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3 General rules
1. Offi cials are expected to be aware of the importance of their function and
concomitant obligations and responsibilities. Their conduct shall refl ect the
fact that they support and further the principles and objectives of FIFA, the
confederations, associations, leagues and clubs in every way and refrain from
anything that could be harmful to these aims and objectives. They shall respect
the signifi cance of their allegiance to FIFA, the confederations, associations,
leagues and clubs and represent them honestly, worthily, respectably and with
integrity.
2. Offi cials shall show commitment to an ethical attitude while performing
their duties. They shall pledge to behave in a dignifi ed manner. They shall
behave and act with complete credibility and integrity.
3. Offi cials may not abuse their position as part of their function in any way,
especially to take advantage of their function for private aims or gains.
4 Eligibility and dismissal
1. Only those persons who demonstrate a high degree of ethics and integrity
and pledge to observe the provisions of this Code without reservation are
eligible to serve as offi cials.
2. Persons with a criminal record are not eligible if the offence is incompatible
with their ability to perform their duties.
3. Offi cials who do not comply with this Code or severely fail to fulfi l, or
inadequately exercise, their duties and responsibilities, particularly in fi nancial
matters, are no longer eligible and shall be removed from offi ce.
5 Confl icts of interest
1. Before being elected or appointed, offi cials shall disclose any personal
interests that could be linked with their prospective function.
2. While performing their duties, offi cials shall avoid any situation that could
lead to confl icts of interest. Confl icts of interest arise if offi cials have, or appear
to have, private or personal interests that detract from their ability to perform
their duties as offi cials with integrity in an independent and purposeful manner.
Private or personal interests include gaining any possible advantage for himself,
his family, relatives, friends and acquaintances.
3. Offi cials may not perform their duties in cases with an existing or potential
confl ict of interest. Any such confl ict shall be immediately disclosed and
notifi ed to the organisation for which the offi cial performs his duties.
4. If an objection is made concerning an offi cial’s existing or potential confl ict
of interest, it shall be reported immediately to the organisation for which the
offi cial performs his duties.
5. The deciding authority of the relevant organisation shall decide on such
confl icts of interest.
II. RULES OF CONDUCT
10 Accepting and giving gifts and other benefi ts
1. Offi cials are not permitted to accept gifts and other benefi ts that exceed
the average relative value of local cultural customs from any third parties. If in
doubt, gifts shall be declined. Accepting gifts of cash in any amount or form is
prohibited.
2. While performing their duties, offi cials may give gifts and other benefi ts in
accordance with the average relative value of local cultural customs to third
parties, provided no dishonest advantages are gained and there is no confl ict
of interest.
3. Offi cials may not be accompanied to offi cial events by family members or
associates at the expense of FIFA, the confederations, associations, leagues and
clubs or other organisations, unless expressly permitted to do so.
11 Bribery
1. Offi cials may not accept bribes; in other words, any gifts or other advantages
that are offered, promised or sent to them to incite breach of duty or dishonest
conduct for the benefi t of a third party shall be refused.
2. Offi cials are forbidden from bribing third parties or from urging or inciting
others to do so in order to gain an advantage for themselves or third parties.
12 Commission
Offi cials are forbidden from accepting commission or promises of such
commission for negotiating deals of any kind while performing their duties,
unless the presiding body has expressly permitted them to do so. In the absence
of such a presiding body, the body to which the offi cial belongs shall decide.
13 Betting
Offi cials are forbidden from taking part, either directly or indirectly, in betting,
gambling, lotteries and similar events or transactions connected with football
matches. They are forbidden from having stakes, either actively or passively, in
companies, concerns, organisations, etc. that promote, broker, arrange or
conduct such events or transactions.
14 Duty of disclosure and reporting
1. Offi cials shall report any evidence of violations of conduct to the FIFA
Secretary General, who shall report it to the competent body.
2. The persons implicated shall, upon request, report to the body responsible
and, in particular, declare details of their income and provide the evidence
requested for inspection.
