National League System: Latest Coronavirus Update
Thu 19th March 2020 | Announcements | By Craig Kendall
PROFESSIONAL GAME UPDATE:
The FA, Premier League, EFL and women’s professional game, together with the PFA and LMA, have issued a new joint statement in relation to COVID-19 and the professional game in England.
“The FA, Premier League, EFL and women’s professional game, together with the PFA and LMA, understand we are in unprecedented times and our thoughts are with everyone affected by COVID-19.
We are united in our commitment to finding ways of resuming the 2019/20 football season and ensuring all domestic and European club league and cup matches are played as soon as it is safe and possible to do so.
We have collectively supported UEFA in postponing EURO 2020 to create space in the calendar to ensure domestic and European club league and cup matches have an increased opportunity to be played and, in doing so, maintain the integrity of each competition.
The FA’s Rules and Regulations state that “the season shall terminate not later than the 1 June” and “each competition shall, within the limit laid down by The FA, determine the length of its own playing season”. However, The FA’s Board has agreed for this limit to be extended indefinitely for the 2019/20 season in relation to Professional Football.
Additionally, we have collectively agreed that the professional game in England will be further postponed until no earlier than 30 April.
The progress of COVID-19 remains unclear and we can reassure everyone the health and welfare of players, staff and supporters are our priority. We will continue to follow Government advice and work collaboratively to keep the situation under review and explore all options available to find ways of resuming the season when the conditions allow.
We would all like to re-emphasise that our thoughts are with everyone affected by COVID19.”
NATIONAL LEAGUE SYSTEM UPDATE:
The FA is continuing to work closely with the Leagues in the National League System and is considering a number of options in relation to the conclusion of the 2019/20 season that fall in line with the advice being given by Government in respect of COVID-19.
Under the Regulations of the National League System (4.2) League fixtures are due to be completed by 25th April 2020.
As part of this process The FA will be inviting all Step 5/6 League Chairs to a WebEx meeting on Tuesday 24th March 2020.
GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL UPDATE:
The FA will continue to monitor the situation regarding grassroots football and will provide further updates in due course.
POST-16 ACADEMIES UPDATE
The Secretary of State for Education confirmed yesterday that Colleges will close for the majority of students after Friday. Institutions have been asked to remain open for children of Key Workers and for Vulnerable Children, of which guidance will be placed on www.gov.uk in due course. Clubs who operate education provision at their premises are encouraged to seek urgent guidance from their Education Provider. Academies are asked to follow FA guidance in regards to the suspension of training and matches until further notice
UPDATED: TREASURY GUIDANCE FOR CLUBS
• Grant funding of £25,000 is available for hospitality and leisure businesses with property with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000
• A 12-month business rates holiday for all retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England will be introduced
• The govt is bringing forward legislation to allow SMEs to reclaim statutory sick pay paid for sickness absence due to COVID-19
o Employers with fewer than 250 employees will be eligible (further information to follow)
• Businesses in financial distress with outstanding tax liabilities may be eligible to receive support with their tax affairs through HMRC’s Time To Pay service
o Please call the dedicated helpline: 0800 0159 559 who can help with any tax deferrals and revised payback schedule
• Businesses that have insurance for both pandemics and government-ordered closure should be covered. However, the impact of government advice on mass gatherings in terms of insurance is yet to be confirmed
o Please check your individual insurance policy
For further support, please visit the government’s support for businesses page or contact your local authority which will be issued with guidance to help businesses in their area.
GETTING THE LATEST GOVERNMENT ADVICE/UNDERSTANDING IF SELF-ISOLATION SHOULD APPLY
Read the latest information about the situation in the UK, along with guidance for what to do if you think you’re at risk.
Go toNHSUK/coronavirus for information about the virus and how to protect yourself. Use the 111 online coronavirus service to check if you need medical help.
