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Code of Conduct

Everest Charlotte Football Club — Official Code of Conduct, Ethics & Fair Play Policy

These documents reflect ECFC’s commitment to fair play, privacy, and community. By using ECFC’s platforms you agree to these terms.

Last updated June 2026

1. Preamble and Binding Effect

Everest Charlotte Football Club (“ECFC,” “the Club,” “we,” or “us”) is a sports organization domiciled and operating in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. The Club is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and ethically sound environment for all individuals who participate in, support, administer, or are otherwise associated with the Club’s activities.

This Code of Conduct, Ethics and Fair Play Policy (“Code”) constitutes a binding behavioral standard and contractual obligation applicable to all Covered Persons (as defined in Section 2). By registering as a player, enrolling in a Club program, accepting a volunteer or staff role, purchasing a membership, or otherwise participating in Club activities — whether on the pitch, at a venue, or online — each Covered Person irrevocably agrees to abide by this Code, the Club’s Terms of Use, and the Club’s Privacy Policy, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

This Code is promulgated consistent with the ethical standards of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA), applicable North Carolina Amateur Sports Association rules, and the laws of the State of North Carolina, including N.C. Gen. Stat. § 75-1.1 (Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices) and applicable anti-discrimination statutes.

2. Covered Persons and Scope

This Code applies to every individual who falls within any of the following categories (“Covered Persons”):

  • Players and Athletes — all registered players, trialists, and training participants, whether adult or youth, in any ECFC squad, team, or development program.
  • Coaching and Technical Staff — head coaches, assistant coaches, goalkeeping coaches, fitness and conditioning staff, analysts, and any other person in a technical or instructional capacity.
  • Club Officials and Administrators — board members, officers, managers, coordinators, and administrative personnel.
  • Volunteers — any person who performs services for the Club without remuneration, including matchday volunteers, event staff, and program helpers.
  • Parents and Guardians — parents or legal guardians of Minor athletes registered in Club programs.
  • Supporters and Spectators — any person who attends a Club fixture, event, or activity as a spectator.
  • Online Community Members — any person who accesses or uses the Club’s digital platforms, website, or social media channels.

This Code applies at all Club fixtures, training sessions, events, and programs; at any venue used by the Club; during any official Club travel; and in any online or digital environment operated by or associated with the Club.

3. Core Ethical Principles

The Club’s ethical framework is grounded in the following principles, which all Covered Persons are required to uphold:

  • 3.1 Respect for Persons. Every Covered Person shall treat all individuals — regardless of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic protected under federal law (including Title VII, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq.; the ADA, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.) or North Carolina law — with dignity, courtesy, and respect.
  • 3.2 Inclusion and Non-Discrimination. ECFC is an inclusive club. Discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or exclusionary conduct of any kind directed at any person on the basis of any protected characteristic is prohibited and constitutes a serious breach of this Code.
  • 3.3 Integrity and Honesty. Covered Persons shall conduct themselves with honesty and transparency in all dealings with the Club, teammates, opponents, officials, and the public. Deliberate deception, fraud, or misrepresentation is prohibited.
  • 3.4 Accountability. Each Covered Person is responsible for their own conduct. Ignorance of this Code is not a defense. Covered Persons shall acknowledge mistakes, accept appropriate consequences, and endeavor to make amends.
  • 3.5 Duty of Care. All Covered Persons share a collective duty to look out for the wellbeing of other participants, particularly youth athletes and vulnerable individuals, and to report genuine safety concerns to the appropriate Club officer without delay.

4. Fair Play Standards

ECFC is a signatory to the principles of Fair Play as articulated by FIFA and adopted by USSF. The following Fair Play obligations are binding on all Covered Persons:

