This Update has ONE important message this week which we would ask you to please read.
Increased penalties for No Team sheets and No ID card checks come into force 1st January – 3 days time
Just like any organisation where you agree to be a member – A football club, Cubs/Brownies, A bank or building society etc – there are rules and regulations you agree to abide by as part of that membership. The same is true of the YEL. We have rules and regulations which are voted in by the members at the AGM.
Two specific rules around completing an ID check prior to every YEL game and providing a team sheet to any officially appointed YEL referee have been in force since the start of the season. They are there to protect children having been designed to ensure children are playing against registered players who are insured; of the correct age; members of YEL clubs and are who they say they are. These are not rules which you can opt in/opt out of. They have to be adhered to by all members at all YEL games.
The vast majority of member teams and coaches have been completing ID checks and team sheets since the start of the season however, there are still some that feel it doesn’t matter and doesn’t apply to them. They are putting their own players and opposition players at risk for a simple one minute task.
In the past month, four teams from the same club have been found trying to play unregistered players and one was an unregistered 13 year old in a U11 match who they thought it would be OK, ‘to make up the numbers! – fortunately this was picked up by an ID check before they could potentially injure a 10 year old. The physique of a 13 yr old is very different to that of a 10 yr old.
Another team attempted to play three Div 2 players in a Div 6 team for the same club in a top of the table clash. Their defence was they ‘needed the win’ to win the league. How fair is that against the team in second place?
- U7-U14 Must complete an ID check before every YEL game PENALTY for failing to carry out a proper ID check prior to the game – £100 Fine
- U9-U14 Must provide a written team to a YEL referee officially appointed through Full Time for any YEL organised game – friendly, league or cup PENALTY £20 for 1st offence; £40 for 2nd offence; £80 for 3rd and any subsequent offences.
- What constitutes an official ID Check? Every team should be carrying a printed A4 paper version of the official squad list downloaded from Whole Game System (WGS). If in doubt, ask your club secretary. Prior to the game, swap sheets with your opposite number, call in all of the players and call out the opposition players names and check the images match the player. A cursory glance at an opposition manager’s phone is NOT an ID check.
- What is a Team sheet? It is a list of your players and shirt numbers (Definitely NOT a copy of your squad list with children’s pictures on as this would be a massive safeguarding breach). The list should be the names of the players on the pitch at the start along with a list of the substitutes.
- If you are in any doubt or have any queries, do not hesitate to contact the YEL Game Day Hotline for advice prior to kicking off as rules that are not followed can and probably will, lead to matches being declared null and void or being awarded to the opposition.
YEL Game Day hotline
If you have any issues or on the day queries relating to your game only, you can contact the YEL Game Day Hotline number for advice.
07510 305354
Available between 9.30am and 12.30pm on Sat/Sun
ONLY AVAILABLE FOR ON THE DAY MATCH RELATED ENQUIRIES – no other issues will be discussed.
Contacting the YEL
If you email the YEL OFFICE – yel@live.co.uk – please ensure you state the team name, age group and playing day so we can quickly deal with the enquiry
Rob Harwood CEO
YEL OFFICE