New regulations see players get red card for not abiding by post Covid rules

The league, which has been shut down since March, could potentially return in July.

This comes following the announcement made by Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden that five-a-side football could return very soon.

The Leisure League releasing a statement reading: “We have undertaken a thorough review of all our procedures, and we can today announce some small changes to make sure our competitions run perfectly as soon as we kick off again. One of these is a permanent change, the rest are under constant review.

“The main differences you will see at your leagues are as follows. First, we will not be allowing you to warm up with our footballs. You must bring a ball from home for practice.

“Also, we will only be giving out bibs in exceptional circumstances, and when we do, they will be washed before the following game, but because of this, you must wear matching colours to be certain of the game kicking off.

“In addition, it is requested that all teams pay for games in advance using the website, as money is regarded as a spreader of the Covid-19 virus, we need to drastically reduce the handling of cash that our league staff are required to undertake.

“Social distancing has become something we are all familiar with, and we would also expect that you stay in groups with your own team, when you aren’t playing – and whilst our commitment to sportsmanship remains total, please use common sense and do not shake hands at the end of the game. And wash your hands where possible before the match.

“Discipline at our leagues is already superb, and we thank you all for your commitment to that, but we have communicated with all our referees to tell them of a permanent change to the rules, which will not allow you within 2m of any of our staff during the match – this will remain in place even after Covid-19 is no longer with us.

“If you do not adhere to this, we have instructed referees to issue a red card.”