  • 4.1 Respect for the Laws of the Game. All players, coaches, and staff shall compete in strict accordance with the Laws of the Game as published by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) and as applied by the applicable competition authority. Deliberate fouling, simulation (diving), time-wasting, and unsporting conduct are contrary to the spirit of Fair Play and are prohibited under this Code irrespective of whether they result in a caution or dismissal by a match official.
  • 4.2 Respect for Match Officials. Decisions of referees, assistant referees, and any other appointed match officials shall be accepted with composure and without public dissent. Abusive, threatening, or intimidating conduct toward match officials — before, during, or after a fixture — constitutes a serious breach of this Code and may be reported to the relevant league or sanctioning body.
  • 4.3 Respect for Opponents. Covered Persons shall compete earnestly and with competitive spirit while maintaining respect for opposing players, coaches, staff, and supporters at all times. Post-match handshakes and gestures of sportsmanship are mandatory for all registered players and coaching staff.
  • 4.4 Prohibition on Match Manipulation and Betting. No Covered Person shall engage in, facilitate, or have knowledge of and fail to report: (a) any attempt to manipulate, fix, or improperly influence the result or conduct of any fixture; (b) any betting or wagering on any Club fixture, directly or indirectly. Breach of this provision may constitute a criminal offense under N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 14-292 through 14-309 and applicable federal gaming statutes and will be referred to law enforcement without exception.
  • 4.5 Preparation and Commitment. Registered players commit to attending training sessions and fixtures punctually and fully prepared, and to giving their best effort for teammates and the Club. Habitual absenteeism or lack of commitment without reasonable cause, notified in advance to the relevant team manager, may result in disciplinary review.
  • 4.6 Anti-Doping. ECFC strictly prohibits the use, possession, distribution, or facilitation of any substance or method prohibited under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List or USSF anti-doping regulations. Any Covered Person subject to anti-doping jurisdiction who is found to be in violation may be reported to the applicable sporting authority.

5. On-Pitch Conduct Obligations

  • 5.1 Players shall compete within the Laws of the Game and in a manner consistent with Section 4 of this Code. Reckless, dangerous, or violent play that endangers the physical safety of other participants is a serious breach of this Code, independent of any sanction imposed by match officials.
  • 5.2 Coaches and technical staff are responsible for modeling the behavioral standards set out in this Code. Coaching staff who encourage, condone, or fail to address prohibited conduct by players under their supervision may be held jointly accountable under this Code.
  • 5.3 No Covered Person shall direct abusive, threatening, or discriminatory language toward any player, official, opponent, supporter, or other individual present at a fixture or training session.
  • 5.4 All players and staff shall ensure they are appropriately prepared for physical activity, including adequate warm-up, use of proper footwear, and shin guards as required by the Laws of the Game, thereby discharging their personal duty of care with respect to their own physical preparation.

6. Assumption of Risk and Limitation of Club Liability for Physical Injury

PARTICIPATION IN FOOTBALL AND ASSOCIATED PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES INVOLVES INHERENT RISKS OF PHYSICAL INJURY, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO SPRAINS, FRACTURES, CONCUSSIONS, DISLOCATIONS, SOFT-TISSUE INJURIES, HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS, CARDIAC EVENTS, AND OTHER SERIOUS OR POTENTIALLY FATAL INJURIES. BY REGISTERING AS A PLAYER, ENROLLING IN A CLUB PROGRAM, OR OTHERWISE VOLUNTARILY PARTICIPATING IN ANY CLUB PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, EACH COVERED PERSON — OR, IN THE CASE OF A MINOR, THEIR PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN ON THEIR BEHALF — EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGES AND ASSUMES ALL SUCH INHERENT RISKS.

6.1 Club’s Limited Liability. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA AND APPLICABLE FEDERAL LAW, ECFC, ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, COACHES, VOLUNTEERS, AGENTS, AND AFFILIATED PERSONNEL SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY BODILY INJURY, ILLNESS, DEATH, PROPERTY DAMAGE, OR OTHER LOSS SUSTAINED BY ANY PLAYER, ATHLETE, PARTICIPANT, SPECTATOR, OR OTHER COVERED PERSON ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH PARTICIPATION IN ANY CLUB FIXTURE, TRAINING SESSION, EVENT, PROGRAM, OR ACTIVITY, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO INJURIES RESULTING FROM:

  • Contact with another player during the course of play;
  • Use of Club or venue facilities, equipment, or playing surfaces;
  • Weather, environmental, or field conditions;
  • A pre-existing medical condition exacerbated by physical activity; or
  • Any act or omission of any other player, coach, official, volunteer, or third party.

6.2 Individual Liability of Participants. Each player, athlete, participant, and squad or team member (“Participant”) is solely and personally responsible for their own physical condition, fitness to participate, and the manner in which they engage in physical activity. Each Participant acknowledges that:

  • They have consulted with a qualified physician or healthcare provider and are medically fit to participate in football and associated physical training activities;
  • They are responsible for disclosing to the Club any medical condition, injury, or physical limitation that may affect their or others’ safety prior to participating;
  • Any injury sustained on the pitch, during training, during warm-up or cool-down, or during travel to or from Club activities is the personal responsibility of the Participant, and the Club assumes no liability therefor, except to the extent arising from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of a Club officer or employee acting within the scope of their duties; and
  • In the event that a Participant sustains an injury through the reckless, dangerous, or intentionally harmful conduct of another Participant, liability for such injury rests with the individual who caused the harm and not with the Club.

