COVID-19 Guidance
Guidance, resources and FAQs relating to COVID-19
COVID-19 Guidance
On this page you will find updated information, guidance and resources from The FA in relation to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic and the return of grassroots football.
You will be able to access the latest guidance documents separated into specific categories including Grassroots, NLS and WFP, Leagues and Referees as well as a regularly updated and handy FAQs document addressing many of the most common queries.
You will also be able to read the latest article update/statement from The FA as well as navigate through previous updates.
Latest FA Statement: 16 July 2021
The FA has provided an update on ‘non-elite’ football in advance of Step 4 of the Government’s roadmap.
On Monday 19 July, England will move to Step 4 of its roadmap in easing COVID-19 restrictions.
This means that almost all legal restrictions of social contact will be removed. However, the Government is encouraging people to act with caution. The FA guidance has therefore been updated to reflect this.
This updated guidance which covers Steps 3-6 of the National League System (NLS), Tiers 3-6 of the Women’s Football Pyramid and grassroots football (including Regional NLS Feeder Leagues), comes into effect on Monday 19 July and until then all participants should follow our guidance for Step 3. You can read the Government guidance here.
The full guidance documents can be downloaded below and should be referred to for further details. The summary key points are:
1. On field adaptions for playing football are no longer required.
2. No limits of how many people can meet.
3. One metre plus rule removed.
4. The definition of close contact remains the same, however the rules on self-isolation will be changing from 16 August.
5. Face coverings no longer required by law, but recommended in crowded indoor settings and may be mandated by some clubs or facility providers.
6. Changing rooms can be used, however participants should use their own judgement and minimise use where possible to avoid close contact in a crowded area for a prolonged time.
7. No capacity limits for spectators but good practice is encouraged.
8. Hospitality is permitted without restrictions.
9. NHS Test and Trace QR codes not required by law but encouraged.
10. Free NHS lateral flow testing is available to clubs and we encourage clubs to take this up.
11. No domestic travel restrictions. Participants should continue to follow Government advice on international travel for any fixtures/ tournaments.
This guidance document applies to all youth and adult football and Futsal, including all formats of the game, both indoors and outdoors.
We would like to thank you once again for playing your part in helping to get our game going again. By observing Government guidance and the football-specific protocols, we can look forward to ensuring the transition back to enjoying football is as smooth and safe as possible.
Guidance Documents
COVID-19 Guidance - 11 Point Summary of main Step 4 Guidance (20th August 2021)
COVID-19 Guidance - Restarting Grassroots Football (20th AUGUST 2021)
COVID-19 Guidance - National League System (16th July 2021)
COVID-19 Guidance - Women's Football Pyramid (16th July 2021)
COVID-19 Guidance - Safeguarding Risk Assessment (16th July 2021)
COVID-19 Guidance - First Aid Guidance for Returning to Competitive Football (16th July 2021)
Download further Guidance Documents, in our Resource section below.
COVID-19 Guidance Documents
Guidance, resources and FAQs relating to the return of grassroots football.
PREVIOUS FA COVID-19 UPDATES
16.07.21 FA UPDATE ON GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL
Read The FA's latest update on grassroots football ahead of COVID-19 restrictions easing.
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11.05.21 FA UPDATE ON GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL
Read The FA's latest update on non-elite football in advance of Step 3 of the Government’s roadmap.
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08.04.21 FA UPDATE ON GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL FOR STEP TWO OF THE GOVERNMENT'S ROADMAP
Read The FA's latest update on grassroots football for step two of the Government’s roadmap.
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24.03.21 FA GUIDANCE FOR OUTDOOR GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL RETURN FROM 29 MARCH 2021
Read The FA guidance ahead of a return for outdoor grassroots football.
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15.03.21 FA UPDATE ON TIERS 3-6 OF THE WOMEN'S FOOTBALL PYRAMID
An update from the Women's Football Board.
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22.02.21 AN UPDATE ON GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT ROADMAP
Grassroots football to return from 29th March with Season 2020/21 extended until the end of June.
