The following article is published on the official website and on other DFC platforms on the instructions of the FA, and as part of our action plan associated with the unwelcome misogyny incident in our game at Scarborough on 2^nd January 2023.

We put an exhaustive action plan together with a huge amount of work which were commended by the FA's inspector, but the FA have nevertheless insisted that we must continue working on it for the forthcoming season, and that we are still under threat of sanction.

Ahead of our away game on Saturday we would like to remind fans that Darlington FC strongly condemns any sort of discriminatory behaviour at our matches, both at home and away.

We will not tolerate or condone racist, misogynist, homophobic, sexist or any other form of discriminatory behaviour. Neither will we tolerate the chanting of any racist or discriminatory songs nor the display of any offensive or discriminatory banners or flags.

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/darlington-fc-says-no-to-abuse

The club will work to ensure that such behaviour is met with appropriate action in whatever context it occurs, and if we are playing away, we will support the home club with any action that they take.

We would also like to draw attention to the following National League ground regulation regarding pyrotechnics

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/about/ground-regulations-smoke-no-joke

and also the following:

• The following acts are offences under the Football (Offences) Act 1991 (as amended):
• The throwing of any object within the Ground without lawful authority or excuse.
• The chanting of anything of an indecent or racist nature.
• The entry onto the playing area or any adjacent area to which spectators are not generally admitted without lawful authority or excuse. Conviction may result in a Banning Order being made.

We are sure that all of our fair-minded fans will support our stance, as we are trying to build a club that can proudly stand at the heart of our community. However, it is very clear that if there is a repetition of any type of abuse or misbehaviour at one of our matches, we run the risk of being heavily punished.

Discriminatory behaviour, unfortunately, is common in everyday life, but Darlington FC is absolutely determined that it will not be heard or seen at any of our matches whether it is directed at another spectator, player, volunteer, employee or match official.

We encourage anyone who experiences discriminatory abuse, or witnesses it, to e mail report@darlingtonfc.org in the strictest of confidence, alert a steward, or use our discriminatory text service on 07897031883. You can also speak in confidence to our two Supporter Liaison Officers, Rob Duncan and Andrew Scullion.

We will continue to work with organisations such as Her Game Too and Kick It Out to help us eradicate discrimination at our matches, and we will also co-operate fully with any police investigation.

Thank you for your co-operation