FAQs
Self-isolation
If a player is in a class at school that has been sent home to self-isolate, can he still play football.
No, if a player is required to self-isolate then he is unable to train or play football at his club.
30-person limit
If there are multiple 11 a-side pitches at a venue (eg Sully) can all pitches be in use?
Yes, they can as the guidance is issued for 30 players on a playing area. A different group of players
can use another playing area at the same facility. There has to be
consideration for car parking facilities as sites usually only have one car park so match
times need to be staggered so that drop-off and pick-up are at differing times to reduce the
amount of parents/players in the car park. We would advise staggering kick off times where more than 1 match is taking place at a venue. This could be done in waves so small groups of matches have different arrival and kick off times to others or each match could have a slightly different arrival and kick off time.
Some raised concerns about the number of parents potentially remaining in the car park outside
of their cars – who’s responsibility is this?
This is not the responsibility of the league or club, it is up to the parents to act responsibility to maintain social distancing if they decide to remain within the wider facility area.
In a bubble
After coaching a small-sided team in the morning, can that coach go and play football himself in
the afternoon? Similarly, could that small-sided coach, coach a senior team later in the afternoon?
Can a referee officiate more than one game in a day? i.e. U12 at 10am and then a senior game at
2pm on Saturday?
We have raised this issue with Welsh Government consistently and at this stage, their guidance is
that coaches, first aiders, team helpers and officials can only be involved with 1 match per day as
government guidelines only permit having contact with 1 ‘bubble’ of 30 per day to limit contact with
other individuals.
Supporters / spectators / passers-by
Who is ultimately responsible for supporters if they don’t move from the pitch side?
The club have a responsibility to share the guidelines related to spectators with parents, there is a
specific section related to parent responsibilities within the protocol document. Confirmation that
they have shared this information with parents is done via the club checklist. Clubs are responsible
for asking parents to respect the guidelines set, however ultimately it’s the parent or supporters
responsibility to act in accordance with the guidelines.
Is there a statement we can provide to clubs detailing what they are responsible for and that
members of public passing by and watching are not part of the 30 person limited and ultimately
not the responsibility of the club if they have done everything that is asked of them.
The below statement is available on our FAQs document and has been shared with Club COVID-19
Officers. Leagues are welcome to share the below statement again with clubs to reiterate the
position
The decision on not allowing spectators to watch matches pitch-side is a Welsh Government guideline
not an FAW decision. Welsh Government guidelines do not permit a group of spectators to watch a
match pitch-side outside of the 30-person number participating within the organised activity. This is in
line with the protocols we have issued for both phase 1 and 2. We have asked for this to be reviewed
by Welsh Government to allow spectators to attend in a separate ‘bubble’ of up to 30 in a designated
area.
Within current Welsh Government guidelines, a caveat is issued for spectators in that they are
permitted to attend if there is a health or safeguarding reason for them to be present. Unfortunately,
there isn’t a criteria outlined for what would constitute a valid safeguarding or health reason. With
regards to this matter, we would urge that a significant degree of common sense is applied. For
example, we have received a number of queries relating to young children being left on their own and
feel that if a child or parent is concerned about being left on their own there is a justified safeguarding
reason for a parent to be present.
In terms of clubs being able to police this matter; we recognise this will be difficult for clubs however
as the governing body we have to be issuing advice in line with current government guidance. Again,
we would advise that common sense is applied, parents cannot be present pitch-side but can remain
within the wider facility area, e.g. club car park or away from the pitch at a public park, after they have
dropped their child at the designated drop off area to meet their club coach. Clubs should include this
within their risk assessment to ask parents/ guardians to be respectful of the guidelines regarding
spectators not being permitted pitch-side. Outside of this, it is up to the parents to act responsibility to
maintain social distancing if they decide to remain within the wider facility area.
Large crowds gathering around pitches across the country could significantly impact our ability to
progress the return of football at all levels as well as contribute to the transmission of the virus. As a
result, we must ensure we all act responsibly to protect each other, our clubs and the game as a whole.
