MIAMI, CMC- A new code of conduct was launched yesterday by the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF).
The new Code of Conduct , assisted by an ethics hotline, sets new standards for organisations that provide a product or service to CONCACAF or to whom the Confederation makes payment to.
CONCACAF says all football, corporate, media and vendor partners will be responsible for adhering to these policies with immediate effect.
“Our fans, players, sponsors and Member Associations count on us to conduct business using stricter ethical standards and that include our work with partners,” CONCACAF said in a statement.
“This new Code of Conduct underscores our responsibility to substantially improve CONCACAF’s operations, while allowing the Confederation to efficiently fulfill our mission of advancing the game of football.”
The Code focusses on three main areas: Legal and Regulatory Compliance Practices, Business Practices, and Labor Practices & Human Rights.
It requires compliance with the anti-corruption laws of the countries in which partners conduct business, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and U.K. Bribery Act.
It also bans gifts and payments to Executive Committee members and CONCACAF employees, and restricts partners conducting business with any employee or representative who has a family member with a financial interest in the partner’s business.
“The Code of Conduct also authorizes the Confederation to audit its partners’ internal controls and operational effectiveness. Additionally, CONCACAF will set up a Partner Ethics Hotline, to be overseen by the Confederation’s compliance team, where whistleblowers can safely and securely report questionable behavior or possible violations of the Code of Conduct,”CONCACAF explained.
“All of CONCACAF’s existing partners are responsible for complying with the Code of Conduct and educating all employees and representatives who may conduct business on its behalf”.
