S.C. Code Regs. § § 20-28.01

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 11, November 22, 2024

Section 20-28.01 - Code of Ethics

A. Contestants in Combative Sports.

1. Contestants will conduct themselves in accordance with commonly accepted standards of decency and social convention.

2. Contestants will strive toward the ideals of ethics and sportsmanship.

3. Contestants will conduct themselves guided by the principles of integrity, honesty, and reliability.

4. Athletes will safeguard health by refraining from illegal substances (recreational or sports enhancement) and ensuring lifestyle and training is conducive toward passing a required physical examination. Athletes shall not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs while participating in any competitions, including all related meetings and weigh-ins.

5. Contestants will not commit any act or become involved in any situation or occurrence that will reflect negatively or bring disrepute, contempt, scandal or disdain to any other participant or the SC State Athletic Commission.

6. The contestant, in all professional relationships, will act with respect for the inherent dignity and worth of all other participants, unrestricted by considerations of social or economic status, gender, ethnicity, religion, or other personal attributes.

7. The contestant owes the same duties to self as to others, including the responsibility to preserve integrity and safety, to maintain competence and training within the field, and to comply with statutes and regulations.

8. All contestants must maintain competence and skill in their respective sport and strive to give a satisfactory performance in every event or exhibition in which they compete. If a contestant, in the judgment of a Commission Representative or Ring Official, fails to give a satisfactory performance or demonstrates insufficient skills to safely compete as a contestant in any event or exhibition regulated by the Commission, the contestant may be administratively suspended. A contestant suspended for failure to give a satisfactory performance or insufficient skills may petition to the Commission for reinstatement.

9. The contestant will refrain inappropriate physical, verbal, and online behavior that undermines another participant, a promotion, or the SC State Athletic Commission.

B. Official.

1. No official shall in any manner hint directly or indirectly, or solicit any promoter, manager, trainer, fighter, to be appointed as a ring official in any fight.

2. No official shall hint directly or indirectly, solicit any Commission, Commissioners or member of any boxing organization to be appointed as a ring official in any fight.

3. No official shall accept any gift of significant monetary value from any promoter, manager, trainer, or fighter or solicit from any promoter, manager, trainer or fighter, anything of significant monetary value. "Significant monetary value is defined as $10 or more."

4. No official shall in any manner publicly criticize the performance of any other official.

5. No official shall in any manner publicly criticize the performance of any combatant.

6. No official shall in any manner publicly criticize the appointment of any other official.

7. No official shall represent or attempt to represent the Commission in any manner other than as an official.

8. After receiving an assignment to work at an event as an official, no official shall, prior to the fight, have any contact, social or otherwise, with any promoter, manager, trainer or fighter involved in the title fight other than contacts made with the promoter or promoter's employees relating to travel and hotel accommodations, except when accompanied by a Commission member. Also, an official shall not communicate via ANY form of media, including and not limited to social media, (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) prior to, during or after the event, without Commission approval.

9. No official shall engage in any conduct that will discredit the sport of unarmed combat.

10. Officials must never place wagers of any type on any event or sport involving boxing or combative sports. Officials should advise the local Commission if they are making bets on "other" sporting events.

11. If an official has any reason to feel or believe that he or she cannot be fair and impartial to both fighters, the official shall decline the appointment.

12. At no time should an official ask a contestant or applicant for an autograph or photograph, or any other type of memorabilia, or engage in any other instance of "fandom" at or near any Commission event, including weigh-ins and press conferences.

13. An official, whether they are working or not, shall not ask any contestant, applicant, or venue for anything of value, including tickets, programs, meals, drinks, gloves, or banners.

14. An official shall not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs while officiating or participating in any competitions, including all related meetings and weigh-ins.

15. Any official violating the terms and provisions of this Code of Ethics may be subject to discipline including removal from the list of certified Officials and could receive no further recommendations for assignments to serve as an official.

S.C. Code Regs. § 20-28.01

Added by State Register Volume 46, Issue No. 05, eff. 5/27/2022; State Register Volume 47, Issue No. 05, eff. 5/26/2023.