Can clubs/leagues set-up observation areas for parents? If so, how far from the pitch could these
be, how big an area would be required, and how many parents could be contained in this marked
off area?
We should not set out marked areas for parents to observe matches from as we fear this would
encourage people to spectate on matches which at this stage, directly contradicts government
guidelines.
Toilet facility
Is it a mandatory requirement that there must be a toilet facility available? (If so, is this for all age
groups).
Based on government guidance related to the delivery of outdoor organized sports activity toilets
will need to be opened pre-match, during the match and for 30 minutes following the match. Toilets
should be cleaned regularly in line with the information provided in the relevant section “keeping
facilities clean” in the Welsh Government guidance for sports, clubs and facilities, and capacity
should be managed via entry and exit and to allow for the 2m physical distancing to be maintained.
If LAs or facility providers aren’t providing this service then please contact one of our Regional
Football Development Managers in order for us to raise the issue with the respective provider as
they are going against government guidelines in not providing this service.
No changing rooms should be used – players should arrive in training or playing kit. Exemptions may
be made where safety and safeguarding measures require their use.
Additional persons allowed pitch side
Leagues wanted clarity regarding who could remain in addition to the 30-person limit – parents
who have children with asthma for example? Or all parents of 6-8 year olds with the children
being so young, etc
Welsh Government have not issued a set criteria for whatwould constitute a valid health or safeguarding reason. In the absence of such a criteria we would advise that the following would be permitted under this guideline:
Parents/Guardians would be able to view a match from the sidelines
➢ If they or a child is concern ed about being left on their own, particularly if they are a very young
child or new to a team or club
➢ If there is a medical condition that a club has been made aware that would mean it was
advisable that a parent/guardian was present pitch-side to support the club
➢ If there is a welfare reason that a club a club has been made aware for a parent/guardian to
be present pitch-side
Local lockdown
Is a player allowed to train and play friendly matches for Club A who are based in his/her local
authority area if they are unregistered?
Yes, if a Player is not registered with the Association or any other national association to play for a
club, then he/she may play as a Trialist for any Club in: (a) Open Friendly Matches if such matches
are played either during the close season and/or before that Club’s first Official Match during the
Playing Season; and/or (b) any Closed Friendly Match. However, since the player is not registered, he
/ she would not be covered by FAW Personal Accident Insurance in the event he/she suffers a loss
during training or playing friendly matches for Club A.
A player plays for Club A who are based in Cardiff. However, the player lives in the Vale of
Glamorgan and is therefore unable to travel to train with or playing in matches for Club A. Is the
player therefore allowed to train with and play friendly matches for Club B who are based in the
Vale of Glamorgan area? This would then allow the play the opportunity to continue to play
football during local lockdown restrictions.
With the permission of their registered Club (Club A), they could play as a Trialist for a different Club
in: (a) Open Friendly Matches if those matches are played during the close season and/or before
that Club’s first Official Match during the Playing Season; and/or (b) any Closed Friendly Match. Also,
since the FAW Personal Accident Insurance is player related, then the player would be insured to
play for Club B provided he/she remains registered with a Club on COMET.
Welsh Government
What is FAW doing to lobby Welsh Government over the issues of local lockdowns, spectators and
the 30-person limit?
We are in weekly contact with Welsh Government officials regarding these issues and are continually
lobbying for guidance to be amended on these issues. We are aware of the impact that these
restrictions are causing leagues, clubs, coaches, players and parent and are highlighting these at a
government level to try and influence change. Welsh Government are fully aware of our return to
football plans and are supportive of our approach as we work within current guidelines. We hope
there will be easing of restrictions placed on the issue of local lockdowns, spectators and number of
persons permitted to take part in organised activity however this is dependent on the spread of the
virus and whether government are able to announce any easing of restrictions rather than imposing
new ones.