For guidance on social distancing for everyone in the UK and protecting older people and vulnerable adults – CLICK HERE
COVID-19: guidance for mass gatherings – CLICK HERE
National League System: Latest Coronavirus Update
Thu 19th March 2020 | Announcements
By Craig Kendall
PROFESSIONAL GAME UPDATE:
The FA, Premier League, EFL and women’s professional game, together with the PFA and LMA, have issued a new joint statement in relation to COVID-19 and the professional game in England.
“The FA, Premier League, EFL and women’s professional game, together with the PFA and LMA, understand we are in unprecedented times and our thoughts are with everyone affected by COVID-19.
We are united in our commitment to finding ways of resuming the 2019/20 football season and ensuring all domestic and European club league and cup matches are played as soon as it is safe and possible to do so.
We have collectively supported UEFA in postponing EURO 2020 to create space in the calendar to ensure domestic and European club league and cup matches have an increased opportunity to be played and, in doing so, maintain the integrity of each competition.
The FA’s Rules and Regulations state that “the season shall terminate not later than the 1 June” and “each competition shall, within the limit laid down by The FA, determine the length of its own playing season”. However, The FA’s Board has agreed for this limit to be extended indefinitely for the 2019/20 season in relation to Professional Football.
Additionally, we have collectively agreed that the professional game in England will be further postponed until no earlier than 30 April.
The progress of COVID-19 remains unclear and we can reassure everyone the health and welfare of players, staff and supporters are our priority. We will continue to follow Government advice and work collaboratively to keep the situation under review and explore all options available to find ways of resuming the season when the conditions allow.
We would all like to re-emphasise that our thoughts are with everyone affected by COVID19.”
NATIONAL LEAGUE SYSTEM UPDATE:
The FA is continuing to work closely with the Leagues in the National League System and is considering a number of options in relation to the conclusion of the 2019/20 season that fall in line with the advice being given by Government in respect of COVID-19.
Under the Regulations of the National League System (4.2) League fixtures are due to be completed by 25th April 2020.
As part of this process The FA will be inviting all Step 5/6 League Chairs to a WebEx meeting on Tuesday 24th March 2020.
GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL UPDATE:
The FA will continue to monitor the situation regarding grassroots football and will provide further updates in due course.
POST-16 ACADEMIES UPDATE
The Secretary of State for Education confirmed yesterday that Colleges will close for the majority of students after Friday. Institutions have been asked to remain open for children of Key Workers and for Vulnerable Children, of which guidance will be placed on www.gov.uk in due course. Clubs who operate education provision at their premises are encouraged to seek urgent guidance from their Education Provider. Academies are asked to follow FA guidance in regards to the suspension of training and matches until further notice
UPDATED: TREASURY GUIDANCE FOR CLUBS
• Grant funding of £25,000 is available for hospitality and leisure businesses with property with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000
• A 12-month business rates holiday for all retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England will be introduced
• The govt is bringing forward legislation to allow SMEs to reclaim statutory sick pay paid for sickness absence due to COVID-19
o Employers with fewer than 250 employees will be eligible (further information to follow)
• Businesses in financial distress with outstanding tax liabilities may be eligible to receive support with their tax affairs through HMRC’s Time To Pay service
o Please call the dedicated helpline: 0800 0159 559 who can help with any tax deferrals and revised payback schedule
• Businesses that have insurance for both pandemics and government-ordered closure should be covered. However, the impact of government advice on mass gatherings in terms of insurance is yet to be confirmed
o Please check your individual insurance policy
For further support, please visit the government’s support for businesses page or contact your local authority which will be issued with guidance to help businesses in their area.
GETTING THE LATEST GOVERNMENT ADVICE/UNDERSTANDING IF SELF-ISOLATION SHOULD APPLY
Read the latest information about the situation in the UK, along with guidance for what to do if you think you’re at risk.
Go toNHSUK/coronavirus for information about the virus and how to protect yourself. Use the 111 online coronavirus service to check if you need medical help.
For guidance on social distancing for everyone in the UK and protecting older people and vulnerable adults – CLICK HERE
COVID-19: guidance for mass gatherings – CLICK HERE
