The FA have today issued updated guidance for ‘non-elite’ football in England following confirmation from the UK Government that organised sports can return from Wednesday 2nd December.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport [DCMS] has, this evening, issued updated guidelines on the return to recreational team sport which permits the return of ‘non-elite’ football in England from Wednesday 2nd December, and includes all fixtures and training for:

* Steps 3-6 of the National League System [NLS];
* Tiers 3-6 of the Women’s Football Pyramid [WFP];
* Regional NLS Feeder Leagues;
* Barclays FA WSL Academy League;
* FA Girls Regional Talent Clubs;
* Outdoor youth and adult grassroots football.

Organised outdoor football activity is permitted at these levels across all three tiers from Wednesday 2nd December but it is extremely important that clubs, players, coaches, match officials, league officials, volunteers, parents, carers, and facility providers continue to strictly follow both the UK Government's latest guidance on Covid-19 and respective bespoke guidance documents from The FA.

Organised indoor football and Futsal is permitted in Tier 1 areas if the rule of six is followed and in Tier 2 areas if the rule of six is followed and it is possible for people to avoid mixing with others they do not live or share a support bubble with. Indoor football is not permitted in Tier 3 areas.

In all three tiers there are exceptions for indoor disability football, sport for educational purposes and supervised sport and physical activity for under 18s, which can take place with larger groups mixing. Training for teams in Tier 3 must have minimal contact.

Travel

Adults can travel to play grassroots football in-between Tier 1 and Tier 2. However, adults cannot travel in and out of Tier 3 to play grassroots football. There are exemptions for travel in and out of Tier 3 for under 18s, disability teams, volunteers, elite players and for those travelling for work.

Players and essential club staff at steps 3-6 of the NLS, tiers 3-6 of the Women’s Football Pyramid, the Barclays FA WSL Academy and Regional Talent Clubs can travel into and out of Tier 3 areas.

Spectators

Clubs at Steps 3-6 of the NLS and Tiers 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 NLS or WFP. There are no spectators permitted in Tier 3, as set out in Government guidance.

Regional NLS Feeder Leagues, 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.

Hospitality

Clubhouses can operate in Tier 1, but must do so by table service (ordered and consumed at the table) only and observing the rule of six. In Tier 2, clubhouses must close unless they operate as if they were a restaurant. This means serving substantial meals, like a main lunchtime or evening meal.

They may only serve alcohol as part of such a meal and all food and drink is to be ordered and consumed at the table. Tables can only be same-household and takeaway must be eaten or consumed off the club premises. Under UK Government guidelines, bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants in Tier 3 areas must be closed except to sell by takeaway or click-and-collect.

All clubs are required to have a designated Covid-19 officer, to complete and publish bespoke risk assessments and action plans and continue to support Test and Trace efforts. The 2020/21 FA Youth Cup will continue to be played under the relevant ‘elite’ club protocol and the Buildbase FA Trophy and Buildbase FA Vase are set to resume in December, along with the Vitality Women’s FA Cup.

The FA implore everyone to strictly follow the UK Government’s national Covid-19 restrictions. Any incidents of non-compliance will be reported to the local County Football Association. The FA 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.

An executive summary of the latest changes and The FA’s updated guidance documents can be downloaded below. Information is also shared on Twitter by following @EssexCountyFA, and by searching for ‘EssexFootball’ on Facebook.