Procedures
Players should be familiar with the fact that they must abide by the Laws of Association Football and that the Match Officials enforce these Laws. The consequences of breaches of the Laws of Association Football are cautions, dismissal from the field of play and possible charges from the County FA.
Participants are likely to be less familiar with the wide range of disciplinary procedures and to assist this The FA has developed guidance to summarise the County Disciplinary Procedures withing Grassroots Football.
Grassroots Disciplinary Guide 2022/23
The Grassroots Disciplinary Guide (formerly the Essential Information for Clubs at Step 5 and Below) for 2022/23 is now available – This is an online interactive reference guide to aid Leagues, Clubs and Players throughout the season.
You can access the handbook by clicking on the following link:
Grassroots Disciplinary Guide 2022/23
The handbook will be a useful guide to explain the disciplinary process and details the changes that have taken place over the last few years – including match based discipline, temporary dismissals, sanction guidelines, competition specific cautions and mandatory minimum sanctions. This year’s guide also includes videos and resources that will go into greater depth to explain the disciplinary process.
There is also a Leagues section to provide guidance for administrators regarding the Powers and Duties of the League.
The FA Handbook 2022/2023
Please click on this link for the electronic version of The FA Handbook 2022/23
Any Rules and Regulations published in the electronic Handbook will now be in force, unless otherwise stated.
Please note the electronic version of the Handbook has a number of features, including a search facility and the ability to generate a pdf of any section.
Sanction Guidelines
Our principle is that the sporting sanction should be consistent across ALL levels of the game and the fluctuating element would be the monetary sanction imposed to reflect the level of game.
The Sanction Guidelines document enables clubs and players to be aware of the guidance given to County Associations and Disciplinary Commissions for when assessing and deciding on disciplinary cases. This document will serve as a useful guide for Participants to have an awareness of likely sanction should the case against them be found proven.
You can access the document by clicking the following link:
County FA Disciplinary Sanction Guideline 2022/23
Personal HearingsWhen a participant or club is charged by the County FA and they do not accept the charge, they have the right to request a personal hearing.
The Personal Hearing Guide can be accessed via the link below, this guide explains the personal hearing process from start to finish for everyone that may be asked to attend.
Personal Hearing Guide
County and League Appeals Guide
An Individual or Club who has been the subject of a decision by the County FA and Disciplinary Commission or League may be afforded the opportunity to appeal the case or decision to The FA.
The County and League Appeals Guide can be accessed via the link below, this guide explains the Appeals process from start to finish for everyone that may be asked to attend.
County and League Appeals Guide
Grassroots Discipline Complaints ProcessThe FA Grassroots Discipline Team have implemented a new Grassroots Discipline Complaints Process .Full details are available from the link below.