U16 in open age football

Wednesday, 31 October 2007.

You will have noted that John Bostock played for Crystal Palace aged 15 years and 287 days.

The FA has confirmed that players in the approved School of Excellence programme at Football League level and Academy programme at FA Premier League level are exempt from the restrictions as set out in FA Rules. This will also filter down to National Conference level where a Club relegated from FL Div 2 retains its licence.

Furthermore, the FA is happy to confirm that this ruling has no bearing on grassroots football where the age limit is 16 - in other words a player cannot play in open age football until his 16th Birthday. This has not changed.

The FA also confirms that this does not contravene new Government legislation under the SVGA. It accepts that FAPL and FL clubs have qualified staff and necessary procedures in place to safeguard children as they are required to provide their respective Leagues with undertakings specifically dealing with the welfare of children for a licence to be issued.