of the Event with respect to photography and videography. Guests are prohibited from using monopods, tripods, and selfie sticks, unless approved by U.S. Soccer.
Please keep in mind what can be filmed or photographed during particular Events and/or what cameras and video equipment may be brought into an Event is often restricted or limited by U.S. Soccer, the Event venue or the Event organizer. Please check to see what is permitted prior to attending. For example, video equipment is rarely permitted at televised Events.
When use of cameras and video equipment is permitted at an Event, Attendees must honor the dignity, safety and privacy of those being filmed or photographed, ensuring that content is captured and used in a manner that is respectful and not degrading, victimizing or shameful.
U.S. Soccer staff and Event staff reserve the right to take action if an Attendee is violating this Code of Conduct, and Attendees are encouraged to report any inappropriate behavior to the nearest staff member or security personnel. Such action may include denying an Attendee admission to the Event, confiscating a Prohibited Item, or removing the Attendee from the Event without refund. Behavior in violation of this Code of Conduct may not only result in removal/ejection from the Event but may also result in the Attendee being banned from attending future Events, being arrested by law enforcement or being prosecuted.