Ethics management in football clubs

Football (soccer) is believed to be facing an ongoing moral crisis, illustrated by a diverse set of ethical issues, ranging from financial fraud and match-fixing to sexual abuse and hooliganism. While the policy support of (inter)national authorities and football federations is important to tackle this moral crisis, ethics management in football clubs is also believed to be part of the desired response to this crisis. However, very little is known about the meaning, perception, and influence of ethics management in football clubs. Drawing on the insights of four distinct empirical studies, this presentation reports on the influence of two important tools of ethics management in football clubs, namely ethical codes and ethical leadership. Among other findings, this dissertation indicates that ethical leadership by both board and coaches is needed to translate the content and spirit of the ethical code into practice in football clubs. The influence of ethics management is assessed by examining the ethical climate in football clubs. An ethical climate contributes to the promotion of ethical behaviour, as well as to the discouragement of unethical behaviour. In the end, the reported results have important practical implications for football clubs in their quest to restore football as what is claimed to be: a beautiful game