UPFSA Membership Terms, Conditions & Regulatory Compliance
Union of Professional Football Scouts & Analysts (UPFSA)
Together Observe • Analyse • Elevate
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1. Membership Agreement
By applying for or maintaining membership of the UPFSA, members agree to:
* Conduct themselves professionally at all times.
* Act honestly, ethically and with integrity.
* Comply with all applicable laws, regulations and governing body rules.
* Respect the rights, welfare and dignity of all players, coaches, officials, clubs and fellow members.
* Protect the reputation of football, scouting, performance analysis and the UPFSA.
* Avoid any conduct that may bring the profession or the Union into disrepute.
Members acknowledge that UPFSA membership does not replace any licence, registration, qualification or authorisation required by governing bodies, clubs or leagues.
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2. Professional Standards
All members shall:
* Demonstrate fairness and impartiality in assessments.
* Produce objective reports based upon factual observations.
* Maintain confidentiality regarding player information, club information and scouting reports.
* Refrain from discrimination on any grounds.
* Respect intellectual property rights and confidential club data.
* Act in the best interests of player development and the game.
Professional scouts and analysts must maintain the highest standards of behaviour and ethics consistent with accepted football industry practices.
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3. Safeguarding Responsibilities
The welfare of children and vulnerable adults shall always be paramount.
Members must:
* Follow all safeguarding requirements issued by the The Football Association.
* Immediately report safeguarding concerns through the appropriate channels.
* Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with children and young people.
* Never engage in behaviour that could place a child or vulnerable adult at risk.
* Support safe football environments at all levels of the game.
* Undertake DBS checks where required by law, club policy or governing body regulations.
The FA requires safeguarding procedures, reporting mechanisms and appropriate recruitment checks for those working with children and young people in football.
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4. Working with Young Players
Members scouting or analysing players under 18 years of age must:
* Respect academy and club safeguarding procedures.
* Obtain appropriate permissions where required.
* Avoid direct approaches to minors that breach club or governing body regulations.
* Maintain professional conduct during all interactions.
* Ensure all communications are lawful, appropriate and transparent.
Where activities involve representation or intermediary services involving minors, additional regulatory requirements and enhanced checks may apply.
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5. Anti-Corruption and Integrity
Members shall not:
* Offer or accept bribes.
* Offer inducements to players, parents, coaches or club staff.
* Falsify reports or player assessments.
* Misrepresent qualifications, experience or professional status.
* Engage in betting-related activity that creates a conflict of interest.
* Use confidential information for personal gain.
Any proven breach may result in immediate suspension or termination of membership.
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6. Data Protection & Confidentiality
Members must comply with:
* UK GDPR
* Data Protection Act 2018
* Club confidentiality agreements
* Player data protection requirements
Members must not:
* Share scouting reports without authorisation.
* Publish confidential player data.
* Disclose club strategies or proprietary information.
* Use personal data unlawfully.
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7. Conflict of Interest
Members shall disclose any conflict of interest including:
* Agency relationships.
* Family relationships within clubs.
* Financial interests in player transfers.
* Commercial arrangements affecting impartiality.
Failure to disclose conflicts may result in disciplinary action.
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8. Representation & Agent Activity
UPFSA members must understand that scouting, analysis and football agent activities are separate functions.
Any member undertaking regulated football agent activity must:
* Hold the appropriate authorisation where required.
* Comply with current Football Agent Regulations.
* Follow registration requirements.
* Meet any safeguarding and DBS requirements for work involving minors.
The FA’s Football Agent Regulations govern those providing regulated representation services in football.
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9. Social Media Conduct
Members shall:
* Maintain professionalism online.
* Avoid abusive, discriminatory or defamatory content.
* Respect confidentiality obligations.
* Avoid publishing sensitive player information.
* Refrain from conduct likely to damage the reputation of football or the UPFSA.
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10. Disciplinary Procedures
The UPFSA reserves the right to:
* Investigate complaints.
* Request evidence.
* Suspend membership pending investigation.
* Revoke membership where serious misconduct is established.
Sanctions may include:
1. Written Warning
2. Final Warning
3. Suspension
4. Expulsion
5. Referral to governing bodies or authorities where appropriate
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Website Compliance Statement for UPFSA Members
FA Regulations & Member Responsibilities
The UPFSA is committed to promoting professional standards, integrity, safeguarding and best practice across football scouting and performance analysis.
As a condition of membership, all members are expected to comply with applicable regulations issued by the The Football Association, relevant leagues, clubs and governing bodies.
Members acknowledge that:
* Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
* The welfare of children and vulnerable participants is paramount.
* Professional conduct is expected both online and offline.
* Confidential information must be protected.
* Conflicts of interest must be declared.
* Any regulated football agent activity must comply with FA Football Agent Regulations.
* Members are responsible for ensuring they hold any required DBS checks, registrations, licences or permissions relevant to their role.
The UPFSA promotes the highest standards of professionalism and expects members to uphold the values of integrity, respect, accountability and excellence throughout their football activities. These principles align with recognised scouting codes of conduct, safeguarding frameworks and football governance standards.
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UPFSA Member Declaration
“I agree to uphold the standards, values and regulations of the Union of Professional Football Scouts & Analysts (UPFSA), to act with integrity, professionalism and respect, and to place the welfare of participants and the integrity of football above personal interests at all times.”
