Acceptable Use Policy

This policy sets out the rules for using the FindaRef platform. FindaRef exists to match FA-registered referees with football organisers. The platform must only be used for that purpose — posting fixtures, responding to fixture offers, and coordinating around matches.

Breaching this policy may result in account suspension, permanent removal, or referral to governing bodies or authorities.

All users must behave professionally and respectfully at all times. You must not:

• Abuse, harass, threaten, or intimidate any other user
• Use discriminatory, offensive, or hateful language
• Bully or engage in misconduct toward other users
• Impersonate another person or organisation

You must not:

• Post fictitious or fraudulent fixtures
• Misrepresent fixture details (location, grade required, whether minors are involved)
• Provide false qualifications or FA registration numbers
• Accept fixture offers you have no intention of honouring
• Attempt to manipulate the matching algorithm

The platform exists to facilitate introductions between referees and organisers. Once a match is confirmed, normal coordination is expected. However, you must not:

• Attempt to recruit referees or organisers away from FindaRef to avoid subscription fees
• Use FindaRef contact information to contact users for purposes unrelated to confirmed fixtures
• Advertise or promote unrelated services to other users

All communication through the platform must relate to fixtures and remain professional. You must not send:

• Abusive, threatening, or harassing messages
• Discriminatory or inappropriate content
• Spam or unsolicited promotional content

Users must not engage in any inappropriate communication with or about minors, arrange transport for minors through the platform, or attempt to contact minors outside of a confirmed fixture context. See our full Safeguarding Policy.

Participation in the FindaRef referral scheme is subject to this policy. You must not:

• Refer yourself, a connected person, or any entity you control
• Create duplicate or fake accounts to generate fraudulent referral commission
• Misrepresent FindaRef or make false claims about the platform when sharing your referral link
• Fail to disclose that you may earn commission when sharing your referral link — disclosure is required under the UK ASA/CAP Code
• Share referral links in a context that is misleading, deceptive, or targeted at vulnerable individuals

FindaRef may withhold commission, remove you from the scheme, or terminate your account if any abuse is suspected. For full referral scheme terms, see Section 7 of our Terms of Service.

You must not:

• Attempt to access other users' accounts
• Interfere with or disrupt platform functionality
• Scrape, harvest, or extract data from the platform
• Create multiple accounts to avoid restrictions, suspension, or to abuse the referral scheme
• Upload malicious code or content
• Attempt to reverse-engineer or copy any part of the platform

FindaRef may — without prior notice — suspend or permanently remove accounts that breach this policy. We may also restrict platform access, report users to relevant authorities or governing bodies, withhold referral commission, and in serious cases take legal action.

FindaRef's decisions on enforcement are final.

To report a breach of this policy, contact us at hello@findaref.co.uk.

This policy is governed by the laws of England and Wales.