ALL clubs left in the FA Cup have been warned they will face penalties for breaching Covid regulations.
Wembley beaks moved to draft the letter to the 33 teams that currently remain in the competition after a series of weekend incidents during the third round.
The letter was said to “strongly reiterate the importance of complete compliance” with Covid protocols and Government legislation.
Premier League and EFL bosses will send out similar letters to their individual members as football braces against calls for a shutdown if regulations are not followed.
But in a warning shot, Wembley said: “The FA is committed to ensuring that all matches played in the Competition are done so in an environment that protects the safety of players, club staff and all other attendees and public health more generally.
“As all clubs will be aware, it is absolutely essential that English football continues to demonstrate that the procedures it has in place for the continuation of elite football are reliable, robust and fully compliant with all necessary rules set by the government, Public Health England and the game itself.
“Clubs and players are required to comply with any legislation and/or guidance in relation to Covid-19.
“Furthermore, the Professional Game Board will consider any potential breaches and may impose such penalties as it deems necessary in the event of any proven instances of non-compliance.”
That is likely to mean fines for clubs who flout the rules, rather than bans for players or expulsion from the competition.
As SunSport reported, the post-game dressing room celebrations at Chorley and Crawley raised significant concerns, as well as goal celebrations with players openly hugging and giving each other high-fives.
But clubs were left in no doubt that they must follow any new “enhanced protocols”.
The letter added: “It is essential that clubs read and disseminate the content of those protocols to all relevant parties ahead of their FA Cup games on the weekend of 23 January."
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