FA to deduct points from Step 7 clubs and below from 23/24 in crackdown on serious misconduct

The FA announced they are to deduct points from Step 7 clubs and below from the 2023/24 season in a crackdown on serious misconduct.

Point deductions will apply to clubs at the fourth tier of non league and below of the men’s game, and clubs across Tier 3 and below in the women’s pyramid after seeing a rise in trouble in recent years.

Four months ago, a report emerged, stating hundreds of referees fear for their safety at grassroots level after being punched, headbutted, spat at among many other things. See more on that including videos, details and officials sharing their experiences of incidents by clicking HERE.

The FA will introduce point deductions for teams across the grassroots game from the start of the 2023/24 season if their players or coaches commit repeated offences of serious misconduct.

— The FA (@FA) May 30, 2023

FA STATEMENT

The FA will introduce point deductions for teams across the grassroots game from the start of the 2023-24 season if their players or coaches commit repeated offences of serious misconduct.

This landmark development has been approved by the Football Regulatory Authority and ratified by the FA Council, and it is part of our commitment to tackle and address incidents of unacceptable behaviour in the game. The tougher sanctions follow consistent feedback from across grassroots football that player behaviour is a significant issue, and will specifically target offending teams where its participants commit serious misconduct, making clear to clubs that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated.

Point deductions will apply to clubs at Step 7 and below of the men’s game, and clubs across Tier 3 and below in the women’s pyramid, which commit cumulative incidents of serious misconduct, such as acts of discrimination and assault or attempted assault, physical contact or attempted physical contact against a match official.

Deductions will range from three to 12 points depending on the number of breaches within 12 months of the team’s first offence and severity of the case(s).

FA CEO Mark Bullingham said: “This is a significant step for grassroots football in England, and clearly outlines our commitment to tackle incidents of serious misconduct. We frequently hear from grassroots participants that player behaviour is a growing issue and we’re determined to change this. So from the start of the 2023-24 season, players and coaches who repeatedly offend will hurt their team by losing points. Unacceptable behaviour towards other players and officials will not be tolerated.

“We hope this proves to be a strong deterrent which helps to improve the culture within the grassroots game. We’re also working with the professional leagues and other stakeholders to tackle poor behaviour in the professional game and will provide an update on this ahead of next season.”

FA senior discipline manager Fraser Williamson added: “We care deeply about ensuring everybody within grassroots football has a good experience and can enjoy the game in a positive environment. We’ve acted on the feedback that we’ve received and it’s great to see this important step come to fruition. Our County FAs work very hard to bring local communities together through the love of football and we hope this will help to make our grassroots game more inclusive and welcoming for all.”

We will continue to work with the wider game and the English football authorities to identify new ways to improve behaviour at every level, and further details will be announced before the start of the 2023-24 season.

More information on the sanctioning guidelines across the grassroots game can be found here.

Here’s how fans reacted as the FA say they are to deduct points from Step 7 clubs and below from 23/24 in a crackdown on serious misconduct…

@Sooty07LUFC: Not sure about this…one persons actions could destroy the club and it’s whole season. When a player goes over the white line what control do the club have and why can’t the individual be punished accordingly instead of stitching the volunteers and wider team? Soft option imo

@TCGSweeney13: Should be top to bottom… it’s absolute nonsense that it’d Step 7 and below in the men’s game and Tier 3 and below in the women’s.

@S_Fitz95: But this behaviour and abuse like racism at the top is a small fine and slap on the wrists 🙄

@BowkerStu: Absolute fucking piss take let’s take more money out of the grassroots game! Great idea the @FA won’t do it to the professional game as too scared to take on premier league teams lawyers and lose but will do it to teams who don’t have enough money to defend themselves DISGUSTING!

@ArtexGabriel: The good old FA, punishing grass roots teams and players when the real issues are in the professional game. £50 fines and 30 day bans for a red card, yet professionals get a 1 match ban. Laughable.

@savegrassroots: Shouldn’t this start with the Premier League

@ElkinsDenis: This could be interesting a step up from sin bins

@craigbuxton11: You should start with the Premier League first..

@Graham_Sargent1: Shouldn’t this happen in all forms of football? Just like sin bins should happen in the premier league – will cut down dissent

@pjcadden: This would have more impact if it started from the top down..

@SeeingRedv2: So, when this is copied by the Premier League, that’s us getting a points deduction to set the precedent that’s never followed or implemented for any other side in the league all season then.

@davidpick1987: This is a very very good step that needs to be filtered down to the kids leagues too. Stamp out some of the absolute idiots that attend these games and, in a lot of cases, it will teach the clubs to control and develop their kids correctly from a decorum point of view.

@NichWithAnH: But not for professional clubs? Hopeless.

@coopemania: Best news I’ve heard in years . About time 👏👏👏

@tappa1984: 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻 about time!!! It won’t eradicate it but like to think it could make some positive strides to clamp down on the issues. Wonder how many teams will stop filming their games so it can/can’t be used as evidence to avoid a points deduction 🤔

@DillonGascoigne: Should be at all levels of the game, including the Pro Leagues!