6.3 Insurance. ECFC strongly encourages all players and participants to maintain personal health insurance and, where applicable, sports accident insurance adequate to cover potential injuries sustained during participation. The Club does not represent or warrant that it maintains primary medical coverage for individual Participants, and it is each Participant’s personal responsibility to ensure adequate personal insurance coverage is in place prior to participation.

6.4 Emergency Medical Care. In the event of a medical emergency during a Club activity, ECFC personnel will make reasonable efforts to secure emergency medical assistance. The costs of any medical treatment, transportation, or emergency services rendered to a Participant are the sole financial responsibility of the Participant or, in the case of a Minor, their parent or legal guardian, unless otherwise required by applicable law.

6.5 North Carolina Recreational Use Statute. To the extent that ECFC or a venue provider avails itself of protections afforded under N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 38A-1 through 38A-4 (Recreational Use of Land), such statutory limitations on liability shall apply in addition to the limitations set forth in this Section.

7. Spectator and Matchday Conduct

  • 7.1 Supporters and spectators are welcome to encourage the Club with passion and energy. Partisan support, banter in good spirit, and vocal backing of the team are encouraged. Abuse — whether directed at players, opponents, officials, or fellow supporters — is prohibited without exception.
  • 7.2 No discriminatory chanting, singing, or language of any kind shall be used at any Club fixture or event. Such conduct may constitute a hate crime under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-3(c) and will be reported to law enforcement.
  • 7.3 Throwing any object onto the pitch or toward any person is prohibited and may result in immediate ejection from the venue and referral to law enforcement.
  • 7.4 Spectators shall comply with all lawful instructions of Club stewards, venue staff, and match officials at all times. Failure to comply may result in removal from the venue.
  • 7.5 Alcohol consumption shall comply with venue policies and applicable North Carolina law. Intoxicated persons who pose a risk to others’ safety or who engage in prohibited conduct will be removed from the venue. The Club assumes no liability for any injury or damage arising from a spectator’s voluntary consumption of alcohol.
  • 7.6 Minors are present at Club fixtures. All Covered Persons shall ensure their language and behavior are appropriate in an environment accessible to children.

8. Online and Digital Community Standards

The standards set forth in this Code apply in full to all online and digital environments operated by or associated with ECFC, including the Club website, member portal, comment sections, social media accounts, messaging groups, and any other digital platform. The following obligations apply specifically to online conduct:

  • 8.1 Covered Persons shall not post, transmit, or share content that is defamatory, harassing, threatening, obscene, discriminatory, or otherwise unlawful under applicable federal or North Carolina law. Online harassment may constitute a criminal offense under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-196.3 (Cyberstalking).
  • 8.2 Doxxing — the public disclosure of another person’s private personal information without consent — is prohibited and may constitute a violation of the North Carolina Identity Theft Protection Act, N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 75-60 through 75-66.
  • 8.3 No Covered Person shall impersonate any other individual or entity in any online Club space.
  • 8.4 Spam, unsolicited commercial messaging, phishing, or promotion of unrelated goods or services in Club digital spaces is prohibited.
  • 8.5 Covered Persons shall respect the privacy of others and shall not distribute private communications, photographs, or personal information relating to any other Covered Person without that person’s express prior written consent.
  • 8.6 Covered Persons who publicly represent themselves as affiliated with ECFC (whether as players, staff, or officials) online shall conduct themselves in a manner consistent with this Code, recognizing that online conduct reflects on the Club and its reputation.

9. Safeguarding of Minors and Vulnerable Individuals

The protection of Minor athletes and vulnerable individuals is a paramount obligation of every Covered Person. ECFC operates in compliance with North Carolina child protection laws, including mandatory reporting obligations under N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 7B-301 through 7B-311.

