The FA has issued updated guidance for ‘non-elite’ football in England following confirmation from the UK Government that organised sports can return from Wednesday 2 December.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s new guidelines on the return to recreational team sport permits fixtures and training for:
- Tiers 3-6 of the Women’s Football Pyramid
- Barclays FA WSL Academy League
- FA Girls Regional Talent Clubs
- Outdoor youth and adult grassroots football
Adults can travel to play grassroots football in between Tier 1 and Tier 2 areas but cannot travel in and out of Tier 3 to play grassroots football. There are exemptions for travel in and out of Tier 3 for U18s, disability teams, volunteers, elite players and for those travelling for work.
Players and essential club staff at steps 3-6 of the Women’s Football Pyramid (WFP), the Barclays FA WSL Academy and Regional Talent Clubs can travel into and out of tier 3 areas.
Clubs at Steps 3-6 of the WFP remain permitted to accommodate a phased and limited return of spectators in Tier 1 and 2 areas if they follow the UK Governments’ latest guidance on COVID-19 and The FA’s guidelines for the WFP. There are no spectators permitted in Tier 3 areas.
Tier 7 of the WFP and outdoor grassroots football also remain permitted to accommodate socially-distanced spectators but must follow the rule of six and Government guidance on restrictions in certain tiers.
For updated guidance documents, click here.
