Important COVID-19 Updates

Updated guidance comes into effect from the 24th September and failure to comply will result in Government issued fines

Here are the latest updates on return to football following new rules announced by the Government this week.

Please note this updated guidance comes into effect from the 24th September and failure to comply will result in Government issued fines.

Please read the following in full and review the attached FAQ document in detail.

Indoor Football:

We can confirm that some indoor formats of the game may continue from 24 September 2020 with certain restrictions following the UK Government’s latest measures in relation to COVID-19.

The rule of six will apply to all indoor organised football for anyone over the age of 18. As a result, indoor training and 3 v. 3 games can continue for adults but they must be limited to groups of no more than six people and follow The FA’s updated guidance on re-starting football (link). If groups of six adults are likely to mix during either indoor training or games they must not go ahead.

Everyone under the age of 18 or living with disabilities will be exempt from the rule of six. However, while indoor training and games will not be limited for these people, they must also follow The FA’s updated guidance on re-starting indoor football (link).

All participants and staff involved in indoor football must also follow the UK Government’s latest COVID-19 measures in relation to face coverings; facility closing times and NHS test and trace:

Face coverings must be worn by staff at all times and by participants when they are not taking part in training, games or seated at a table to eat or drink;
All indoor facilities – including those with club house bars – must close at 22:00;
All indoor facilities must also support the UK Government’s guidance on NHS test and trace and implement the use of QR codes from 24 September 2020 (see below).

NHS Test and Trace:

All football deliverers must ensure that an official NHS QR code poster is displayed at their training and playing venues. The NHS COVID-19 app has a feature that allows users to quickly and easily ‘check in’ to your venue by scanning the code. The information stays on the user’s phone. In England, you do not have to ask people who choose to ‘check in’ using the official NHS QR code to provide their contact details. If there is an outbreak associated with a venue, a message will be sent to the relevant app users with the necessary public health advice.

In addition to this, you must also continue to follow other government guidance to minimise the transmission of COVID-19 and the Return to Football guidance set out by The FA.

The FA’s updated guidance on re-starting football can be downloaded below along with a list of updated FAQs - Questions 18-24 cover NHS QR Code queries.