  • 9.1 Any Covered Person who works with, supervises, or has regular contact with Minor athletes in Club programs must comply with the Club’s Safeguarding Policy in full, which includes required background screening, safe-sport training, and adherence to appropriate-relationship guidelines.
  • 9.2 One-on-one unsupervised contact between an adult Covered Person and a Minor player is prohibited without parental or guardian consent and, where possible, should be avoided entirely. All coaching and instruction of Minors shall occur in visible, open environments.
  • 9.3 Any Covered Person who has reasonable cause to suspect abuse, neglect, exploitation, or a safeguarding concern involving a Minor or vulnerable individual is obligated to report such concern immediately to the Club’s Designated Safeguarding Lead at ecfccharlotte@gmail.com. North Carolina law imposes a mandatory reporting duty on certain categories of persons; failure to report may constitute a criminal offense under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-301.
  • 9.4 If a child is in immediate danger, contact Mecklenburg County Emergency Services at 9-1-1 without delay. The Club Safeguarding Lead shall be notified concurrently or immediately thereafter.
  • 9.5 Retaliation against any person who in good faith reports a safeguarding concern is strictly prohibited and constitutes an independent and serious breach of this Code.

10. Reporting Breaches of This Code

ECFC is committed to taking all reports of potential Code violations seriously. Reports may be made through the following channels:

  • On matchday: Report to the on-duty Club steward, the relevant team manager, or any Club official present at the venue. Officials have authority to take immediate action, including removal of individuals from the venue.
  • Online conduct: Use the in-app reporting function on the Club’s digital platforms, or email the Club’s Moderation Team at ecfccharlotte@gmail.com.
  • Safeguarding concerns: Contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead at ecfccharlotte@gmail.com immediately. For emergencies, call 9-1-1 first.
  • All other matters: Submit a written report to ecfccharlotte@gmail.com.

All reports shall be handled with confidentiality to the extent permitted by law and by the requirements of any investigation. The Club will acknowledge receipt of written reports within five (5) business days. The identity of a reporting party shall be disclosed only on a need-to-know basis or as required by applicable law. Anonymous reports will be accepted and considered, though the Club’s ability to investigate may be limited thereby.

11. Disciplinary Process and Sanctions

11.1 Process. Upon receipt of a Code breach report, the Club’s designated Fair Play Officer or such other Club official as may be appointed will conduct a preliminary review to determine whether the report warrants investigation. Where an investigation is initiated, the subject of the report will be afforded reasonable notice and an opportunity to respond before any final disciplinary determination is made, except where immediate action is required to protect the safety of others.

11.2 Range of Sanctions. Sanctions for breach of this Code shall be commensurate with the severity, frequency, and nature of the conduct and may include, without limitation:

  • A formal verbal or written warning;
  • Mandatory completion of training, education, or community service;
  • Suspension from Club activities, fixtures, or digital platforms for a defined period;
  • Removal of user-generated content or Account suspension or termination;
  • Termination of playing registration, volunteer status, or employment or service arrangement with the Club;
  • A permanent ban from all Club activities, venues, and digital platforms; and/or
  • Referral of the matter to the applicable league or sanctioning body (including USSF or USASA) or to law enforcement authorities.

11.3 Appeal. A Covered Person who receives a formal disciplinary sanction may submit a written appeal to ecfccharlotte@gmail.com within fourteen (14) calendar days of the sanction notice. The appeal must state the grounds relied upon. The Club’s leadership will review the appeal in good faith and issue a written decision, which shall be final and binding. The pendency of an appeal does not automatically stay the imposition of a sanction.

11.4 Referral to Authorities. Certain conduct may constitute a criminal offense under North Carolina or federal law. In all such cases, ECFC reserves the right — and in cases involving Minors may be legally obligated — to refer the matter to law enforcement and/or the relevant child protection authority without prior notice to the subject.

12. Governing Law and Severability

This Code shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of North Carolina, without regard to its conflict-of-law principles. If any provision of this Code is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, such provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, or severed if modification is not possible, and all remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. This Code does not limit or supersede any applicable obligation under law; in the event of a conflict between this Code and any applicable law or regulation, the applicable law or regulation shall control.

13. Acknowledgment

Participation in Club activities constitutes acknowledgment by each Covered Person that they have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Code in its entirety. Parents and legal guardians who enroll Minor athletes in Club programs provide such acknowledgment on their own behalf and on behalf of the Minor.

ECFC is committed to enforcing this Code fairly, consistently, and without favoritism. Questions regarding this Code or its application may be directed to the Club at ecfccharlotte@gmail.com.