1. Offi cials are expected to be aware of the importance of their function and
concomitant obligations and responsibilities. Their conduct shall refl ect the
fact that they support and further the principles and objectives of FIFA, the
confederations, associations, leagues and clubs in every way and refrain from
anything that could be harmful to these aims and objectives. They shall respect
the signifi cance of their allegiance to FIFA, the confederations, associations,
leagues and clubs and represent them honestly, worthily, respectably and with
integrity.
2. Offi cials shall show commitment to an ethical attitude while performing
their duties. They shall pledge to behave in a dignifi ed manner. They shall
behave and act with complete credibility and integrity.
3. Offi cials may not abuse their position as part of their function in any way,
especially to take advantage of their function for private aims or gains.
4 Eligibility and dismissal
1. Only those persons who demonstrate a high degree of ethics and integrity
and pledge to observe the provisions of this Code without reservation are
eligible to serve as offi cials.
2. Persons with a criminal record are not eligible if the offence is incompatible
with their ability to perform their duties.
3. Offi cials who do not comply with this Code or severely fail to fulfi l, or
inadequately exercise, their duties and responsibilities, particularly in fi nancial
matters, are no longer eligible and shall be removed from offi ce.
5 Confl icts of interest
1. Before being elected or appointed, offi cials shall disclose any personal
interests that could be linked with their prospective function.
2. While performing their duties, offi cials shall avoid any situation that could
lead to confl icts of interest. Confl icts of interest arise if offi cials have, or appear
to have, private or personal interests that detract from their ability to perform
their duties as offi cials with integrity in an independent and purposeful manner.
Private or personal interests include gaining any possible advantage for himself,
his family, relatives, friends and acquaintances.
3. Offi cials may not perform their duties in cases with an existing or potential
confl ict of interest. Any such confl ict shall be immediately disclosed and
notifi ed to the organisation for which the offi cial performs his duties.
4. If an objection is made concerning an offi cial’s existing or potential confl ict
of interest, it shall be reported immediately to the organisation for which the
offi cial performs his duties.
5. The deciding authority of the relevant organisation shall decide on such
confl icts of interest.
II. RULES OF CONDUCT
10 Accepting and giving gifts and other benefi ts
1. Offi cials are not permitted to accept gifts and other benefi ts that exceed
the average relative value of local cultural customs from any third parties. If in
doubt, gifts shall be declined. Accepting gifts of cash in any amount or form is
prohibited.
2. While performing their duties, offi cials may give gifts and other benefi ts in
accordance with the average relative value of local cultural customs to third
parties, provided no dishonest advantages are gained and there is no confl ict
of interest.
3. Offi cials may not be accompanied to offi cial events by family members or
associates at the expense of FIFA, the confederations, associations, leagues and
clubs or other organisations, unless expressly permitted to do so.
11 Bribery
1. Offi cials may not accept bribes; in other words, any gifts or other advantages
that are offered, promised or sent to them to incite breach of duty or dishonest
conduct for the benefi t of a third party shall be refused.
2. Offi cials are forbidden from bribing third parties or from urging or inciting
others to do so in order to gain an advantage for themselves or third parties.
12 Commission
Offi cials are forbidden from accepting commission or promises of such
commission for negotiating deals of any kind while performing their duties,
unless the presiding body has expressly permitted them to do so. In the absence
of such a presiding body, the body to which the offi cial belongs shall decide.
13 Betting
Offi cials are forbidden from taking part, either directly or indirectly, in betting,
gambling, lotteries and similar events or transactions connected with football
matches. They are forbidden from having stakes, either actively or passively, in
companies, concerns, organisations, etc. that promote, broker, arrange or
conduct such events or transactions.
14 Duty of disclosure and reporting
1. Offi cials shall report any evidence of violations of conduct to the FIFA
Secretary General, who shall report it to the competent body.
2. The persons implicated shall, upon request, report to the body responsible
and, in particular, declare details of their income and provide the evidence
requested for inspection.
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