Hi all, I've just received this email with snippets of an email from the FA regarding the 10 second substitution protocol and U18 players.. so according to the FA due to safeguarding, the 10 seconds wont apply to U18 players.. Not sure how you would enforce this in a game where some players are U18 and some arent.. just curious if this was received by anyone else, it was sent to all those on the eastern counties..
To: All Leagues & Clubs within the National League System - Under-18 Player Substitution Safeguarding Protocol
As many will be aware, changes to the Laws of the Game introduced this season require substituted players to leave the field of play promptly and within 10 seconds once the referee has commenced the countdown. In light of these changes, The FA Refereeing Department would like to provide further guidance regarding players under the age of 18 participating within the Men's National League System (Steps 2-6) and the Women's Football Pyramid (Tiers 3 and 4).
With effect from fixtures taking place this weekend (Friday 14 August) onwards, any player under the age of 18 who is substituted in an FA-appointed fixture must leave the field of play either:
Match officials have been instructed that, where an under-18 player is being substituted, the 10-second expectation for leaving the field of play will not apply. This allows the officiating team sufficient opportunity to identify and monitor under-18 players throughout the substitution process and ensure the safeguarding protocol is applied appropriately.
To support the consistent implementation of this process, clubs should identify any under-18 players included within their matchday squad to the referee before kick-off. This would ordinarily take place during the pre-match exchange of team sheets, although an alternative method may be used where appropriate. This pragmatic approach recognises the differing administrative processes that exist across leagues and clubs whilst ensuring match officials are aware of any under-18 players before the fixture begins.
Referees will be advised to proactively seek confirmation of any under-18 players during their pre-match discussions with clubs. This shared responsibility between clubs and match officials will help ensure the protocol is applied consistently and effectively across all fixtures.
In addition, where an under-18 player is due to be substituted during the match, clubs are encouraged to notify the Fourth Official or, where only three match officials have been appointed, the nearest Assistant Referee. Whilst not a formal requirement, this represents good practice and will assist the match officials in applying the protocol consistently.
For Clarity
We would be grateful if all leagues and clubs could ensure that this information is communicated to the relevant staff, players and officials ahead of this weekend's fixtures.
This guidance has been shared across the National League System and Women's Football Pyramid to help ensure a consistent and effective approach to the implementation of this safeguarding measure.
Personally, a bit farcical under the umbrella of "safeguarding"
To: All Leagues & Clubs within the National League System - Under-18 Player Substitution Safeguarding Protocol
As many will be aware, changes to the Laws of the Game introduced this season require substituted players to leave the field of play promptly and within 10 seconds once the referee has commenced the countdown. In light of these changes, The FA Refereeing Department would like to provide further guidance regarding players under the age of 18 participating within the Men's National League System (Steps 2-6) and the Women's Football Pyramid (Tiers 3 and 4).
With effect from fixtures taking place this weekend (Friday 14 August) onwards, any player under the age of 18 who is substituted in an FA-appointed fixture must leave the field of play either:
- Via the point nearest to the halfway line on the technical area side of the field of play; or
- Directly into their team's technical area where the technical area is located elsewhere along the touchline.
Match officials have been instructed that, where an under-18 player is being substituted, the 10-second expectation for leaving the field of play will not apply. This allows the officiating team sufficient opportunity to identify and monitor under-18 players throughout the substitution process and ensure the safeguarding protocol is applied appropriately.
To support the consistent implementation of this process, clubs should identify any under-18 players included within their matchday squad to the referee before kick-off. This would ordinarily take place during the pre-match exchange of team sheets, although an alternative method may be used where appropriate. This pragmatic approach recognises the differing administrative processes that exist across leagues and clubs whilst ensuring match officials are aware of any under-18 players before the fixture begins.
Referees will be advised to proactively seek confirmation of any under-18 players during their pre-match discussions with clubs. This shared responsibility between clubs and match officials will help ensure the protocol is applied consistently and effectively across all fixtures.
In addition, where an under-18 player is due to be substituted during the match, clubs are encouraged to notify the Fourth Official or, where only three match officials have been appointed, the nearest Assistant Referee. Whilst not a formal requirement, this represents good practice and will assist the match officials in applying the protocol consistently.
For Clarity
- Under-18 players who are substituted must leave the field of play either via the point nearest to the halfway line on the technical area side of the field of play or directly into their team's technical area where this is located elsewhere along the touchline.
- The purpose of this requirement is to ensure under-18 players return to a supervised environment as quickly as possible.
- The 10-second expectation for leaving the field of play does not apply to under-18 players.
- Clubs should identify any under-18 players to the referee prior to kick-off.
- Clubs are encouraged to notify the Fourth Official or nearest Assistant Referee when an under-18 player is being substituted.
- Match officials should apply this process consistently across all applicable fixtures.
- Any under-18 player who deliberately delays the restart of play or fails to leave the field of play promptly may still be cautioned in accordance with the Laws of the Game. The exemption relates only to the 10-second expectation and does not prevent disciplinary action where a player delays the restart of play.
We would be grateful if all leagues and clubs could ensure that this information is communicated to the relevant staff, players and officials ahead of this weekend's fixtures.
This guidance has been shared across the National League System and Women's Football Pyramid to help ensure a consistent and effective approach to the implementation of this safeguarding measure.
Personally, a bit farcical under the umbrella of "safeguarding"
