Unsportsmanlike conduct (or unsporting behaviour) is a term used in most professional sports to refer to a particular player or team who have acted inappropriately and/or unprofessionally in the context of the game. Such behaviour is not necessarily illegal according to the sport in question's rules, but is frowned upon by the vast majority of both players and spectators. The term is distinct from cheating in that it also includes conduct meant to incite others.

Examples

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Examples of unsportsmanlike conduct include taunting an opposition player, the referee or the crowd, spitting, arguing, fighting, and losing one's temper. In football it also includes diving theatrically in an attempt to win a free kick or penalty unfairly, time wasting, and cynical fouls.

See also

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• Cheating
• Gamesmanship

Football (soccer) terminology