We note the UK Government’s announcement on Monday 4 January with regards to the new national COVID-19 restrictions and lockdown.
As a result, the impact on ‘non-elite’ football in England will include the suspension of fixtures and training across the following with immediate effect:
- Steps three to six of the National League System
- Tiers three to seven of the Women’s Football Pyramid
- Regional NLS feeder leagues
- Barclays FA WSL Academy League (unless under elite status)
- FA Girls Regional Talent Clubs (unless under elite status)
- All indoor and outdoor youth and adult grassroots football, including under-18s (except organised outdoor football for disabled people, which is allowed to continue*)
- Vitality Women’s FA Cup (which is currently classified as ‘non-elite’ at this stage in the competition)
It is extremely important that clubs, players, coaches, match officials, league officials, volunteers, parents, carers and facility providers adhere to the Government’s new national COVID-19 lockdown restrictions and we implore everyone to follow these.
Dialogue will continue with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, leagues, competitions and County Football Associations and we will provide further updates for the 2020-21 Vitality Women’s FA Cup, Buildbase FA Vase and ‘non-elite’ football when relevant.
We would like to thank the football community once again for its hard work, resilience and understanding during such an incredibly challenging period for both the game and wider society.
* Any clubs organising outdoor football for disabled children or adults (as permitted under the current COVID-19 restrictions) are reminded to ensure that a COVID-19 and Safeguarding Risk Assessment must be in place and reviewed regularly. Our Safeguarding Children and Adults Policies must be adhered to.
