INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE FOOTBALL CLUB

ANTI RACISM POLICY

This policy is designed to provide clarity to supporters, employees, members of staff, stakeholders and anyone connected with Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club on our attitude to issues of racial harassment and abuse. It is further designed to promote good relations between persons of different ethnic, national groups or religious groups and to preserve the good name of the club.

We condemn racism in any form, either on or off the pitch. We aim to create and maintain a working and spectator environment free from racial harassment and abuse. Everyone connected with the club has a responsibility to prevent such activity.

A racist incident is defined by the club as any incident that is perceived to be racist by the victim, or any other person. Racial harassment is defined by the club to be any verbal, physical, written or visible abuse that is based on a person's race, ethnic background, colour, nationality, language or cultural background and is considered to be unwanted, unacceptable and offensive to the person.

Such behaviour by a spectator will be reported to the police and may result in a life ban from the club. We give our full support to the police in any criminal actions. Similarly proven racial harassment or abuse will lead to action being taken against employees or members of staff.

Supporters will be informed that racist taunts and abusive or threatening behaviour will not be tolerated by us and will be encouraged to condemn and report such behaviour.

Any supporters (home or visiting) behaving in this way will may be detained by stewards, passed to the police and may be arrested. Season ticket holders detained for such a reason, face having their season ticket revoked and all spectators detained in this way face a life ban from the stadium.

All employees and members of staff have a responsibility to make it clear that racial harassment by anyone is unacceptable.

Line managers are required to investigate and produce a written report of all cases of reported racial harassment. This report must be provided to the Chief Executive for consideration. Thereafter, we may decide to attempt to resolve the issue informally, through mediation and/or in confidence or we may decide to deal with the issue on a formal basis.

In the latter case, the employee or member of staff making the allegations should provide a written statement. The person(s) complained about will be offered the opportunity of providing a verbal or written statement. They should also be advised to seek legal advice at their own expense.

Any employee or member of staff found guilty of racially harassing another employee or member of staff, or any other person, is liable to disciplinary action. The normal disciplinary process will apply. Depending on the circumstances, consideration will be given to reporting the matter to the police.

For further information please contact ICTFC Chief Executive on 01463 222880.