The official Premier League website has confirmed Arsenal ended top of the Fair Play League for the 2012-13 campaign.
To promote positive behaviour, the Football Association established a Fair Play competition, with all Premier League matches being assessed by delegates. Teams are assessed in five categories, with a further category relating to the behaviour of the public. The five categories are:
– red and yellow cards
– positive play (e.g. attacking intent, speeding up the game, no time wasting)
– respect towards opponents
– respect towards the referee
– behaviour of the team officials.
The funding for the awards is provided by the FA Charity Committee and Arsenal will be awarded £30,000 that can be used towards its community or youth projects.
“As a club, Arsenal prides itself on values of fair competition and positive behaviour both on and off the pitch,” Arsène Wenger said. “We are pleased to be recognised with this award and look forward to using the funding to further support our important work with young people in the local community.”
For the second consecutive season, the fans of Norwich City won the award for the Best Supporters.