More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Kent County League chairman Gavin Hoare has blasted those taking part in a “full-on” game which was officiated by a referee.
Reports of the game were circulated on social media over the weekend and it has prompted Mr Hoare to issue a strongly worded statement.
In a statement issued on Tuesday night, he said: “I am sure many of you have seen pictures of two teams with a referee doing a full on games last week.
“At present we believe that none of our clubs would be stupid enough to entertain such a moronic act.
“At this time the league can only reiterate: If you want to get back to playing football then follow the guidance laid out to the letter. No friendlies, means no friendlies. Do not undermine all that we have done in readiness for a restart.
“I for one will have no qualms about naming and shaming any club or referee that takes part in any such activity.
“I also have no doubt that member clubs would also not take kindly to a club bringing the leagues good name into disrepute. If you do it, you will be caught.”
Mr Hoare encouraged anyone who spots teams playing games should report the offenders to the Kent FA.
Former VCD manager Keith McMahon tweeted a picture of a game taking place which prompted other managers to voice their dismay, including Steve McKimm and Micky Collins.
Collins, manager of Sevenoaks, said: "Absolute liberty takers with no regards for Kent FA guidelines or people’s safety."
The Kent FA have said there were reports of “a number of teams” that were failing to adhere to government and FA advice regarding re-starting football activity.
They said: “To be absolutely clear competitive match play, whether that be against other teams or an internal training match, is not permitted.
“Government guidelines are clear around physical contact with anyone outside of you household and we would strongly encourage our member clubs to follow this guidance.”
Current guidances says that football training or fitness activities should be in groups of no more than five with other people from outside your household, keeping socially distant at all times.
Social distancing guidelines should be followed between people from different households wherever possible.
Physical contact with anyone outside your household (a support bubble counts as one household) is not permitted at this time.
Training sessions can be organised with two or more groups of six (with each group including a coach) involved in the session, as long as the groups are kept separate, and everyone is socially distancing.
The guidelines say that “by choosing to deliver this activity, you are taking the responsibility to ensure that the group or groups you work with remain socially distant at all time by remaining two metres apart or one metre plus mitigations (such as face coverings or avoiding face-to-face contact) where two metres is not possible.”
