The FA currently issues fines to minors between the age of 12 and 17 according to the same rules as those 18 and over. This means that if a child receives a red card they will face a £40 penalty notice (£25 fine+£15 admin fee) and a 2 match ban.

Consider the following:

1 These children are playing at grassroots level and are still learning the rules of the game.

2 They are not as emotionally well equipped as adults when it comes to regulating their emotions.

3 The the majority of these children also have no form of income to pay a fine.

These basic differences make it an unfair system for children. 

Unfortunately, it is parents/guardians who foot the bill as these grassroots teams are unable to afford to pay the fines on the young players behalf. 

There is also no realistic appeals procedure for certain red card fines and the ones you can appeal have a £50 charge to process. This is more expensive than paying the fine and if you lose the appeal you then have to pay the fine any way resulting in you then being £90 out of pocket. 

This needs to be addressed at the highest level of the FA as county branches have to follow the rules they are given and cannot deviate. 

Our children should be able to enjoy grassroots football without the fear of their parents having the pay a fine. 

Rules need to be in place but the punishment must fit the offence. In all other areas of any justice system children are treated differently than adults. This should be the same in grassroots football. 

Please sign this petition to at least get a conversation started about review these unfair rules.