22 March 2021
Promotions and Reclassifications
Season 2020/21
On 17 March, the FA Referees’ Committee discussed the position for Season 2020/21 in
respect of match official promotion and reclassification within the men’s (Step 2 and below) and
women’s (Tier 3 and below) refereeing pathways. The Committee considered the cancellation of
most football during Season 2020/21 (with some areas being more severely affected than others),
the difficulty in holding fitness tests and the need to adapt the usual promotion and reclassification
arrangements in a fair and equitable manner.
The Committee was keen to ensure that, although the vast majority of referees have not been able
to fulfil all the necessary criteria for promotion, the matches they have completed should not be
‘lost’. The Committee’s views on promotion, based on the recommendations from the FA Referees’
Department, are outlined below. In terms of being re-classified (demoted) it was agreed that no one
should be reclassified at the end of Season 2020/21.
Referee and Assistant Referee Promotions and Reclassifications - Step 2-6 & Tiers 3-4 (Level 2B,
Level 3, Level 4, Level 3W)
The early curtailment of the National League System (Step 2 – Step 6) and Women’s Pyramid (Tiers
3-6) has resulted in less than half of all scheduled fixtures taking place. This has impacted on the
opportunity for match officials to officiate on a suitable number of fixtures and receive the required
number of observations to make appropriate decisions regarding promotion and reclassification for
referees and assistant referees operating at Step 2, Step 3/Step 4, Step 5/Step 6, and 3W referee
promotion candidates. Fewer than 2% of active officials across Level 2B-Level 4 received the
required minimum number of games and/or observations.
With insufficient data to justifiably make decisions regarding promotion and reclassification and
given the fact that most referees have not officiated for many months, the FA Referees’ Committee
believes that promotion and reclassification should not be implemented at the end of season
2020/21 across these levels.
However, the Committee strongly believe that the information from performances completed on
constituent competitions should not be discounted. It was, therefore, agreed that decisions
regarding promotion and reclassification at the end of 2021/22 will be based on merit tables from 1
August 2020 – End of Playing season 2021/22 (e.g. 30 April 2022).
In addition, the Committee confirmed that “mid-season promotions” (i.e. formal promotion to a new
level outside the traditional annual process) will be considered based on performances from the
start of 2020/21 season up to and including a mid-season cut off point, which will be determined in
due course. This process will ensure there are opportunities for officials to progress up the
refereeing pyramid at a point earlier than the summer of 2022.
Level 5-4 Promotion Scheme
For officials in the Level 5-4 promotion scheme, the inconsistent availability of football
across the grassroots game depending on geographic location during season 2020/21
and the inability for many CFAs to conduct nomination fitness tests during the
pandemic means that many of the candidates will not meet the minimum requirements
for promotion this season.
In addition, with the lists from Level 2B to Level 4 remaining consistent for season 2021/22 no space has been created for promoted officials.
The Committee, therefore, decided that promotions from Level 5-4 at the end of season 2020/21
will not take place. However, the Committee strongly believe that the information from
performances completed on constituent competitions should not be discounted. It was, therefore,
agreed that decisions regarding promotion and reclassification at the end of 2021/22 will be based
on data from 1 August 2020 – End of Playing season 2021/22 (e.g. 30 April 2022).
In addition, the Committee confirmed that “mid-season promotions” (i.e. formal promotion to a new
level outside the traditional annual process) will be considered based on performances from the
start of 2020/21 season up to and including a mid-season cut off point, which will be determined in
due course. This process will ensure there are opportunities for officials to progress up the
refereeing pyramid at a point earlier than the summer of 2022.
Level 6-5, Level 7-6 and Level 4W-3W Promotions
Unlike promotions from Level 5 to Level 4, there is not a limit on the number of officials who can
operate at Level 5 or Level 6. Consequently, the Committee agreed to promotion guideline principles for 2020/21 for County FAs that reflect the reduced opportunity to referee caused by the pandemic but demonstrate a commitment shown by promotion candidates
The following amendments were, therefore, approved into the current criteria:
• Reduction from refereeing 20 to 15 games in a promotion season
• Reduction from 3 to 2 observations within the marking season (achieving above standard
grades in both observations or above standard and standard expected grades)
• Removal of the requirement to operate as assistant referee in at least 5 matches. The lack of
Step 5/6 football has prevented access to assistant referee appointments during the season
(Level 6-5 promotion only)
Officials who meet these requirements at the end of the season should be considered for promotion by their respective County as per the standard process.
