Published: Monday, July 27th 2020
SAFER RETURN TO PLAY FAQ
DO WE NEED TO HAVE A COVID-19 COMPLIANCE OFFICER AT EVERY
GAME?
A home team’s COVID-19 Compliance Officer must attend every home fixture, check that
the FAI Safer Return to Play Protocol is observed and maintain a full record of attendance for
contact tracing purposes. The away team COVID-19 officer is not compelled to attend the
fixture but must be provided with a list of the travelling attendees to keep on record for
contact tracing purposes.
WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DO NOT HAVE A COMPLIANCE OFFICER PRESENT
FOR A HOME GAME?
If the Match Official feels that they, the players, or coaching staff are at risk in proceeding
with the fixture, they are not compelled to officiate the fixture. Otherwise, the Match Official
should proceed with the fixture, in agreement with both teams, and report the matter to the
League thereafter. The League can then address the matter directly with the club in question.
ARE TEAM PHOTOGRAPHS ALLOWED?
No, team photographs are strictly prohibited. HSE guidelines and the FAI’s Safer Return to
Play Protocol state that 2 metres social distancing is strictly adhered to wherever possible.
WHAT ARE THE GUIDELINES FOR SPECTATORS WHO WISH TO ATTEND
GAMES?
Attendances at all outdoor sporting activities are subject to HSE Guidelines with the current
maximum limit set at 200 to include all players, coaching and medical staff, match officials,
match operations staff, club officials and spectators. Clubs must ensure that spectators strictly
adhere to the 2 metres social distancing rule.
The home team’s COVID-19 officer must ensure that their team’s attendees register their
contact details on entering the venue. These details are to be kept on record for four weeks for
contact tracing purposes.
The away team must supply a list of all those travelling to their own COVID-19 Compliance
Officer for contact tracing purposes. Spectators are expected to take personal responsibility
for 2 metres social distancing when they attend games.
HOW DO WE ENFORCE PROTOCOLS AND HSE GUIDELINES AROUND
GAMES?
It is the responsibility of the club’s COVID-19 officer to ensure that all criteria around
fixtures in the FAI’s Safer Return to Play Protocol are met. All attendees are expected to
comply with the Protocol procedures and are reminded of their personal responsibility in this
regard.
IS A CLUB ALLOWED TAKE CONTACT DETAILS FROM MINORS UNDER
GDPR?
Current government guidelines allow a club’s COVID-19 officer or other officials to gather
the contact data required for contact tracing purposes. This information must be retained for
four weeks for contact tracing purposes. Please refer to the HSE Guidelines, available and
regularly updated here
https://www2.hse.ie/coronavirus/
WHAT IF A CLUB MEMBER COMES INTO CONTACT WITH A SUSPECTED
COVID-19 CASE?
Whilst awaiting testing outcome of a suspected case, the following are possible
considerations for a club to decide on:
I. A club stops all activities whilst awaiting the outcome of a COVID-19 test of the suspected case
or
II. A club stops all members of the same training group / team / pod from
attending the club whilst awaiting the outcome of a COVID-19 test of the
suspected case
Please also refer to the HSE Guidelines, available and regularly updated here
https://www2.hse.ie/coronavirus/
SHOULD WE INFORM ALL CLUB MEMBERS IF A CLUB MEMBER COMES INTO CONTACT WITH A SUSPECTED COVID-19 CASE?
Inform the club’s COVID-19 Compliance Officer first if a member reports coming into
contact with a suspected COVID-19 case. The Compliance Officer must inform the HSE who
are responsible for risk assessment and contact tracing. The privacy of the individual must be
respected in all regards in this instance. The HSE will take responsibility for all contact
tracing if a positive test is returned.
Please also refer to the HSE Guidelines, available and regularly updated here
https://www2.hse.ie/coronavirus/
WHAT HAPPENS IF A CLUB MEMBER INFORMS THE CLUB OF A POSITIVE TEST FOR COVID-19?
The privacy of the individual must be respected at all times. The HSE are responsible for
contact tracing in the event of a positive test. The club’s COVID-19 Com