Green light to play again
Grassroots football has got the green light to return and crowds could be back this autumn.
The Football Association has said competitive football can return in August - with nonleague divisions following soon after.
From September grassroots league matches in the National League System, Women’s Football Pyramid tiers three to six and FA competitions can commence. There is also an easing on restrictions regarding training. Groups can now train with up to 30 people, including coaches.
The National League system comprises the six levels of non-league football below the EFL, including the National League, the Isthmian League and the Southern Counties East League.
Football at step 1 and 2 level (National Leagues) will return no earlier than Saturday, September 5 while the Isthmian League will be no earlier than Saturday, September 19. The Southern Counties East League are allowed to resume from September 5.
Cup dates have also been agreed, with the FA Cup extra preliminary round scheduled for Tuesday, September 1, the FA Vase first qualifying round on Saturday, September 19 and the FA Trophy first qualifying round on Saturday, September 26.
Competitive matches in August will comprise of preseason fixtures, festivals and small-side football competitions.
Prime minister Boris Johnson has also said that crowds could be allowed back into stadiums from October, with pilot events hosting spectators before that date. The World Snooker Championship at the end of this month will be one of the events able to entertain fans, as the government look to open stadiums once again. Mr Johnson said: “From August 1, we will restart indoor performances to a live audience, subject to the success of pilots, and we will aoso pilot larger gatherings in venues like sports stadia, with a view to a wider reopening in the autumn. “From October, we intend to bring back audiences in stadia. Again these changes must be done in a Covidsecure way, subject to the successful outcome of pilots.”
However, it is likely that if the test events prove successful that non-league clubs will be allowed to bring supporters back into stadium in September - albeit with reduced capacity to ensure social distancing measures are still in place.