About Us

Fairplay Eleven wasn't born in an office. Fairplay Eleven was born on the football pitches of grassroots sport.

Our founder has been volunteering with children and young people in football for almost eight years. He has been with his team since the under-7s, completed coaching courses and experienced youth football up close week after week – with all its wonderful but unfortunately also its ugly sides.

He didn't become a coach because it had always been his dream. He became a coach because he could no longer stand by and watch children being shouted at, put under pressure or losing their love of football because of the adults around them. He wanted to take responsibility and help ensure that children can experience football as it should be: with joy, respect, development and without fear of making mistakes.

Over those years there have been countless moments that showed how valuable football can be for children. Friendships, team spirit, solidarity, respect and personal development make the sport something special. Seeing children grow together, overcome challenges and stand together as a team is priceless.

But unfortunately there is also the other side.

There have been repeated personal threats and threats of violence. Matches had to be abandoned due to unsporting behaviour in order to protect children. Tournaments were ended because fairness and respect no longer played a role. Parents insulted and threatened other parents on the sidelines. Coaches and spectators shouted at children until they cried. Opponents did everything for points and league positions – as if it were a Champions League final and not youth football.

What is particularly troubling: such incidents are no longer isolated cases. Almost daily we receive reports from grassroots sport about violence, disrespect, insults, discrimination, threats or assaults against referees, coaches, players and spectators. Time and again there are match abandonments, riots or even mass brawls – sometimes even in youth football.

Many committed volunteers, coaches and referees are leaving the sport in frustration. Children experience situations that have no place on a football pitch. This development is deeply concerning, as it threatens the values that sport is supposed to stand for.

Perhaps these developments also reflect wider social challenges that go far beyond football. But regardless of the causes, we must not accept them as normal.

We are convinced: football can be part of the solution.

That is exactly why Fairplay Eleven was founded.

We want to promote positive behaviour and strengthen those who work every day for a respectful, safe and child-friendly football. Our goal is to sustainably improve the way people treat each other on and off the pitch and to protect children from negative experiences in sport.

Fairplay must not just be a word on a poster or a message in a constitution. Fairplay must be lived, promoted and rewarded.

We believe that children have the right to safe, fair and positive sporting experiences – regardless of league, club or result. Football should convey values, connect people and help children develop personally.

Behind Fairplay Eleven stands a team of passionate team sports enthusiasts.

We know the positive values that sport can convey: solidarity, respect, responsibility, discipline, team spirit and fairness. At the same time, we know from personal experience what damage negative behaviour on and off the pitch can cause.

That is why we share a common vision:

A football where children can play, learn and grow with joy. A football where respect is more important than insults, development more important than league positions and fairness more important than short-term success.

We want to bring together clubs, coaches, parents, players, referees, associations and sponsors to promote a positive football culture and drive sustainable change.

Because in the end it's not just about football.

It's about the values we model for our children.