FA Guidance regarding extreme heat / weather warnings
- With your respective leagues kicking off this weekend, please see below the guidance issued by the FA for match officials in regards to the extreme heat/weather warning.
- I have also attached the FA’s guidance on using 3G pitches in hot weather.
- It will have not escaped your attention that we are about to encounter another exceptionally warm weather period – specifically over the course of the forthcoming weekend when games all over the country will be played. It is of course paramount that we take extra care and attention to player and participant safety during this period and act sensibly and cautiously throughout.
- This may involve:
- Giving yourself extra time to travel to and from your matches.
- Where competitions permit and with pre-match communication with both clubs facilitate player and match official ‘wellbeing’ breaks at sensible junctions during the game. These should be relatively short but give sufficient time for players to cool and take on extra fluids etc.
- Maintaining dialogue with clubs and colleagues in the lead up to your fixtures – some clubs are already expressing safety concerns around unusually dry pitches, 3G surfaces (as they generate extra heat) and a restriction of water in certain areas. As we are involved in a senior level of the game we know our match official workforce will display the necessary degree of flexibility, understanding and empathy in the extreme and exceptional circumstances that we find ourselves within whilst operating within the framework of the laws of the game and competition guidance.
- Many thanks,
Lukas - Lukas Wood
- Referee Development Manager, Essex County Football AssociationThe County Office | Springfield Lyons Approach |Chelmsford | Essex | CM2 5LBT: 01245 393076E: lukas.wood@essexfa.comW: www.essexfa.comIncorporated in Cardiff | No. 3843186
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