Dear Colleagues,
We hope you are all well. In line with recent Government announcements the FAI have updated the Safer Return to Training and Play protocols . You can view these protocols by clicking on the button below.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at referees@fai.ie
Stay safe
FAI Referee Department
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS PROTOCOLS
FAI SAFER RETURN TO PLAY PROTOCOL – MATCH OFFICIALS
GRASSROOTS: UNDERAGE, YOUTH & ADULT FOOTBALL
4th Edition
INTRODUCTION
– This Protocol applies to all training sessions and matches from Tuesday 25th January 2022.
– The primary aim of this Protocol is to support match officials registered with the FAI and to protect the health & safety of match officials, players, coaches, all essential personnel, and volunteers in a safer return to training and matches.
– This Protocol will be in line with Department of Health and Public Health Policy at all times.
– This Protocol will follow all Government updates on the Return to Sport.
– The Protocol will be utilised in line with all other FAI policy documents including Child Welfare & Safeguarding Policy.
CONTENT
1 – Key Dates
2 – Key Items
3 – Availability
4 – Laws of the Game
5 – Symptomatic
6 – Match Official Responsibilities
7 – Match Day
8 – Stay Safe
9 – Additional Guidance
10 – Next Steps
1 – Key Dates
– This Protocol applies to all training sessions and matches from Tuesday 25th January 2022 and must be adhered to for all training sessions and matches under the jurisdiction of the FAI and its Affiliates
2 – Key Items
– Formal requirements for physical distancing (2m) removed
– 8pm closing time for football events removed
– Capacity restrictions for outdoor football events removed
– Capacity restrictions for indoor football events removed
– Seated only spectators at indoor football events removed
– Use of pods for indoor football activities removed
– Use of a COVID pass to access indoor events removed
3 – Availability
– It is important that referees continue to advise the ‘allocations officer’ in their league and their Lead Observer of their availability.
4 – Laws of the Game
– The ‘Laws of the Game’ provide referees with all the necessary authority to deal with all on-field issues, whilst other matters should be reported to the leagues who run the competitions.
5 – Symptomatic
– If you are symptomatic, the following guidelines should be followed: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/symptoms.html
– Guidelines on when and how to restrict movements can be found here – https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/managing-coronavirus-at-home/if-you-livewith- someone-who-has-coronavirus.html
6 – Match Official Responsibilities
– All Match officials must be familiar with the Updated FAI Safer Return to Play Protocol.
– All Match officials must adhere to the Updated FAI Safer Return to Play Protocol throughout the full duration of the match.
– Match officials should bring their own hand sanitizer.
7 – Match Day
– Match Officials should arrive as close to kick off as possible.
– Match officials are recommended not to provide flags to club linesperson. The club linesperson should indicate ball out of play by raising their hand or by using an agreed item. Each match official should bring their own flag that only they will use when operating in a team of officials.
8 – Stay Safe
-The Government have reiterated the need for ongoing close monitoring of the virus. You should continue to risk assess individual activities and events.
-This includes the continued implementation of good hygiene practices along with recommending symptomatic individuals do not participate in or attend football activities.
9 – Additional Guidance
– Since the emergence of COVID 19 football has developed and implemented a wide range of protocols and protective measures to limit the transmission of COVID 19 and ensure the safety of match officials, participants, volunteers, staff, and spectators.
-All stakeholders, including match officials, players, coaches, administrators and parents and spectators have a responsibility in ensuring the above guidelines are adhered to at all times.
–Mask Wearing: The requirements for mask wearing in settings where currently regulated for will continue until February 28th 2021.
-Close Contacts: This continues to follow the current advice for those with symptoms, cases and close contacts as announced by the government on 12 January 2022.
10 – Next Steps
– The FAI will continue to update this FAI Safer Return to Play Protocol – Match Officials based on the advice of Government and Health agencies.
– All updates to the FAI Safer Return to Play Protocols – Match Officials will be communicated to all registered referees
– All enquiries can be emailed to referees@fai.ie
