Glossary of Terms

Case Management

A coordinated process of assessing needs, planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating the delivery of services to survivors/victims, ensuring support is survivor-centred, timely, and effective.

Confidentiality

The safeguarding of all personal information shared by survivors, victims, or whistleblowers. Information shall only be disclosed with informed, written and time-limited consent, or when required by law, and only on a strict need-to-know basis.

Cultural Responsiveness

An approach that recognises and respects the cultural identities, values, and practices of survivors/victims, ensuring services are delivered in ways that are inclusive, contextually appropriate, and free from bias or stereotypes.

Do No Harm

A guiding principle requiring that all actions and interventions prioritise the safety, dignity, and well-being of survivors/victims and avoid causing additional trauma, harm, or risk.

Football Ecosystem

The football ecosystem extends to all settings where football-related activities occur under the remit of FIFA or its member associations. This policy applies to all individuals of any country, who are participating, at any level, in football organised by a FIFA member association or FIFA and reporting incidents involving football officials, players and match agents and football agents licensed by FIFA, specifically in cases covered by the FIFA Code of Ethics. It covers all such incidents of harm linked to such football activities, regardless of investigation outcomes.

FIFA Foundation

The FIFA Foundation was established in 2018 as an independent charitable foundation to promote positive social change worldwide through programmes, initiatives, projects, organisations, and humanitarian aid using football or sports as a tool for social development.

FIFA

Founded in 1914, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) serves as the global governing body for football. FIFA sets the rules of the games, ensures their consistent application, oversees and promotes the development of football at every level, from grassroot initiatives to elite international competitions.

FIFA Code of Ethics definitions:

Football Official

Any board member (including the members of the Council), committee member, referee, assistant referee, coach, trainer or any other person responsible for technical, medical or administrative matters in FIFA, a confederation, a member association, a league or a club as well as all other persons obliged to comply with the FIFA Statutes, as per FIFA Code of Ethics definition.

Match agent licensed by FIFA

(as defined in the FIFA Match Agent Regulations).

Football agent licensed by FIFA

(as defined in the FIFA Football Agents Regulations).

Player

Any football player licensed by a member association.

Informed Consent

A voluntary agreement given by a survivor/victim to proceed with a service, referral, or process. Consent must be based on clear, accurate, and accessible information about risks, benefits, implications, and consequences. It may be withdrawn at any time.

Mandatory Reporting

A legal requirement in some jurisdictions for designated individuals or organisations to report certain forms of harm (e.g., child abuse, sexual violence). Survivors/victims shall be informed of these obligations before disclosure.

Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)

A legal contract restricting disclosure of information. YourSide does not ask survivors/victims to sign NDAs that would prevent them from sharing their experiences or accessing support.

Persons Covered and Scope

YourSide aims to provide trauma-informed survivor assistance to all individuals, at any age, within the football ecosystem in need of such support regardless of when or where the harm occurred, including cases perpetrated by individuals affiliated with football organisations under YourSide’s remit. There may be limitations to YourSide’s scope / remit as not all perpetrators will fall under the FIFA Code of Ethics. YourSide expert specialists will always operate with full transparency with survivor/victims with respect to these potential limitations.

Minor/Child/Young Person

Individuals under the age of eighteen (also referred to as a "child" or "children", or as a "young person" or "young people" when concerning older children such as teenagers).

Survivor-Centred Approach

A framework that places the rights, needs, and wishes of survivors at the forefront of all actions and decisions. It emphasises safety, dignity, choice, and empowerment, aiming to ensure survivors retain agency throughout the process.

Trauma-Informed Approach

An approach that recognises the widespread impact of trauma and integrates knowledge of its effects into all interactions, policies, and practices. Key principles include safety, trustworthiness, peer support, collaboration, empowerment and cultural/historical/gender issues.

Victim/Survivor

An individual who has experienced harm, abuse, or misconduct. These terms are often used interchangeably although the term "victim" is mostly used in legal contexts.

Whistleblower

An individual who reports misconduct, abuse, or violations of codes of conduct, policies, or laws in football, regardless of whether they have personally experienced harm.