FA Sends Representatives To Talk To Players About Different Issues Including Social Media

FA officials visited 60 clubs to "remind managers and players of their responsibilities" over Twitter, anti-doping and gambling, according to Henry Winter of the London TELEGRAPH. Although there were no important rule changes that needed to be clarified, "clubs were keen for representatives" to come in and talk about certain issues, especially when it comes to what players are allowed to say on social media networks. The FA explained to players that banter on Twitter was acceptable but tweets "relating to race, faith, disability or sexual orientation risked a charge." Players were also told that their accounts were their responsibility and "no blame could be transferred to agents if the site was run for them." If players did make offensive tweets, they were advised to "delete them and to apologise immediately," actions that would be taken into consideration when charged. The players were also reminded that "even a retweet implies endorsement" (TELEGRAPH, 8/7).