The Football governing body FUFA issued COVID-19 regulations ahead of the 2020/2021 league competition restart.
The rules that were issued by FUFA were sent out to all FUFA members and shall be the ones to be followed as we continue to observe SOPs. The rules will play to all FUFA competitions including UPL, BEACH SOCCER, FUTSAL among others and the rules shall remain in force until amended by FUFA Executive committee.
The UPL season 2020/2021 kick starts December 03 rd 2020. FUFA has put in place a COVID-19 management committee which will be the only body to oversee and verify COVID-19 tests for all UPL and Big League teams.
RULES:
- Each team shall provide licensed players, authorized technical staff(with bench permits), and any other essential staff for the COVID-19 PCR test as advised by the COVID-19 management committee.
- Each team shall meet the cost of the COVID-19 PCR test of its participants.
- FUFA shall take responsibility for the COVID-19 PCR test for match officials.
- Only holders of PCR negative certificates shall participate in the match.
- Each team shall take full responsibility for PCR positive persons under the guidance of the management committee.
- Each team shall appoint and provide club/team Medical, Liaison officer, Club Hygiene, Implementation officer, and Club safety and security officer.
FUFA says that each team will be allowed to register 32 players and a match must be played if the team has 11 players (Including a goal Kepler and 4 substitutes).
- A team will lose the match 3-0 if it fails to honor the game due to a matter relating to COVID-19.
- A team will lose 3-0 if it does not have the minimum number of players 11(Including a goalkeeper and 4 substitutes).
FUFA adds that any exceptional circumstances shall be referred to the competition’s disciplinary panel for a final decision.
- However, no match shall be postponed or canceled for positive cases of the COVID-19 PCR test.
And FUFA continued and revealed the list of persons who will be allowed to attend UPL games when games start on December 3rd, 2020.
- All matches shall be played without fans as the federation seeks to follow government directives on the COVID-19 pandemic.
- FUFA says that any Club that will permit fans into the stadium without FUFA consent shall be liable for disciplinary action.
- All the attendants, besides players during warm ups or playing, will be expected to put on masks covering the nose and mouth.
STADIUMS ZONES.
ZONES 1. Field of play.
ZONE 2. Technical area and dressing room.
ZONE 3: Stadium internal and spectator stands.
ZONE 4: Stadium External zone.
- Only 20 Journalists will be allowed in the stadium internal and external zone.
ZONE 1 and 2 shall be strictly accessed by persons with COVID-19 PCR Negative result certificates. And these people include;
Match officials (6).
Ball personnel (6).
Stadium announcer (1).
Medical /stretcher (8).
Private security/access control (10).
Grounds maintenance (4).
Cleaners (4).
Photographers (5).
TV crew (10).
Marketing/Branding (3).
The home team (20).
Visiting team (10).
The following persons maximum shall be accredited for Zones 3 and 4 at each match.
The home team (20).
Visiting team (10).
TV crew (10).
Other media (20).
