Hampshire FA Statement

The return to football is not yet certain – we’re all waiting for instructions from the FA pursuant to their discussion with the government… see message from Hampshire FA below.

Nigel Welch.

To: Affiliated Clubs, Sanctioned Leagues & DFA’s 

Dear All

I am writing to you further to our previous communications to leagues, clubs and members regarding the plans for the restart of football following Lockdown 2.0.

Earlier this afternoon, Chairman James Pearson and myself (along with other CFA Chairs and CEOs) attended a meeting with The FA regarding provisional plans which are still subject to DCMS and government review.

Due to the sheer scale of the number of participants, volunteers and spectators within grassroots football, The FA is having to demonstrate to DCMS that we can effectively mitigate the risk of the further spread of the virus. This threshold will need to be higher than that which existed prior to Lockdown 2.0. They are also yet to agree the guidance for travelling between Tier 2 and Tier 3 areas of the country for grassroots football purposes.

The County FA network has emphasised the need for urgent guidance for grassroots football and The FA are working hard to make this available from early next week (hopefully Monday).

I fully appreciate that you require this information as soon as possible to start your own planning for football to resume from Wednesday (2 December 2020) next week when existing national lockdown restrictions expire.

Football has been an industry leader in the prevention of COVID-19 and the appointment of League/Club COVID-19 Officers, new COVID-19 club risk assessments and clear and effective procedures for training and matches has been much heralded nationally.

However, we will need to go to further in the fight against COVID-19 and I am sure everyone will again unite in this challenge.

Thank you for all you have done this year during unprecedented times and for the additional work and support you will undertake over the coming weeks as we lead up to Christmas.

We will send out further communications as and when we are in a position to do so.

With best wishes

Neil Cassar

CEO, Hampshire FA