Discipline, Education and Rehab: What an FA Ban Teaches Clubs About Behavioural Change

Discipline, Education and Rehab: What an FA Ban Teaches Clubs About Behavioural Change

Hook: Clubs are drowning in mixed messages about discipline and player behaviour: one-off punishments make headlines, yet long-term cultural change rarely follows. The recent FA sanction against Liverpool goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe—an immediate disciplinary response that included a compulsory education programme—underscores a bigger challenge for clubs in 2026: how to turn punishment into measurable behavioural development that prevents recurrence and genuinely embeds anti-racism into daily coaching.

What happened — and why clubs should care now

In January 2026 the Football Association issued a six-game suspension to Rafaela Borggräfe after an investigation found a racist remark had been made and overheard by teammates and staff. The player accepted the sanction and was ordered to enrol on an education programme. That combination of punishment plus mandated learning is increasingly the model regulators prefer—yet it raises immediate questions for clubs: what constitutes an effective education programme? How do you measure if it works? How do you integrate anti-racism into everyday coaching rather than treating it as a compliance checkbox?

Clubs face practical pressures: rapid squad turnover, busy training schedules, safeguarding duties, and reputational risk amplified by global social media. The Borggräfe case is not just about one remark; it's a prompt for a strategic rethink of player development, discipline and rehab.

From sanction to development: a modern framework

Move beyond binary ideas of punishment or forgiveness. To create sustained change, clubs should adopt a three-phase framework:

• Immediate accountability — clear sanctions, transparent communication, and safeguarding for affected parties.
• Structured education — targeted, evidence-based modules with measurable objectives.
• Rehabilitation and reintegration — monitored behaviour change, restorative processes, and performance integration.

1) Immediate accountability — set a consistent standard

When incidents occur, timeliness matters. Delays fuel speculation; inconsistent sanctions damage credibility. Clubs should have pre-agreed disciplinary ladders aligned with league and FA regulations. Key elements:

• Rapid fact-gathering protocols that protect victims and witnesses.
• Transparent public statements that acknowledge the issue and outline next steps.
• Temporary measures for matchday safety where needed (e.g., sidelining pending review).

"Ordered to enrol on an education programme" — the FA's approach highlights the move from pure sanctioning to mandated learning.

2) Structured education — design for learning, not lip service

Education programmes in 2026 must be far more than one-off workshops. Design them like performance modules with learning objectives, microlearning components, experiential elements, and competency assessments. Consider the following architecture:

Core module design (8–12 weeks)

• Week 1 — Baseline assessment: anonymous climate surveys, implicit bias tests where appropriate, and a personal reflection task for the involved player.
• Weeks 2–4 — Knowledge and context: history of racism in sport, laws and regulations, club policy, and the real-world impact on teammates and communities.
• Weeks 5–7 — Skills and empathy: scenario-based training, role-play, and VR/immersive modules to simulate lived experiences (increasingly available in 2025–26).
• Weeks 8–10 — Behavioural practice: coached sessions where players practice inclusive language, allyship strategies, and bystander intervention techniques.
• Weeks 11–12 — Assessment & reintegration plan: competency evaluation, personalised action plan, and stakeholder sign-off.

Delivery methods that work in elite environments:

• Microlearning bursts (10–15 minutes) to fit training days.
• Peer-led discussions with senior players acting as champions.
• Evidence-backed providers for implicit bias and restorative justice components.
• Confidential coaching sessions with sport psychologists.

3) Rehabilitation & reintegration — monitor, measure, and support

Reintegration is where most programmes fail. Clubs can transform short-term compliance into permanent culture change by linking education outcomes to measurable support and monitoring:

• Individual development plan (IDP) with clear behavioural goals.
• Mentor assignment (senior player or coach) with weekly check-ins for 3–6 months.
• Quarterly climate surveys and anonymous reporting channels to detect relapse.
• Restorative sessions where appropriate, providing a mediated space for affected teammates to speak and be heard.

Measuring progress: metrics that matter

Too many programmes rely on attendance figures as 'proof'. Effective measurement requires mixed methods that combine quantitative KPIs and qualitative insights.

Suggested KPI framework

1. Recidivism rate: incidents per 1,000 player-hours annually.
2. Team climate index: aggregated anonymous survey measuring perceived inclusion, psychological safety and trust.
3. Behavioural competency score: pre- and post-programme assessments for affected players (scored by independent assessor).
4. Reporting activation: rate of bystander reports and disclosures — a short-term rise may signal increased trust in the system.
5. Retention of marginalised athletes: a long-term measure of whether inclusive policies are affecting recruitment and retention.

Data governance is essential. Collecting sensitive data (e.g., results of bias tests or climate surveys) requires confidentiality, informed consent, and alignment with data protection laws in 2026. Anonymise where possible and limit access to designated safeguarding leads and HR.

Integrating anti-racism into everyday coaching

Anti-racism can't sit in a corner of compliance. Clubs that succeed embed it into routine coaching, talent pathways, and performance reviews.

