This Update has FOUR messages this week which we would ask you to please read.
COVID Update – statement 25th February 2022
Card checks
16th March deadline for transfers
Cup competition, cancellations & cup tied players
COVID Update – statement 25th February 2022
In light of the latest government announcement regarding the ending of all COVID related restrictions including, in particular, the need to self isolate, the YEL Board is issuing updated guidance to take immediate effect.
We are ending the COVID cancellation policy announced in January which stated that teams would not be penalised for COVID related cancellations.
Teams are encouraged to play the league and cup fixtures as scheduled with the players they have available on the day provided it meets the minimum requirements as set out by The FA. Any team cancelling will be subject to the rules and regulations set out and approved by the membership at the AGM prior to the start of the season. Copies of the rules and regulations can be found on YELonline.com
For the avoidance of any doubt, any cup games that are not played on the scheduled date will be referred to the YEL Discipline Team for a decision (can be brought forward with both teams’ agreement and played anytime in the week prior to the scheduled date). It is highly likely that a cup game cancelled by a team will be awarded to the opposition as per the knockout cup rules.
Card checks
Concerningly, we are receiving anecdotal reports of some teams not doing card checks before games. This is a reminder that it is a league rule that both teams in ALL YEL organised games – league, friendly and cup games – must show their ID cards downloaded from WGS prior to the start of the game. If you have somehow avoided showing cards to this point of the season, count yourself very lucky not to have been fined. Please ensure that this weekend you have ID cards/sheets available for inspection by your opposition. Anyone found to not have shown cards will immediately be referred to the YEL Discipline team. Apart from fines, other sanctions are available. For cup competitions in particular, anyone not showing cards can be treated as a cancellation on the day which will result in instant removal from the cup. There is no reason for ID sheets/cards not to be shown so please do not be responsible for your players being removed from the cup or have points removed from them after they have won a league fixture.
16th March deadline for transfers
REMINDER: As per YEL rules 18(I) A Player may not be registered for a Club nor transferred to another Club in the Competition after 16th March except by special permission of the Management Committee.
If you are looking to sign an additional player/s the transfer must be completed by 16th March – Transfer Deadline day
Cup competition, cancellations & cup tied players
Cup competition matches – We would remind everyone that it is a rule that cup games must be played on the date scheduled (or anytime in the week leading up to the scheduled date with the agreement of the opposition for games up to and inc. the quarter finals). Semi finals and the finals are set and cannot be moved to an earlier date.
Cancellations – As per the COVID update, matches can no longer be cancelled for COVID reasons without penalty. Teams must play with the players they have available provided they have the minimum number of players as set by The FA. Any cup cancellations will be referred to the YEL Discipline team. Please be aware – it is highly likely that the game will be awarded to the opposition in these instances.
Cup tied players – Please note that a player who has played in a previous round for another team in the same age group and playing day cannot play for another team in the same age group cup competition as they will be cup tied and therefore ineligible. Any team found to have played an ineligible player will be removed from the competition. Please check and make sure you do not fall foul of this rule.
Game Day Hotline
If you have any match day queries when at your game – Saturday or Sunday – and need advice, contact the YEL Game Day Hotline. It is monitored by YEL staff and is available between 9.30am and 12.30pm for match day queries only.
07510 305354
Rob Harwood CEO
YEL OFFICE