A little-known English FA rule had prompted football to be banned in England for four weeks ahead of Euro 2024 in Germany.
The little-known rule originated by the English FA states that “the close season shall be defined as the period between June 1 and June 30, inclusive, each year.”
“No matches other than those permitted and played in accordance with paragraph (c) of these rules may be played in the close season.”
The FA Rule stopped all football competitions at both the grassroots and youth levels. Under this rule, no associate teams or referees are allowed to participate in any game unless they are given permission to do so.
A 11-side team won’t participate in any on-field activities from June 1 to June 30 in England. Also, fans wanting to watch their teams perform won’t be watching a single game until June 30.
However, there are exemptions to the stated FA Rule. One of the exemptions is that nine vs. nine football matches are allowed in June, including the festival and single matches.
Other exemptions are 11 vs. 11 fixtures organized privately as a club sports day, and matches played between the country’s Army, Navy, and other security personnel, including matches for charity events, are allowed to take place during those four weeks.
Matches for national teams under the governing bodies of FIFA and UEFA are allowed to take place. The Three Lions and Lionesses are participating in international matches due to the exemption in the FA rule.
The England national team are looking forward to the Euro 2024 after losing the Euro 2020 final to Italy at Wembley Stadium, England, via penalties.
Ahead of the Euro 2024, the Three Lions played a friendly match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 3, 2024, where the team won by three goals to nil.
The Gareth Southgate men are also preparing for another friendly match against Iceland, which will be played on June 7, 2024.
The Lionesses triumphed over the France women’s national team on June 4, 2024, by two goals to one, boosting their hope of securing the Euro 2025 Women Competition.
The Lionesses are currently in third place in Group A3, and they are on the same level as the Sweden women’s national team in terms of points. Both teams have seven points after playing four matches.
The England women will have to beat the Republic of Ireland to move above Sweden, who will be playing against France. The France women’s national team are currently at the top of Group A3 with 10 points from four matches.
The top two teams in the group will qualify for the Euro 2025 Women Competition in Switzerland.
What do you think about the FA rule that banned football for four weeks? Air your views in the comments section.
