Scottish FA Joint Response Group Update | 08/10/2020

Following the First Minister’s announcement yesterday (7th October 2020), the Scottish FA Joint Response Group have provided the following update @ https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news/scottish-fa-statement-on-new-government-guidelines/?rid=13929.

As you will note, this places particular restrictions on those living within the following 5 Health Board areas for the period of Friday 9^th October until Sunday 25^th October (inclusive):

• Ayrshire & Arran Health Board – comprising East, North & South Ayrshire
• Forth Valley Health Board – comprising Clackmannanshire, Falkirk & Stirling
• Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board – comprising Glasgow City, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, Renfrewshire & West Dunbartonshire
• Lanarkshire Health Board – comprising North & South Lanarkshire
• Lothian Health Board – comprising City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian & West Lothian

This update has the following impact for the Scottish women’s game:

Adult Football (Over 18’s)

• All clubs/players within the 5 Health Boards noted above cannot participate in any football activity including training, friendlies, fixtures etc.
• All clubs/players out with the 5 Health Boards noted above are permitted to participate in football activity but must not travel into the 5 designated Health Board areas above.  Note – all friendlies should still be as local as possible and require a permit from SWF.
• SWPL 1 & SWPL 2 Leagues only are exempt from the above restrictions as they fall under the category of professional sport as designated by the Scottish Government.  All clubs within these leagues are permitted to train and play in line with existing Return to Play protocols.
• Please note that there may be some changes to SWPL 2 fixtures on Sunday 18^th and Sunday 25^th October in order to ensure games remain as local as possible.  These changes will be communicated as soon as possible.  SWPL 1 fixture schedule remains unchanged.
• Scheduled Championship South fixtures can no longer take place on Sunday 18th and Sunday 25th October.  The League Management Committee will be in touch in due course to advise of re-scheduled dates for these fixtures
• At present, Championship North fixtures can go ahead as scheduled on Sunday 18^th & Sunday 25^th October
• SWFL West/South West & Central/South East fixtures can no longer take place on Sunday 18th and Sunday 25th October.  The League Management Committee will be in touch in due course to advise of re-scheduled dates for these fixtures
• At present, SWFL North/East fixtures can go ahead as scheduled on Sunday 18^th & Sunday 25^th October
• Scheduled U19’s National Performance League games can no longer take place on Sunday 25th October.

Youth Football (Under 18’s)

• All clubs/players within the 5 Health Boards noted above are permitted to participate in football activity but must not travel out with their own Health Board area.  Note – all friendlies should still be as local as possible and require a permit from SWF
• All clubs/players out with the 5 Health Boards noted above are permitted to participate in football activity but must not travel into the 5 designated Health Board areas above.  Note – all friendlies should still be as local as possible and require a permit from SWF
• Scheduled U15’s National Performance League games can no longer take place on Sunday 25th October.

For the avoidance of doubt, any friendly permits which have already been issued but are now in breach of the above guidance are no longer valid.

As always, please note that all of the above is subject to change in line with Scottish Government and National Governing Body Guidance.

We appreciate that many clubs, players and officials will be disappointed that additional restrictions are in place but we must stress that these are in the best interests of public health and we ask that everyone observes and respects these new instructions.

We would like to take this opportunity to remind all clubs/players and officials of their responsibilities to follow the Return to Football Protocols for both match play and training.  The importance of following the hygiene and distancing measures cannot be stressed enough and we appreciate your ongoing efforts and support during this incredibly challenging time.