Statement from Jersey Football Association CEO David Kennedy - 16 November 2020

The Jersey Football Association welcomes the newly-published Government of Jersey measures announced today (16.11.2020) in light of the increasing number of Covid-19 cases.

We’re pleased that the government has recognised the importance of sport for both physical and mental wellbeing, and is permitting gathering limits for outdoor sports activities to remain unchanged at a maximum of 40 people. This ensures football can continue in the island for now.

Covid has already taken so much away from our game, whether it be cup finals, awards nights, Muratti fixtures or the conclusion to last season. We really don’t want to be in that position again.

Football will now undoubtedly be under the spotlight, and it’s vital our football clubs are doing everything possible to comply with the guidelines. We’d urge clubs to continue their efforts to control spectator numbers, and where appropriate and possible deny entry to grounds where the 40-person capacity has already been reached. We’re aware of the strain this may put on volunteers, who have so far responded brilliantly to the pandemic, but we require your continued support and a collective effort from the football community to make sure football complies with the government restrictions. It would be devastating if they were forced into a U-turn.

While 40 remains the unchanged limit for outdoors sport, clubs should make themselves aware of the new lower cut-offs for informal social gatherings (now 10) and more organised, structured gatherings (now 20). This will have an impact on clubhouse use after matches and committee meetings, for example.