FA confirm that grassroots and youth football must stop on Fylde coast and around country during lockdown

Grassroots football on the Fylde coast and across the country will halt for the four weeks of the national lockdown due to start on Thursday.
The 'non-elite' game will stop for four weeks, the FA has confirmedThe 'non-elite' game will stop for four weeks, the FA has confirmed
The 'non-elite' game will stop for four weeks, the FA has confirmed

The FA has confirmed that all matches and training in ‘non-elite football’ must cease between November 5 and December 2, subject to the new national Covid-19 restrictions being voted through by Parliament on Wednesday.

‘Non-elite’ applies to all football teams playing below Step two (National League North and South) of the men’s National League System and below Tier Two (FA Women’s Championship) of the Women’s Football Pyramid.

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It includes all youth and adult grassroots football, whether played indoors or out, though school sport can continue.

This means the only Fylde coast clubs who can continue to play over the coming four weeks are Blackpool, Fleetwood Town and AFC Fylde.

Fylde Women, who currently lead the FA Women’s Northern Premier League, must take a break as theirs is a Tier Three competition.

Other Fylde coast teams affected are those in the North West Counties League, West Lancashire League, Blackpool and Fylde Sunday Alliance, Blackpool and District Youth League and Poulton and District Primary League.

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An FA statement reads: “The FA’s aim is to ensure that the 2020/21 season is completed at these levels and will liaise with the relevant leagues in the National League System and Women’s Football Pyramid and the County Football Associations to provide support and establish appropriate options to do so if required.

“The UK Government has confirmed that school sport can continue as an exemption during this period.

“Re-starting football at these levels has taken substantial determination and commitment from stakeholders across the game and The FA would like to thank everyone for their vital contributions.

“However, health and wellbeing remain the priority, so it is extremely important that clubs, players, coaches, match officials, league officials, volunteers, parents, carers and facility providers adhere to the UK Government’s new national Covid-19 restrictions during this period.

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“The FA remains in dialogue with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, leagues, competitions and County FAs and will provide further clarification for ‘non-elite’ football in England following the debate in the House of Commons tomorrow.”

The FA also confirmed that the 10 ‘non-elite’ clubs still involved in the FA Cup will be allowed to fulfil their first-round ties this weekend, though they will not be permitted to train beyond Wednesday.

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