A little-known FA rule has meant football in England is BANNED ahead of Euro 2024.
The England team are preparing for their European Championship campaign in Germany as they look to be one step better than finishing runners-up at Euro 2020.
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This resulted in two friendlies – one against Bosnia and Herzegovina and a second against Iceland – scheduled before the start of the tournament on 14 June.
However, fans who want to play football will only be able to do so after June 30, at least at an 11-a-side capacity.
This is due to an FA rule that stops all competitive 11-a-side matches during the “Closed Season” – including at youth and youth levels.
According to the rules, no affiliated team or referee is allowed to participate in games unless they are expressly given permission to do so.
The rules state: “The Closing Season will be defined as the period between 1 June and 30 June inclusive of each year…
“No matches other than those permitted and played in accordance with paragraph (c) of these rules may be played in the Closed Season.”
FA “Close Season
Closing season occurs between June 1st and 30th of each calendar year.
11 x 11 games cannot be played in June.
The following can be played in the Closed Season:
– Small Sided formats (3 x 3, 4 x 4, 5 x 5, 6 x 6, 7 x 7, 8 x 8, 9 x 9) can be played in June – This includes festivals and singles
– Games organized as part of work club sports days on private land and at festivals and similar sporting events
– Matches between Army, Navy and Royal Air Force teams and Auxiliary Forces teams in Competitions during camp
– Matches involving members of scouts, guides and similar organizations in competitions during camp
– National representative team or club matches played under the auspices of FIFA or UEFA;
– Matches between Premier League, EFL, FAWSL and FAWC clubs for the following season
– One-day, weekend and holiday competitions and festivals that meet the criteria and are sanctioned; and B8.3.8 Pilot Projects Dismissed by the Association or Sanctioning the Affiliated Association
With the exception of charity matches, all competing teams must be affiliated.
They add that only 9v9 and lower matches are allowed in June, including festivals and singles matches.
Other permissions to play 11v11 include privately organized games such as a club sports day, matches played between the Army, Navy, RAF and Auxiliary Forces during camp and for charity events.
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Games by national teams representing FIFA or UEFA are also permitted, which is why the Three Lions and Lionesses can play international matches this month.
Gareth Southgate’s team play their last friendly this Friday, before starting the tournament on June 16th against Serbia.
During this period, Southgate will need to reduce his provisional squad from 33 players to 26.
Players like Eberechi Eze and Cole Palmer gave their credentials for a seat on the plane in last night’s 3-0 victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
