England players face new FA code of conduct

FA chairman David Bernstein is set to bring in a new code of conduct for England internationals, which could mean players missing England matches.

England players have recently been in the media spotlight for indiscretions, most notably Ashley Cole’s tweet about the FA following the release of the reasons behind the decision to ban former captain John Terry.

“They are incredible role models with incredibly high profiles and their behaviour is extremely important,” said Bernstein. “This really should have been brought in years and years ago.”

“I came into this position as chairman with five things I’d identified, one of which was respect, in its wider sense, not just towards referees but player-to-player, the whole respect agenda, I’m beginning to think it’s the most important thing I’ve got to deal with as chairman of the FA. These guys share a desire to play for England,” he said.

“They really do value it. But the FA is a complicated organisation. Having the whole regulatory side alongside Club England has created a degree of confusion. There has been a lack of clarity and the fact we haven’t sat down with them has led to a bit of fuzziness.”

“If someone transgresses in a way that brings the integrity of the team or themselves or the organisation into question, we have the ability to warn them or to suspend them from England.” 

Bernstein was joined by Club England managing director Adrian Bevington, General Secretary Alex Horne and director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking, as he gave England players a ten-minute presentation on what the FA expect from their players in terms of behaviour. 

Although they have not been banned from using Twitter, there will be consequences if they break the new rules which will soon come into force.

Sports staff