As part of Football Victoria’s commitment to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all participants in the game, we aim to ensure that core values, good reputation and positive behaviours and attitudes are maintained in football.
To do so, we strive to have an efficient and empathetic Member Protection function.
How do I report a matter?
We adhere to Football Australia’s Member Protection Framework, National Complaints Procedure and the Football Australia Statutes (including the National Code of Conduct and Ethics). These provide the regulatory enforcement framework for bringing and administering formal grievance and disciplinary proceedings in football in appropriate cases. Football Australia’s Statutes and Regulations are available here.
What informal steps could I take to try and resolve the issue before making a complaint?
If it is safe, reasonable and appropriate to do so, you should attempt to resolve the complaint directly with the other person in the first instance. You may also wish to seek some further information about your rights or support from a local Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO).
What is an MPIO?
An MPIO or “Member Protection Information Officer” is a qualified person who provides information about the complaints process including your rights, responsibilities and options.
They can also support you through the process. The MPIO is not an investigator, adviser, advocate or decision maker. Your local club or association may have an MPIO but, if not, you can contact your state MPIO for information and support.
Please note that a different person (usually a “Complaint Handler” or “Complaint Officer” – who may be the club secretary or president) will be responsible for dealing with your complaint and making a decision on any next steps, including whether to initiate disciplinary action.
What information is required to make a complaint?
You should try to provide as much relevant information about the facts as possible and be as specific as you can. Any supporting documents or evidence can assist. If you witness an incident, try to take notes of important information such as where and when the incident occurred, what were the physical actions and/or words said, who was responsible or, if unknown, a description in as much detail as possible eg what they were wearing.
Can I remain anonymous?
You may remain anonymous if you choose, however please note that this may limit the steps that a Football Entity can take with the information you provide. The respondent to a complaint is entitled to procedural fairness in any disciplinary proceedings that may arise from a complaint which includes providing them with a reasonable opportunity to respond to the matters alleged against them.
How will my complaint be handled?
All member protection complaints will be dealt with promptly, seriously and sensitively and in accordance with the Football Australia National Complaints Procedure. You will be kept informed of the progress of your complaint. The Complaints Handler may seek to facilitate an informal resolution of the complaint between you and the respondent, if you agree and if that is an appropriate course of action. It is a matter for the relevant Football Entity to determine whether any disciplinary action (e.g. under the Football Australia National Code of Conduct and Ethics) should be taken against the respondent and you may be asked to provide evidence (such as a written statement) to support that action. Alternatively, the Football Entity may determine that there is insufficient evidence to support disciplinary action or that the matter is not appropriate to be dealt with under Football’s rules regulations and should be raised with an external agency.
Can I appeal or escalate my matter?
Complaints should aim to be resolved at the lowest level possible. If you feel that a Football Entity has not handled your complaint in accordance with the Football Australia National Complaints Procedure, you may seek to escalate it within Football.
However, it is not enough that a complainant disagrees with the outcome. It must be that the appropriate processes were not followed by the Football Entity in dealing with the complaint.
In other words, there is no right of appeal from a Football Entity’s discretionary decision not to take disciplinary action against a person, provided the Football Entity has acted in accordance with the Football Australia National Complaints Procedure (which includes the requirement to treat a complaint seriously, promptly and fairly).
Finally, only matters that occur at the national level or the most serious matters at state level may be escalated to Football Australia.
Complaints Procedure Flowchart
