This means that they are banned from taking part in any football activity until they settle their debt.
In addition, regular updates to the sine die list are published on our website. The majority of persons on the lists are those who owe monies to clubs and leagues. Over the past year the sine die list has been reviewed and a large number of individuals have been removed.
In addition we have introduced new forms (which are available online) to ensure that any club or league using our debt recovery scheme has to provide full details of the individual before the suspension is raised. These measures have been introduced in order to make the lives of clubs and leagues easier when registering players.
To help clubs we have provided a template that can be used when registering players which can be downloaded from this page (right). Any Player who is unwilling to give you any of this information should make you want to check even more carefully before playing him or her. Armed with this information you should check update lists (online) before playing new players.
It is your responsibility to make all the checks before playing the individual. If a club has completed these checks but a player is found to have provided false information then providing the form as evidence would help with their defence.
During the past season a number of clubs have played individuals who are under suspension with other County FAs. There are nearly 50 County FAs in the country and many players have played for clubs in other parts of the country.
We would therefore advise that if the player you are signing informs you that they have played for a club in another county then you ring Hertfordshire FA who will check the national database to establish whether the player is under suspension by another County FA.
Preventing players who are sine die from playing is the responsibility of both clubs and leagues. In an effort to reduce the number of people playing whilst under suspension from the 1st of October each season any league who registers a player on the sine die list will be charged under FA Rule E11. The normal fine for this offence will be £50 for the first offence but is liable to be increased if repeated offences occur.
This means that when a player plays whilst under suspension for debts then the player, the club and the league will be charged. By taking such a firm stance on this issue we are protecting the vast majority who play by the rules and it is hoped that this will act as a deterrent to the few who don’t. Action against leagues will commence from the 1st of October each season as we realise with so many forms coming in at the start of the season it will take time to check them during September. Providing leagues advise us of any suspended players they find during September then this will be regarded as their obligations in this matter as being completed.
It is only by us all being vigilant in this way and working together that there will be nowhere for players to move to when they have left debts behind them. That can only be good for everyone involved in grassroots football.