FAI notes Government green light for underage training return

The Football Association of Ireland notes confirmation from Government that underage football, Grassroots and League of Ireland, 

can return to non-contact training from April 26^th, the first step on a phased return for football at all levels of the game.

Reacting to the announcement by Taoiseach Micheal Martin, FAI CEO Jonathan Hill has acknowledged the work of Government and its agencies 

to facilitate the return to training on April 26^th, in pods of 15 for all underage players.

The CEO has also assured all amateur adult teams that this return for underage players is the first step 

towards a return to football for all grassroots players as Ireland eases out of lockdown.

“We obviously see this announcement from Government as a positive for all our underage players who have waited so patiently

 for the chance to play football again although, of course,

 we would have loved this to have been from April 5^th but we note the realities of the current situation,” said Jonathan Hill.

“Non-contact training in pods of 15 represents the start of a return for our game that will see all our players at all ages 

permitted to train and then to play in what we hope will be the near future. 

This battle with COVID-19 has been so demanding for Irish society and our footballers have had to endure so much in Level 5 lockdown.

“We thank them for their perseverance and their patience. The adherence to the Government guidelines of our grassroots clubs, their volunteers, coaches, match officials and players,

 has been exemplary and to be applauded. Our adult amateur game will unfortunately need to continue to be patient as we await a return to training for them and of course playing matches,

 but our game has proven itself to be safe in a COVID-19 environment and I urge all clubs to maintain this as we return in the first instance to training for our younger players on April 26^th.”

The FAI will now take the following steps in light of the Government update:

• We will update the FAI’s Safer Return to Training protocols for our underage teams and players.
• We will host a COVID-19 webinar for all Grassroots Leagues and affiliates on April 12^th.
• We will follow this with regional workshops for Club COVID-19 Compliance Officers during which we will present and discuss our latest protocols in detail.
• We will review where we stand with all affiliates in relation to all Leagues and Competitions and agree next steps as soon as is possible.
• We will consult with the SFAI on the hosting of the Kennedy Cup and the Gaynor Cup tournaments later this year.
• We will consult with all Men’s and Women’s Underage National League clubs on their return to training schedule and next steps.

Cathal Dervan Director of Public Relations & Communications Email: cathal.dervan@fai.ie  |  Web: www.fai.ie Mobile: +353 87 243 2978 Football Association of Ireland National Sports Campus Abbotstown Dublin 15

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https://www.fai.ie/domestic/news/fai-update-on-covid-19-restrictions-feb-2021
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31/12/2020

Update from FAI here:
https://www.fai.ie/domestic/news/fai-update-on-latest-covid-19-guidelines

FAI UPDATE ON GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES FOR FOOTBALL IN LEVEL 5

All football activity is suspended until January 31^st with immediate effect - with the exception of senior SSE Airtricity League and senior Women’s National League teams who are exempt.

 In addition to this, please note the following:

• The new Government Level 5 Guidelines DO NOT ALLOW for any collective team training for any team other than senior SSE Airtricity League or Women’s National League teams
• The new Government Level 5 Guidelines DO NOT ALLOW for any adult amateur, Futsal and underage football activity including the underage National Leagues and all schoolboy and schoolgirl football
• The new Government Level 5 Guidelines DO NOT ALLOW for any trials or assessments until further notice – with the exception of senior SSE Airtricity League and senior Women’s National League teams who are exempt subject to League guidelines
• The new Government Level 5 Guidelines allow for INDIVIDUALtraining only

FAI Update on Level 3 COVID-19 Government Guidelines for Irish Football  1-12-2020

Following consultation with Government, in light of the country's move to Level 3 COVID-19 restrictions, the Football Association of Ireland can confirm the following:

• All adult amateur teams can enjoy a return to training as from today, subject to strict Government guidelines and FAI Safer Return to Training Protocol
• For adult amateur and underage teams, outdoor non-contact training is permissible in pods of 15 with a minimum of one coach present. Two coaches must be present for all underage teams
• Players and coaches are permitted to travel to train with the club they are registered with
• The FAI is currently awaiting clarification regarding how the restrictions will impact underage Elite National League football and will update affiliates at the earliest opportunity

https://www.fai.ie/domestic/news/fai-update-on-level-3-covid-19-government-guidelines-for-irish-football

Statement on Latest Government COVID-19 Guidelines

The Football Association of Ireland welcomes the Government’s decision to move Ireland from Level 5 lockdown to Level 3 from Tuesday, December 1st, and will now hold internal meetings to discuss the implication of this move for our game. The FAI also intends to hold discussions with the Government early next week in relation to Safer Return to Training and Safer Return to Play timelines for all levels of the game and will update stakeholders at the earliest opportunity.

Following clarification from Government, the FAI confirms the following Level 5 guidelines for football will come into effect from midnight 21st Oct.
FAI Protocol Update following Government Covid 19 Level 5 Restrictions:

https://www.fai.ie/domestic/news/fai-update-on-level-5-guidelines-for-football

FAI Update on Level 5 Training Guidelines 21-10-2020

Following clarification from Government, the FAI confirms the following Level 5 guidelines for football will come into effect, but please be aware these are the latest directives and subject to change: All underage club teams from Under-19 age group down are permitted to train outdoors during Level 5 restrictions  All outdoor training for underage players is to be non-contact in pods of no more than 15 and in compliance with the latest Government guidelines For underage training - players/coaches/parents/guardians are permitted to travel more than 5 kilometres to attend an organised session  For underage training - players/coaches/parents/guardians are permitted to travel outside their resident county to attend an organised training session SSE Airtricity Premier Division and First Division and Women’s National League matches and training continue All other domestic adult and underage football matches remain in cessation In accordance with Government Level 5 guidelines, training is not permitted for non-elite adult teams The FAI will continue to talk to Government and will monitor any changes to Level 5 restrictions. We will update these guidelines as required and as soon as possible.

Following the Government’s introduction of Level 3 COVID-19 restrictions across the country, the FAI announces the cessation from midnight on 6th Oct, of all Adult Amateur and Underage football matches, with the exception of elite football.

Updated FAI Protocol as of 7 Oct 2020:

https://www.fai.ie/sites/default/files/atoms/files/FAI%20Return%20to%20Training%20-%20October.%20pdf.pdf

More here ➡️ 

https://www.fai.ie/domestic/latest

All Munster Senior League matches  are suspended until further notice.