The Department for Education and The FA have now clarified the position for football in schools during the current lockdown period. As a result of the DfE guidance, which you can see below, competition between schools is now not permitted and as a consequence, inter-school football is suspended until 2nd December, when the government reviews its position. A reminder that rep football is already suspended in accordance with the government and FA guidance for the grassroots game.
Consequently, the “play by” dates for the first round of ESFA National Competitions scheduled to begin in November or December will now move to January 2021, with specific dates for each competition to follow.
Outside of inter-school competition, football within individual schools can continue, subject to risk assessment and to meeting the specific conditions in the guidance which include retaining children in their bubbles whilst playing, and the thorough cleaning of equipment between sessions. Again, further details are in the guidance.
The National Governing Body for Schools’ Football in England.