Fair Play is defined by F.I.F.A. very extensively; "Winning is without value if victory has been achieved unfairly or dishonestly. Cheating is easy but brings no pleasure. Playing fair requires courage and character. It is also more satisfying. Fair Play always has its reward, even when the game is lost. Playing fair earns you respect, while cheats are detested. Remember: it's only a game. And games are pointless unless played fairly".

International Fair Play campaigns are one of the most effective means by which F.I.F.A. attempts to strengthen the ethical basis for football as a sport, which is considered as a more "gentlemanly" and "ladylike" sport. The awards were created to promote Fairer Play as the World's top teams have a responsibility as role models for young people taking up the game, and F.I.F.A. has acknowledged this fact by obliging all the players in the World Cup Finals to sign a Fair Play Declaration.

In recent Years, there have unfortunately been disturbances and occasional tragedies at football matches in various parts of the world, which perhaps is the reason that F.I.F.A. established their fair play awards. It is worth noting however, that F.I.F.A. nor any other major football organisation can be held responsible for football tragedies in stadiums as a result of an individual's actions. F.I.F.A. cannot stop these tragedies altogether, but by creating the Fair Play Awards, they hope to cut down the amount of stadium violence and encourage teams and spectators to increase their mutual respect of one another. 

The number of occurrences bringing football into disrepute has, in fact been successfully reduced with the respective authorities and strict guidelines for match organisation and stadium design. Including family stalls has been a catalyst to cleaning up football's reputation of increasing violence. A major part of the Fair Play ethic is anti-racism and F.I.F.A. try their best to stop all forms of discrimination at matches by lending support to various organisations working against racial agitation in football. F.I.F.A. offers awards annually for the team, or individual who, in their opinion has played the fairest, or who has performed an act which is deserving of an award. 

Therefore, as well as awarding a World Champion with cups and diplomas, F.I.F.A . also presents titles to people who have played within the true nature and spirit of the game by observing the Code of Conduct. The F.I.F.A. Fair Play Trophy is for the best team with the best behaviour. Special acts of fair play are also recognised by an annual award which often goes to an individual or a group who otherwise has enjoyed very little of the spotlight. The award was first presented in 1987 and for a full list of winners, click here.