FA statement regarding COVID and 'non-elite' football

The FA have today made the following statement regarding 'non-elite' football.

'Further to the government’s announcement on Saturday 19 December and subsequent statements on Wednesday 23 December and Wednesday 30 December with regards to the introduction of Tier 4 areas and the latest information on COVID-19, we have issued the following update.

'Football for adult participants across ‘non-elite’ football in Tier 4 areas is not permitted, including all training and fixtures. This immediate advice in place from 20 December applies to the following aspects of ‘non-elite’ football in England in Tier 4 areas:
•Steps three to six of the National League System (NLS)
•Tiers three to seven of the Women’s Football Pyramid
•Regional NLS feeder leagues
• Barclays FA WSL Academy League (unless under elite guidance)
•Indoor and outdoor adult grassroots football
•Vitality Women’s FA Cup (which is currently classified as ‘non-elite’ at this stage in the competition)

'The government’s Tier 4 guidance states organised outdoor sport for under-18s and disabled people will be allowed, while there are exemptions for FA Girls' Regional Talent Clubs which have been approved to follow elite protocols.

'The government’s guidelines on travel between tiers should be adhered to. These players cannot move in or out of Tier 4 or travel between Tier 4 areas, as listed by the Government here, to train or play.

'The government’s Tier 4 guidance confirms that elite sportspeople (and their coaches if necessary, or parents/­guardians if they are under 18) are able to compete and train.

'It is extremely important that clubs, players, coaches, match officials, league officials, volunteers, parents, carers, and facility providers in Tiers 1 to 3 (and permitted football in Tier 4) continue to strictly follow both the UK Government's latest guidance on COVID-19 and respective bespoke guidance documents from The FA. Any incidents of non-compliance will be reported to the local County Football Association.'
JB