Practical integration tactics

• Pre-session micro-reminders: short team rituals that reinforce values (e.g., a two-line team affirmation before training).
• Matchday codes: captains and staff lead simple behavioural cues (language, celebrations, engagement with fans).
• Onboarding and contracts: include anti-discrimination clauses and mandatory education as part of new player induction and contract renewals.
• Coaches' CPD: require anti-racism modules as part of coaching licences and internal CPD portfolios.
• Performance appraisals: include behavioural KPIs for players and staff, making inclusion a part of promotion and retention decisions.

Behavioural science meets football: models that work

Use established behaviour-change models to structure interventions:

• COM-B model (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation — Behaviour): design modules that increase capability (knowledge and skills), shape opportunity (environmental cues, team norms), and boost motivation (personal and social incentives).
• Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change): tailor interventions for players at different readiness levels—from pre-contemplation to maintenance.
• Restorative justice principles: where appropriate, enable victims and offenders to participate in mediated processes that focus on accountability and repair.

Technology & 2026 trends: leverage tools, but watch ethics

By 2026 clubs are using advanced tech to support education and measurement. Key trends to consider:

• VR empathy training: immersive scenarios can accelerate perspective-taking and reduce defensive reactions during training.
• Microlearning platforms: AI-driven modules personalise learning paths and deliver short daily prompts.
• Analytics dashboards: integrate incident logs, survey data and educational progress into a single dashboard for safeguarding leads.
• Digital reporting tools: anonymous reporting apps increase disclosure but must be tied to robust investigation pathways.

Ethical considerations in 2026 are central. Use of biometric data, facial recognition or intrusive surveillance for behavioural policing is controversial and legally fraught. Prioritise consent, transparency, and minimal necessary collection.

Case study: Turning a sanction into learning (hypothetical playbook)

Use the Borggräfe sanction as an operational template. Here's a practical playbook a club could adopt immediately after a similar incident:

48 hours

• Implement temporary team separation if required for safety.
• Engage safeguarding lead and legal counsel; begin confidential interviews.
• Issue a public statement acknowledging the incident and the club's commitment to a thorough process.

1–2 weeks

• Agree provisional sanction aligned with FA guidance.
• Schedule a mandatory education programme and baseline assessments.
• Offer immediate support to affected individuals (counselling, paid leave where appropriate).

1–3 months

• Deliver structured education (see module design above).
• Begin mentor pairing and weekly check-ins.
• Collect follow-up climate surveys and behavioural assessments.

6–12 months

• Report aggregated outcomes to the board: recidivism, climate index changes, and retention metrics.
• Adjust policies and CPD based on lessons learned.

Governance: policy, contracts and external partnerships

Discipline and education intersect with governance. Clubs need clear, published policies that sit alongside employment contracts and league regulations.

• Update contracts to include mandatory education and clear disciplinary frameworks tied to discriminatory behaviour.
• Partner with independent anti-racism charities and academic institutions for credibility and evaluation.
• Ensure safeguarding and equality officers have direct access to governance boards and are resourced.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

Clubs often stumble on a few recurring issues. Address these proactively:

• Pitfall: Education as PR — Avoid token events. Embed measurable learning and follow-up.
• Pitfall: One-size-fits-all — Tailor content by age group, cultural context and role (players, coaches, staff).
• Pitfall: Ignoring the locker room — Peer norms drive daily behaviour. Train captains and senior players as culture carriers.
• Pitfall: Data vacuum — If you can’t measure change, you can’t manage it. Build simple dashboards from day one.

Practical checklist for clubs (start today)

1. Create or update your disciplinary ladder aligned with FA guidance.
2. Design a 12-week education module template and a 6-month reintegration plan.
3. Deploy baseline climate surveys and schedule quarterly follow-ups.
4. Identify internal champions (captains, head coach) and fund external expertise for delivery.
5. Build a dashboard to track recidivism, climate index and training completion.
6. Make anti-racism training part of all onboarding and annual CPD for staff.

Looking ahead: predictions for 2026–2028

Expect regulators and leagues to push beyond sanctions. Key predictions:

• Greater standardisation of education outcomes tied to licencing and competition eligibility.
• Broader adoption of restorative approaches for lower-level offences, with criminal offences still referred to legal authorities.
• Increased use of tech-driven microlearning and immersive empathy tools, coupled with stronger data protections.
• Performance metrics that include inclusivity indicators for coaching qualifications and youth academies.

Conclusion: discipline is the doorway, education is the path

The Borggräfe case is a clear reminder that sanctions alone do not create culture change. Clubs that treat discipline as the doorway to a rigorous, measurable education and rehabilitation pathway will reduce recidivism, protect players and staff, and strengthen community trust. The hard work is operational: building modules that fit elite schedules, measuring progress honestly, and making anti-racism part of everyday coaching and performance reviews.

Actionable takeaway: Start with a 90-day audit: map your current disciplinary process, run a climate baseline survey, and pilot a microlearning anti-racism module with one squad. Use the metrics above to report results to your board and iterate.

Call to action

Ready to turn a sanction into sustainable development? Download our free 90-day club audit template and the 12-week education module blueprint, tailored for elite squads in 2026. Subscribe to getfitnews for weekly industry updates, or contact our specialist editorial team for a club-specific consultation on embedding anti-racism into player development and coaching.

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