The FA have published updated guidance to reflect the changes to national restrictions. The key changes to note are in relation to spectators, use of changing rooms and outdoor hospitality.

Travel
As organised sport can resume, all participants may travel to games but should avoid travel at the busiest times and routes, as well as minimising any unnecessary journeys where possible. All participants must follow the Government’s guidance on safer travel.

Changing rooms
Changing rooms can be used as part of step two of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown. However, participants should minimise their use of changing facilities where possible. Toilets will be allowed to open, 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after training and/or matches.

Spectators
On 7 April, the Government updated its guidance in relation to spectators. This confirms that at Step Two and Step One B, spectators are not permitted to attend sporting events taking place on private land, other than adults needed to supervise U18s that they have a responsibility for or providing care or assistance to a person with disabilities. They should maintain social distance and not mix with other households. This does not prevent people from viewing recreational or organised sport that is taking place in a public space, e.g. a park, at Step One B or Step Two, in groups of up to six people or two households.

Parents/Carers
Where clubs and facilities can accommodate this safely, parents and carers are permitted to be present at football activities, although they must observe the relevant Government COVID-19 guidance, including those on gathering limits for spectators.

Indoor football
As part of step two of the Government’s roadmap, indoor football for U18s can take place in line with Department for Education and Out of School Setting guidance. All participants should read and follow this guidance for all indoor football activities.

Indoor football for adults is not currently allowed. This is planned to return no earlier than Monday 17 May for adults, as part of step three of the Government’s roadmap.

Outdoor hospitality
As part of step two of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown, outdoor hospitality at grassroots football is permitted. All participants must follow Government guidance on hospitality settings and specific advice for sport facility operators available on the Government’s website. People using clubhouses and hospitality facilities must adhere to legal gathering limits and wider Government guidance. Please note that while outdoor hospitality is permitted, spectators are not allowed at games unless on public land.

This guidance applies to all youth and adult football and Futsal, including all formats of the game. As we move through the different steps of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown or if there are further updates from the Government, this guidance will be updated and communicated by the FA in due course.

It's 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.

The latest full updated guidance documents issued last week can be found in our dedicated Covid-19 section HERE.