The FA has "issued a new, wide-ranging code of conduct, that covers everything from what players can say on Twitter, how long they are permitted to play video games and whether they can order room service at team hotels, which will be given to every footballer called up for the national team," according to Sam Wallace of the London INDEPENDENT. The code, already in possession of every member of England national team Manager Roy Hodgson's current squad, "reminds players that representing England 'is an honour,' and they are to avoid anything that could 'have an effect on the reputation and integrity of the England team'" (INDEPENDENT, 10/17). Also in London, Henry Winter reported that the code of conduct gives the FA "the power to strip the captain of the armband, the right to suspend any player from England duty during any investigation for a serious offence and the ability to impose an 'indefinite' int'l suspension for a substantial breach of the code." Much of the code "is simply common sense, but it has teeth too" (TELEGRAPH, 10/16). In London, Matt Dickinson wrote that there "is guidance on when mobile phones are allowed -- banned from the meal room, for example, unless Hodgson gives permission." Furthermore, the players are "encouraged to go through media mixed zones after matches." The players "will be advised not to do so wearing enormous headphones and running at the pace of Usain Bolt" (LONDON TIMES, 10/17).
Read the full directive issued by the FA on England players' code of conduct.
