Here's the formal bit; FA Rulebook Rule 11 (D) The Competition and Clubs are permitted to collect but NOT publish results or any grading tables for fixtures involving Under 7s, Under 8s, Under 9s, Under 10s, and Under 11s. Any Competition failing to abide by this Rule will be dealt with by the Sanctioning Authority, and any Club failing to abide by this Rule will be fined (in accordance with the Fines Tariff).

The Surrey FA have confirmed this includes social media including closed membership groups.

What does this mean?
There must be no publication of scores, results or tables on websites, social media or any other means referring to Under-7 to Under-11 football.

Reports or posts which highlight the efforts and performances of teams are permitted; however detailing results, scores and scorers are not permitted.

This does not mean the FA are suggesting that Under-11 football should not be celebrated and promoted.

We want to hear about the experiences of youngsters in grassroots football and help support and promote the fantastic efforts and work going on across the county. We also know coaches, parents and carers want to talk about football across social media – but scores and results can’t be!

Below are a couple of examples (names used are not real) highlighting some do’s and don’ts. These are not exhaustive and provide only a guide.

Yes – it’s okay to say
‘A fantastic performance from my team today – proud of all my players!’
‘So proud of Ben scoring in his match today’
‘A great effort by all my players in the game today’
‘Played Futsal today – some cracking goals and great efforts from the players’

No – it’s not okay to say
‘So proud of my son Craig today, scoring in their Under 8 win over City’
‘Won 2-1 at Futsal – well done boys’
‘Beat Utd today – get in!’
‘Great game today, our goal scorers against City were Ben, James, Paul and Jess.’

I hope this is useful. Any questions please ask.

Kind regards

David Law