The decision has been taken by the FAI National Referee Committee in view of the ongoing threat posed by the COVID-19 outbreak and following the recent directives from Government, the Department of Health and UEFA, and is in the best interests of all concerned.

All Grassroots Referee National Seminars, Education Programme Modules and Referee Beginner courses scheduled to take place in April, May & July 2020 have been cancelled.

All currently registered referees will maintain their grade and, subject to holding a valid Garda Vetting clearance letter and completion of an FAI Referee registration form, be entitled to register as a Referee for season 2020-2021. Further information regarding the registration process will be issued in due course.

The IFAB Laws of the game test and development module will now be incorporated into Module 1 of the 2020-2021 Grassroots Referee Development programme.

This decision only relates to Grassroots refereeing and we look forward to returning to the playing fields as soon as the Government deems it safe and appropriate to do so.

The FAI Referee department are available to answer any questions you may have regarding the cancellation of the National Seminars and can be contacted by email at referees@fai.ie or by phone at 083 1132852