The impact on those officials applying for double promotion is also being reviewed and further
guidance for implementation in 2021/22 will follow in due course.
1st Year Immunity
For those match officials operating in the merit table-based process (Level 2B-Level 4)
we can confirm that 1st Year immunity from reclassification will be applied for all
officials promoted in the summer of 2020 with this immunity lasting until the end of
Season 2021/22.
Specialisation Routes
Any match official at Level 3 or Level 4 who would usually be permitted (end of 3rd season as Level
3/reached the end of their 5th season as Level 4 or above) or expected (end of 4th season as a Level 3) to make a specialisation decision will be permitted to delay that decision until the end of season 2021/22.
Match officials who have the option to choose a specific route can do so this summer or can delay
this decision until the end of season 2021/22.
Further details regarding this process will be communicated in the coming weeks.
Fitness Tests
For Level 3 and 4 match officials it remains the intention for pre-season fitness tests to be
implemented prior to the start of season 2021/22. This includes all officials who were classified as a Step 2 Assistant Referee, Step 3/Step 4 referee or assistant referee or Step 5/Step 6 referee.
For clarity, please note Level 3 match officials will be required to complete “Interval run” fitness test
whilst Level 4 match officials will be required to complete the “Cooper Test”.
Details of dates and exact requirements will be communicated in due course.
Step 5/Step 6 & County Cup Competitions – (29 March – End of playing season 2020/21)
We are aware a number of cup competitions organised locally to provide competitive football at the
end of the season. Some of these will have been organised by Leagues within the National League
System.
For the avoidance of doubt, for officials operating at Level 4 and above in the men’s pyramid, marks awarded on these competitions are not to be included in any respective merit table. Only
competitions communicated at the beginning of season 2020/21 should be included in merit table
calculations.
Observers should not be appointed to these fixtures, however these matches may be used for
trainee observers as part of the accreditation process.
However, we would urge CFAs, leagues and referee pools to take the opportunity to coach referees
in these fixtures should personnel be available.
Promotions and Reclassifications
Season 2020/21
On 17 March, the FA Referees’ Committee discussed the position for Season 2020/21 in
respect of match official promotion and reclassification within the men’s (Step 2 and below) and
women’s (Tier 3 and below) refereeing pathways. The Committee considered the cancellation of
most football during Season 2020/21 (with some areas being more severely affected than others),
the difficulty in holding fitness tests and the need to adapt the usual promotion and reclassification
arrangements in a fair and equitable manner.
The Committee was keen to ensure that, although the vast majority of referees have not been able
to fulfil all the necessary criteria for promotion, the matches they have completed should not be
‘lost’. The Committee’s views on promotion, based on the recommendations from the FA Referees’
Department, are outlined below. In terms of being re-classified (demoted) it was agreed that no one
should be reclassified at the end of Season 2020/21.
Referee and Assistant Referee Promotions and Reclassifications - Step 2-6 & Tiers 3-4 (Level 2B,
Level 3, Level 4, Level 3W)
The early curtailment of the National League System (Step 2 – Step 6) and Women’s Pyramid (Tiers
3-6) has resulted in less than half of all scheduled fixtures taking place. This has impacted on the
opportunity for match officials to officiate on a suitable number of fixtures and receive the required
number of observations to make appropriate decisions regarding promotion and reclassification for
referees and assistant referees operating at Step 2, Step 3/Step 4, Step 5/Step 6, and 3W referee
promotion candidates. Fewer than 2% of active officials across Level 2B-Level 4 received the
required minimum number of games and/or observations.
With insufficient data to justifiably make decisions regarding promotion and reclassification and
given the fact that most referees have not officiated for many months, the FA Referees’ Committee
believes that promotion and reclassification should not be implemented at the end of season
2020/21 across these levels.
However, the Committee strongly believe that the information from performances completed on
constituent competitions should not be discounted. It was, therefore, agreed that decisions
regarding promotion and reclassification at the end of 2021/22 will be based on merit tables from 1
August 2020 – End of Playing season 2021/22 (e.g. 30 April 2022).
