HANG THE BOOTS UP
Football in England BANNED for four weeks as little-known rules take effect ahead of Euro 2024
There are some exceptions to the rules
A LITTLE-KNOW FA rule has seen football in England BANNED ahead of Euro 2024.
The England national team is gearing up for its European Championship campaign in Germany as it looks to go one better than runners-up at Euro 2020.
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That has seen two friendlies - one a 3-0 win against Bosnia & Herzegovina and a second against Iceland - booked before the tournament proper begins on June 14.
However, fans wanting to play football of their own will not be able to do so until after June 30, at least in an 11-a-side capacity.
This is thanks to an FA rule which stops all competitive 11-a-side matches during the "Close Season" - including grassroots and youth level.
Under the rules, no affiliated teams or referees are allowed to participate in games unless they are expressly given permission to do so.
The rules state: "The Close Season shall be defined as the period between June 1 and June 30 inclusive each year...
"No matches other than those permitted and played in accordance with paragraph (c) of these rules may be played in the Close Season."
FA "Close Season
The close season is between June 1 and June 30 each calendar year.
11 v 11 games cannot be played in June.
The following may be played in the Close Season:
- Small Sided formats (3 v 3, 4v 4, 5v 5, 6 v 6, 7 v 7, 8 v 8, 9v 9) can be played in June – This includes festivals and single matches
- Those matches organised in connection with works’ clubs sports days on private grounds and at fetes and similar sports functions
- Matches between Army, Navy and Royal Air Force teams and teams of the Auxiliary Forces in Competitions whilst in camp
- Matches involving members of scouts, guides and similar organisations in Competitions whilst in camp
- Matches for national representative teams or clubs played under the auspices of FIFA or UEFA;
- Matches between Clubs in the Premier League, the EFL, FAWSL and FAWC for the following season
- Single day, weekend and bank holiday competitions and festivals meeting the criteria and receiving sanction; and B8.3.8 Pilot projects granted dispensation by The Association or sanctioning Affiliated Association
With the exception of charity matches, all competing teams must be affiliated.
They add that only 9v9 and below matches are allowed in June, including festival and single matches.
Among the other allowances to play 11v11 are fixtures organised privately as a clubs sports day, matches played between the Army, Navy, RAF and Auxiliary Forces whilst in camp and for charity events.
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That means Soccer Aid is obviously not under threat.
Matches for national representative teams under Fifa or Uefa are permitted too, hence why the Three Lions and Lionesses are able to play international matches this month.
Joe Cole and Rio Ferdinand pick their England starting 11 for opening game of Euros
Gareth Southgate's squad have their final warm-up match this Friday, before kicking off the tournament on June 16th against Serbia.
In that time, Southgate will need to cut his provisional 33-player team down to 26.
The likes of Eberechi Eze and Cole Palmer laid down their credentials for a spot on the plane in the 3-0 win in last night's match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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