The red card amnesty to save Sunday leagues

THOUSANDS of suspended amateur footballers are being encouraged to put their boots back on for the new season after the Hampshire FA agreed to quash all “late fines” dating back to 2006 to try to get players back on the pitch again.

The decision was made after large numbers of players dropped out of local leagues over the years when they refused to pay “late fines”.

“Late fines” hugely inflate the original fine for a red or yellow card when the player fails to pay up. Now players will only have to pay the initial fine for the card.

The Hampshire FA has more than 3,500 players suspended for unpaid fines.

Fines vary between £15 for denying a goal-scoring opportunity and £50 for spitting. Offenders must also pay an administration charge of £10.

The Hampshire FA said: “We will probably get our hands slapped by the FA. But we are doing it to try to get people back in the game.”