In addition, the Committee confirmed that “mid-season promotions” (i.e. formal promotion to a new
level outside the traditional annual process) will be considered based on performances from the
start of 2020/21 season up to and including a mid-season cut off point, which will be determined in
due course. This process will ensure there are opportunities for officials to progress up the
refereeing pyramid at a point earlier than the summer of 2022.
Level 5-4 Promotion Scheme
For officials in the Level 5-4 promotion scheme, the inconsistent availability of football
across the grassroots game depending on geographic location during season 2020/21
and the inability for many CFAs to conduct nomination fitness tests during the
pandemic means that many of the candidates will not meet the minimum requirements
for promotion this season.
In addition, with the lists from Level 2B to Level 4 remaining consistent for season 2021/22 no space has been created for promoted officials.
The Committee, therefore, decided that promotions from Level 5-4 at the end of season 2020/21
will not take place. However, the Committee strongly believe that the information from
performances completed on constituent competitions should not be discounted. It was, therefore,
agreed that decisions regarding promotion and reclassification at the end of 2021/22 will be based
on data from 1 August 2020 – End of Playing season 2021/22 (e.g. 30 April 2022).
In addition, the Committee confirmed that “mid-season promotions” (i.e. formal promotion to a new
level outside the traditional annual process) will be considered based on performances from the
start of 2020/21 season up to and including a mid-season cut off point, which will be determined in
due course. This process will ensure there are opportunities for officials to progress up the
refereeing pyramid at a point earlier than the summer of 2022.
Level 6-5, Level 7-6 and Level 4W-3W Promotions
Unlike promotions from Level 5 to Level 4, there is not a limit on the number of officials who can
operate at Level 5 or Level 6. Consequently, the Committee agreed to promotion guideline principles for 2020/21 for County FAs that reflect the reduced opportunity to referee caused by the pandemic but demonstrate a commitment shown by promotion candidates
The following amendments were, therefore, approved into the current criteria:
• Reduction from refereeing 20 to 15 games in a promotion season
• Reduction from 3 to 2 observations within the marking season (achieving above standard
grades in both observations or above standard and standard expected grades)
• Removal of the requirement to operate as assistant referee in at least 5 matches. The lack of
Step 5/6 football has prevented access to assistant referee appointments during the season
(Level 6-5 promotion only)
Officials who meet these requirements at the end of the season should be considered for promotion by their respective County as per the standard process.
The impact on those officials applying for double promotion is also being reviewed and further
guidance for implementation in 2021/22 will follow in due course.
1st Year Immunity
For those match officials operating in the merit table-based process (Level 2B-Level 4)
we can confirm that 1st Year immunity from reclassification will be applied for all
officials promoted in the summer of 2020 with this immunity lasting until the end of
Season 2021/22.
Specialisation Routes
Any match official at Level 3 or Level 4 who would usually be permitted (end of 3rd season as Level
3/reached the end of their 5th season as Level 4 or above) or expected (end of 4th season as a Level 3) to make a specialisation decision will be permitted to delay that decision until the end of season 2021/22.
Match officials who have the option to choose a specific route can do so this summer or can delay
this decision until the end of season 2021/22.
Further details regarding this process will be communicated in the coming weeks.
Fitness Tests
For Level 3 and 4 match officials it remains the intention for pre-season fitness tests to be
implemented prior to the start of season 2021/22. This includes all officials who were classified as a Step 2 Assistant Referee, Step 3/Step 4 referee or assistant referee or Step 5/Step 6 referee.
For clarity, please note Level 3 match officials will be required to complete “Interval run” fitness test
whilst Level 4 match officials will be required to complete the “Cooper Test”.
Details of dates and exact requirements will be communicated in due course.
Step 5/Step 6 & County Cup Competitions – (29 March – End of playing season 2020/21)
We are aware a number of cup competitions organised locally to provide competitive football at the
end of the season. Some of these will have been organised by Leagues within the National League
System.
For the avoidance of doubt, for officials operating at Level 4 and above in the men’s pyramid, marks awarded on these competitions are not to be included in any respective merit table. Only
competitions communicated at the beginning of season 2020/21 should be included in merit table
calculations.
Observers should not be appointed to these fixtures, however these matches may be used for
trainee observers as part of the accreditation process.
However, we would urge CFAs, leagues and referee pools to take the opportunity to coach referees
in these fixtures should personnel be available.
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