England FA to launch England player code of conduct (COC)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19893112

Football Association chairman David Bernstein is to bring in a code of conduct for England players. The move follows a number of recent indiscretions by internationals, most notably defender Ashley Cole.

Those players who break the code could be suspended from England duty. "They are incredible role models with incredibly high profiles and their behaviour is extremely important," said Bernstein. "This really should have been brought in years and years ago."

 Bernstein, Club England managing director Adrian Bevington, FA general secretary Alex Horne and the FA's director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking have given the senior England squad a 10-minute bullet point presentation on what they expect in terms of behaviour.

"I came into this position as chairman with five things I'd identified, one of which was respect, in its wider sense, not just towards referees but player-to-player, the whole respect agenda," said Bernstein, who took up his role in January 2011.

The former Manchester City chairman added: "I'm beginning to think it's the most important thing I've got to deal with as chairman of the FA."

He added that action to help improve the conduct of players was overdue