As we approach the start of the new season, GAMBA OSAKA , together with the J.League, reaffirms its stance against illegal and unjust acts such as slander against players, staff and all related parties, in order to create an environment where everyone can safely and securely participate in and enjoy soccer together with fans, supporters and all related parties. We also support the following basic policy on customer harassment formulated by the J.LEAGUE .





J.LEAGUE's response to slander and customer harassment

Thank you very much for your continued support of the J.League.
As we approach the start of the new season, we would like to once again state our position and response to illegal and inappropriate behavior, such as slander against players, staff, and all other related parties.

We are committed to three principles: "To improve the standard of soccer in Japan and promote the spread of soccer," "To promote a rich sports culture and contribute to the healthy physical and mental development of the people," and "To contribute to exchanges and friendship in the international community." As the professional league that stands at the pinnacle of Japanese soccer, we also engage in a variety of activities with the aim of creating an environment where anyone can easily get involved in and enjoy sports, and of enriching society through sports.

As a member of the football family, we have always shared the spirit of respect and fair play, and have promoted the spirit of valuing everyone and everything involved in football.

However, in recent years, there have been many instances of slander and malicious behavior that lacks respect, both inside and outside the stadium, directed at players, referees, staff and other related parties.

These acts are extremely heinous acts that injure the honor, dignity and human rights of others and cause serious disruption to their private lives, and cannot be tolerated under any circumstances. There is absolutely no room for such acts in the world of football that we love, or in society.

Additionally, globally, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) issued a notice in August 2024 requiring member associations to take measures such as suspending, interrupting, or canceling matches if racial discrimination against players or other personnel is detected, once again demonstrating its stance against racial discrimination.

In light of these trends, and from the standpoint of respecting human rights, the J.LEAGUE has decided to introduce procedures for dealing with these acts, particularly racial discrimination during matches, in accordance with FIFA's instructions, and will take more concrete measures, such as working with external experts such as the police and lawyers to deal strictly with illegal and inappropriate acts such as slander on social media, including legal measures (such as identifying the sender by requesting disclosure of the sender's information, filing a claim for damages, filing a criminal complaint, etc.). Each club and the J.League will work together to take the same, or even more resolute, stance as before.

At the same time, we believe that in order to continue our efforts in the future, it is essential that each and every staff member working for the J.LEAGUE and J.Clubs is healthy both physically and mentally, and that they have an environment in which they can work with peace of mind. As part of this, in order to prevent customer harassment, we have formulated a "Basic Policy on Customer Harassment" based on the "Corporate Manual for Countermeasures against Customer Harassment" established by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

We would like to work together with fans, supporters and all other parties involved to create an environment where everyone can enjoy and be involved in soccer in a safe and secure manner.
We appreciate your understanding and your continued support.


J.LEAGUE Basic Policy on Customer Harassment

■ Definition of customer harassment
Behavior, actions, and requests from customers (fans, supporters, and those receiving services) or third parties (including business partners, etc.) that lack validity in content, or that, even if valid, use means or methods for implementing such requests that are socially inappropriate and thus harm the working environment of staff.

■ Targeted actions
⚫ Physical or mental attacks (assault, injury, threats, slander, defamation, insults, verbal abuse) or intimidating behavior
⚫ Excessive demands
⚫ Behavior that disrupts business operations (long hours of detention, making the same complaint multiple times, etc.)
⚫ Entering business spaces and occupying them for long periods of time
Discriminatory behavior
⚫ Privacy violations
⚫ Attacks or demands made against individual staff members
⚫ Posting staff personal information on social media or the internet (publication of photos, audio, video, etc.)
⚫ Defamation on social media or the internet
⚫ Sexual harassment
⚫ Any other acts deemed illegal, etc.
The above actions are examples and are not limited to these.

■How to respond if customer harassment occurs
If any behavior that is deemed to be customer harassment is identified, we will take firm action to protect our staff, and if it is deemed to be malicious or criminal behavior, we will work with external experts such as the police and lawyers to respond sternly, including taking legal action.

■ Dealing with staff
⚫ We will provide training to staff on knowledge of customer harassment and how to deal with it.
⚫ We will prioritize caring for staff who have been victims of customer harassment and work to prevent recurrence.