THE Football Association are hoping to give the clearance for grassroots football to be played as early as NEXT weekend.
FA bosses are signing off on their proposals submitted to the government for all 11-a-side matches to return.
Grassroots could return as early as NEXT weekendCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
No grassroots action has been played since March because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
And SunSport understands they want the first games to be played on the weekend of July 25-26.
That would provide a huge boost to hundreds of thousands of amateur players across England.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport have indicated they are happy with the plans put in place by the FA to safeguard against the spread of the virus.
A formal announcement is yet to be made as final details are worked on.
And it could be the FA wait until next week to go public in order to prevent some breaking the current restrictions banning full-scale games.
But it is believed the last weekend of this month is the date they are working towards for the matches to be played should all go well.
Participants would still have to respect strict guidelines to reduce the risk of any contamination.
That will likely involve players being unable to share cramped dressing rooms or shower after matches.
Individual leagues would then have to work with the FA and clubs to ensure all regulations are being met before giving the go-ahead for the competitive season to begin.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk