Changes to the disciplinary process

Following advice and guidance from the Football Association there have been changes made to the appeals process for disciplinary cases involving young people.

The reasons for this are simply that it is not considered appropriate for young people to attend appeal hearings as the experience may be distressing for them.

The following changes apply with immediate affect for cases reported to the Gloucestershire Football association:

Players aged under 14 years - A young person aged 13 years or under reported / sent from field of play wishing to appeal should generally not attend a formal disciplinary hearing. If the option requesting attendance at a hearing is selected on the relevant forms the matter will be referred to the Gloucestershire County Football Association Limited appointed County Welfare Officer (CWO). As a result the CWO may elect to arrange to meet with the child and a  parent / carer to hear the child's account of events. That account would then be submitted to the appeal hearing convened to consider the appeal.

Players aged between 14 years and 16 years - A young person can attend a disciplinary hearing provided that:

a) He / She understands that it is his / her duty to speak the truth

b) His her evidence is sufficiently important top justify it being heard

c) the appropriate procedures within the FA guidelines are adopted

There are also changes for players aged 17 years and 18 years that are not relevant within the Avon Youth League. Further information can be obtained by contacting the GFA CWO by email on childprotection@gloucestershirefa.com.

A copy of the FA Guidance to County FA's can be viewed or downloaded here.