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04.01.21 UPDATE FOR 'NON-ELITE' FOOTBALL UNDER LATEST COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS
Government announces lockdown in England, meaning grassroots football is no longer permitted.
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19.12.20 COVID-19 UPDATE: 19 DECEMBER
COVID-19 guidance for 'non-elite' football updated following Tier 4 announcement.
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18.12.20 UPDATE: TIER 3 FOOTBALL IN BERKS & BUCKS
An update on the permitted Tier 3 football in Berkshire.
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01.12.20 FA GUIDANCE FOR GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL IN TIERS 1-3 AFTER 2 DECEMBER
Updated COVID-19 guidance issued for ‘non-elite’ football in England after lockdown.
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23.11.20 FA STATEMENT: GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL AFTER LOCKDOWN (23.11.20)
FA response to the latest UK Government update on COVID-19 restrictions.
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06.11.20 UPDATED: FA STATEMENT: NON-ELITE FOOTBALL
An update from The FA for 'non-elite' football in England following the latest COVID-19 restrictions.
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03.11.20 FA STATEMENT: NON-ELITE FOOTBALL
An update from The FA for 'non-elite' football in England following the latest COVID-19 restrictions.
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16.10.20 UPDATE: FA COVID-19 GUIDANCE AS OF 16TH OCTOBER
View the current guidance and updated COVID-19 FAQs.
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24.09.20 LATEST COVID-19 GUIDANCE ON INDOOR FOOTBALL
Indoor football update following the latest UK Government announcement on 22nd September 2020.
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22.09.20 NHS 'TEST AND TRACE' FOR GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL
This requirement comes into effect from 24 September.
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17.09.20 COVID-19 FA GUIDANCE FOR INDOOR FOOTBALL AND FUTSAL
Updated guidance for return of indoor football and Futsal, following UK Government approval.
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10.09.20 THE LATEST FA COVID-19 GUIDANCE
September update for Grassroots, the NLS and Women's Football Pyramid.
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19.08.20 PHASED RETURN OF SPECTATORS
The Football Association [The FA] has today issued updated guidelines for the National League System [NLS] and Women’s Football Pyramid [WFP]
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18.07.20 THE FA ISSUES GUIDELINES FOR THE RETURN OF OUTDOOR COMPETITIVE GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL
Practical guidance for the return of outdoor competitive grassroots football activity in England.
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09.07.20 FA RESPONSE TO THE GOVERNMENT UPDATE ON TEAM SPORTS
Government issues guidance on a return to team sports, including grassroots football.
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12.06.20 NEW COVID-19 GRASSROOTS GUIDANCE
Latest Guidance Documents issued by The FA for restarting Football Activity during COVID-19.
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01.06.20 UPDATE: PERMITTED GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL ACTIVITY FROM 1 JUNE
Latest guidance from 1st June on permitted grassroots football activity during COVID-19.
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15.05.20 THE FA RELEASE UPDATED GUIDANCE TO PERMITTED GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL ACTIVITY
The FA have today issued guidance to all grassroots football and informal football activity outside the professional game.
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17.04.20 TEMPORARY CHANGES TO DBS CHECKS
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, The FA have implemented temporary changes to DBS checks.
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19.03.20 POSTPONEMENT OF PROFESSIONAL GAME EXTENDED AFTER UPDATE FROM FA, PREMIER LEAGUE & EFL
The FA and other professional game bodies confirmed that the professional game in England will be further postponed until no earlier than Thursday 30 April.
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16.03.20 GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL IN ENGLAND HAS BEEN SUSPENDED
Following the Government’s announcement today, for people to avoid social contact and gatherings where possible, we are now advising that all grassroots football in England is postponed for the foreseeable future.
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13.03.20 PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL SUSPENDED IN ENGLAND UNTIL FRIDAY 3 APRIL AT THE EARLIEST
The FA and other professional game bodies to postpone all elite-level football until 3rd April at the earliest.
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