IMPORTANT REMINDERS‼️

Here is a list of some key reminders for all PDJAL Club Secretaries &/or Team Coaches/Managers to action, implement, review & share etc prior to the new season kicking off on 19/20th Sept. Appreciate there are a lot of key points below but hopefully this reminder will help to ensure an enjoyable & smooth start to the new 2020/21 season and beyond for everyone involved PDJAL football.

• A raised Respect Barrier must be used on the Spectators side of the pitch, with Team Manager/Coach (MAXIMUM 3 PERSONS) on the opposite side of the pitch, who are to remain within four metres of the half way line, known as the technical area, which is to be marked out by cones if not marked already.

• An Officer or the Coach/Manager of the home Club/Team must give notice of full particulars of the location, and access to the Ground and time of kick-off to the appointed Match Official/Referee and the Officer or the Coach/Manager of the opposing Club/Team at least 6 clear days prior to the playing of the Competition Match.

• There will be NO player ID Cards/Passports shown between both team coaches/managers prior to kick off due to COVID-19. And if club/team still have any player ID cards/passports, please immediately send them back to the appropriate age group registration secretary as previously requested by the League - click on link for each registration secretary contact details, https://resources.thefa.com/…/…/data/league1137979/1948.docx

• There will be NO Respect Handshake but both sets of Teams can still do the walk (observing the social distance guidelines) with a positive comment like, have a good game, good luck etc as a show of Respect to each other prior to kick off.

• For U11-U14s. Clubs/Teams may use up to 7 from 7 substitute Players. A Player who has been substituted becomes a substitute and may replace any Player at any time subject to the substitution being carried out in accordance with Law 3 of the Laws of Association Football.

• For Mini-Soccer – any number of substitutions may be used at any time with the permission of the referee. Entry onto the field of play will only be allowed during a stoppage in play. A Player who has been replaced may return to play as a substitute for another Player. A Team must not have a match day squad greater than double the size of its starting team in an age group. U7-U8s 10 squad players & U9-U10s 14 squad players

• All Teams taking part in our league shall identify a Team captain who may/shall wear an armband and shall have a responsibility to offer support in the management of the on-field discipline of his/her teammates. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

• The Competition and Clubs are permitted to collect but NOT publish results or any grading tables for fixtures involving Under 7s, Under 8s, Under 9s, Under 10s, and Under 11s.

• Match Officials/Referees will be paid their fees and/or expenses by the home Club/Team before or immediately after the Development/League or Cup Match, unless otherwise ordered by the Management Committee – Mini soccer (U7-U10s) £12 flat fee & U11 to U14s £18 + 25p per mile travelling expenses to & from the match location. Best practice for U11-U14 Team Coaches/Managers, is to ask your appointed match official/referee how much their match fee will be when confirming the match details with them to ensure you have a fee ready to avoid any delays/issues going forward.

• Due to COVID -19 all cash payments are to be made in an envelope. Clubs/Teams may pay by Bacs but must make prior arrangements when confirming their fixture with the referee & he/she must receive payment by 6pm on the day following the match

• Match durations:

U/7 & U/8 Duration is 4 x 10 minutes or 2 x 20 minutes but the latter option must be agreed prior to k/o by both teams and referee

U/9 = 2 x 20 minutes

U/10 = 2 x 25 minutes

U/11 & U/12 = 2 x 30 minutes

U/13 & U/14 = 2x 35 minutes

• Match ball sizes:

U/7 to U/10 – Size 3

U/11 to U/14 – Size 4

• Optional Power Play is available to all for mini-soccer ages/formats, U7 to U10s / 5v5 & 7v7

If the Power Play is to be used, this must be agreed between both team coaches/managers & the appointed referee must be informed of this agreed decision prior to kick off.

If a team is losing by a 4 goal difference they can put an additional player on to the field of play – so 5v5 becomes 6v5

If the score returns to less than a 4 goal difference the team takes off a player. This player does not have to be the last player who came to the field of play

If the team goes on to be losing by a 6 goal difference a further additional player can be added to the field of play – so 6v5 becomes 7v5

Again, if the score returns to a 4 goal difference the team takes off a player. This player does not have to be the last player who came to the field of play

Obviously this can only happen if both teams have the additional squads players at the match to implement this Power Play option

• Notes on Social Media and Newspaper Match Reports:-

All comments on social networking sites and newspapers may be considered public comments.

Any comments which are improper, bring the game into disrepute or are threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting will be reported and may/shall lead to disciplinary action by the relevant County FA

Comments about match officials which imply bias, attack officials integrity or are overtly personal in nature are considered improper.

Comments which include a reference to a person's ethnic origin, colour, race, nationality, faith, gender, sexual orientation or disability may be considered aggravated and attract a higher disciplinary action.

Re- tweeting of another person’s post which is considered inappropriate or falls within the aforementioned may lead to disciplinary action if the original post was improper.

Deleting or apologising publicly for improper posting whilst advisable does not prevent disciplinary action.

An individual is responsible for posting on his/her account. Participants should take care to ensure others do not access their account as the fact that a posting or comment may have been made by a 3rd party will not prevent disciplinary action.

Participants should exercise caution with the content of any posting on social networking sites and in the content of any newspaper article/match reports.

The Football Association or the Peterborough and District Junior Alliance League Rules shall cover any items not covered by these rules.