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Football suspended due to latest COVID-19 restrictions

Majority of grassroots football not permitted as England enters another lockdown

The FA note the UK Government’s announcement on Monday 4 January with regards to the new national COVID-19 restrictions and lockdown.

As a result, the impact on ‘non-elite’ football in England will include the suspension of fixtures and training across the following with immediate effect:

  • Steps three to six of the National League System
  • Tiers three to seven of the Women’s Football Pyramid
  • Regional NLS feeder leagues
  • Barclays FA WSL Academy League (unless under elite status)
  • FA Girls Regional Talent Clubs (unless under elite status)
  • All indoor and outdoor youth and adult grassroots football, including under-18s (except organised outdoor football for disabled people, which is allowed to continue)
  • Vitality Women’s FA Cup (which is currently classified as ‘non-elite’ at this stage in the competition)

It is extremely important that clubs, players, coaches, match officials, league officials, volunteers, parents, carers and facility providers adhere to the Government’s new national COVID-19 lockdown restrictions and The FA implore everyone to follow these.

Dialogue will continue with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, leagues, competitions and County FAs and The FA will provide further updates for the 2020-21 Vitality Women’s FA Cup, Buildbase FA Vase and ‘non-elite’ football when relevant.

The FA would like to thank the football community once again for its hard work, resilience and understanding during such an incredibly challenging period for both the game and wider society.

The latest information for non-elite football can be found on our COVID-19 Guidance page.

For further guidance on sport and recreation during COVID-19 please visit:

UK Government
W: www.gov.uk