Referees across grassroots football are being given the power to pause matches when they believe behaviour is escalating and a game is becoming unsafe.

The FA has confirmed that “cooling-off periods” will be rolled out nationally for the 2026/27 season following a successful pilot.

Under the measure, if a referee feels a match is becoming unsafe, they can stop play and send all players to their respective penalty areas.

The referee will then meet coaches and captains in the centre circle, giving both teams an opportunity to calm players and any off-field spectators before play resumes.

Players must remain in their penalty areas during the break, with anyone leaving without permission receiving a 10-minute sin bin.
The length of the cooling-off period will be determined by the referee.

Crucially, a maximum of two cooling-off periods can be called during a match.
If the referee believes a third is necessary, the fixture will be abandoned.

All cooling-off periods must be reported to the league or cup sanctioning the fixture, although the FA says formal disciplinary action will not automatically follow simply because a referee has initiated a pause.

Teamgrassroots supports the move
Teamgrassroots welcomes the introduction of the measure.

“Anything that gives referees greater support and the ability to intervene before poor behaviour escalates is a positive step. Grassroots football should be a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone, and we hope clubs, coaches, players and spectators fully support referees when these measures are needed.”

The move forms part of the FA’s wider efforts to improve behaviour across grassroots football.
The FA says serious misconduct occurred in just 0.09% of 1.2 million grassroots fixtures, highlighting that the overwhelming majority of games take place without serious incident.

However, where behaviour does begin to escalate, referees will now have another option to take control of the situation — before deciding whether the game can safely continue.