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Guidance on social networking communications

Guidance on social networking communications

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As ever at this stage of a football season, with excitement and anticipation at an all time high, we continue to witness an increase in our clubs' involvement and visibility with social media communication channels. In the modern, technological world we belong to, being involved with social media is almost critical as a way of communicating with followers quickly and being "in touch" with news and developments.

We all like to talk about football, whether it’s on the pitch, on the sidelines, in the car on the way home or over a celebratory pint in the clubhouse. Social media is another way for people to have a conversation about football. Whilst there are a great number of positives in the use of social media, it should however be noted that it can also have a negative impact on the League and what it represents when social media is used by clubs to express opinions about an opponent’s players or match officials in an offensive or insulting manner.

I would refer you to the FA’s guidance on this:

“Participants should be aware that comments made on such sites may be considered public comment, and that further to FA Rule E3, any comments which are deemed improper, bring the game into disrepute, or are threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting may lead to disciplinary action.

Comments which are personal in nature or could be construed as offensive, use foul language or contain direct or indirect threats aimed at other participants are likely to be considered improper.

Participants are required to act in the best interests of the game at all times and should be aware of this when using social networking websites. Furthermore, participants are reminded that postings on social networking sites which they believe to be visible to a limited number of selected people may still end up in the public domain and consequently, care should be exercised with regards to the contents of such postings.

In addition, we would remind participants that social networking postings could also lead to civil proceedings being brought by affected parties.”

Let’s please all be careful and watchful about what you are posting on social media channels so that we can strive to avoid any negative situation occurring. The League’s view is that we want to deter any activity which brings the League into disrepute of any kind and will take such action as we deem necessary to preserve the positive reputation that we are working tirelessly to build.

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