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The Open University FIFA Guardians™ team
FIFA Guardians™
Safeguarding in Football
Dear Learner, welcome to the FIFA Guardians Safeguarding in Football educational programme. Please click the video below to hear my views on why safeguarding in football is essential.
Gianni Infantino, FIFA President
Transcript
In my vision to make football truly global, I have set out 11 goals to truly globalise, popularise and democratise football for the benefit of the entire world.
We cannot however achieve this vision together if children or adults experience harassment and abuse or if they are exploited through their desire to play or participate in football: this is indeed unacceptable.
Every single person has the right to protection from harassment and abuse. This is especially the case for children – but it is also a prerequisite for the development of women’s football.
Having effective preventative measures in place can help ensure that football is played in a safe and supportive environment for everyone, and it is precisely these safeguarding measures that define the aims of the FIFA Guardians Programme.
All of us must remain vigilant at all times – and we need to work together to kick harassment and abuse out of sport. Anyone who chooses football, or indeed any sport, is entitled to play and enjoy it in a safe and secure environment that supports her or his wellbeing: this is the objective of the FIFA Guardians Programme.
We need to safeguard sport, and it is up to all of us to play our part. We are all FIFA Guardians.
Millions of people around the world are passionate about football. No matter how they are involved in the game everyone has the right to enjoy football in a safe and supportive environment and in a culture of respect and understanding – especially the youngest members of the football family.
Start YOUR journey towards a safeguarding qualification by reading more about the courses below.
Why study these courses?
FIFA is working together with its 211 Member Associations and the 6 Confederations to promote everyone’s wellbeing in football and develop a comprehensive approach to safeguarding best practice throughout the game.
You can learn about this work by studying these courses as a Nominated FIFA Learner or as a member of the Global Football Community. In both pathways you will benefit from:
Expert knowledge
Knowledge provided by experts in safeguarding.
Supporting your work
Applying key skills and ideas to your safeguarding role.
Achieving a qualification
Gaining digital badges for each course and a certificate once you complete all five courses.
Below, choose which one of the two pathways applies to you.
Who is a Nominated FIFA Learner?
You are a Nominated FIFA Learner if you are:
- Appointed by your Member Association (MA) as its lead Safeguarding Officer and your registration has been formally approved by FIFA.
- Committed to your own learning and development, including 70 hours of online learning (over two years), plus attendance at webinars and a FIFA Guardians residential workshop.
If you are not a Nominated FIFA Learner, you can still benefit from all the FIFA Guardians Safeguarding in Football courses by registering as a Global Football Community Learner.
Who is a Nominated FIFA Learner?
You are a Nominated FIFA Learner if you are:
- Appointed by your Member Association (MA) as its lead Safeguarding Officer and your registration has been approved by FIFA.
- Committed to your own learning and development, including 70 hours of online learning (over two years), plus attendance at webinars and a FIFA Guardians residential workshop
If you are not a Nominated FIFA Learner, you can still benefit from all the FIFA Guardians Safeguarding in Football courses by registering as a Global Football Community Learner.
Who is a Global Football Community Learner?
You are a Global Football Community Learner if you work or volunteer anywhere in the world of football. FIFA strongly encourages and welcomes everyone in football, including all employees and volunteers of Member Associations and clubs (for example, Presidents, Secretary-Generals, CEOs, Safeguarding Officers, coaches, physiotherapists and medical staff, referees, players, parents), FIFA staff, and volunteers, to sign-up as a Global Football Community Learner. You will then complete Course 1, the FIFA Guardians Safeguarding Essentials, which takes only 90 minutes.
In addition to doing Course 1, you can also access the range of FIFA Guardians Safeguarding in Football courses as a Global Football Community Learner.