The Football Association has announced tougher punishments for discriminatory misconduct ahead of the 2026/27 season, with individual participants now facing a standard suspension of at least 10 matches when an aggravated breach is proven.

The updated sanction guidelines represent a stronger starting point for cases involving discriminatory language or behaviour and will be used by independent Regulatory Commissions when determining punishments.

Previous guidelines recommended suspensions ranging from six to 12 matches for players, managers and other technical-area occupants found guilty of an aggravated breach.

Under the strengthened approach, the standard suspension must now begin at a minimum of 10 matches.

What is an aggravated breach?

Under FA Rule E3.2, misconduct becomes an aggravated breach when it includes an express or implied reference to one or more protected characteristics.

These include:

• Ethnic origin
• Colour
• Race
• Nationality
• Religion or belief
• Sex
• Gender
• Gender reassignment
• Sexual orientation
• Disability

The rule can apply to discriminatory words or behaviour, including incidents that take place during matches, in technical areas or through written communication connected to football.

What are the new punishments?

The strengthened guidelines mean:

• A proven aggravated breach will carry a standard suspension of at least 10 matches.
• Regulatory Commissions may impose a longer ban when significant aggravating factors are present.
• Mitigating circumstances may still be considered, including an admission made at the earliest opportunity.
• Where mitigation justifies a reduction, the suspension will ordinarily be no lower than six matches.
• A penalty below six matches will only be available in limited circumstances where the aggravated breach occurred solely in writing.
• Repeat offenders will receive stronger punishments, potentially including bans exceeding 12 matches or time-based suspensions.

Each case will continue to be considered individually by an independent Regulatory Commission, which must examine the seriousness of the incident and any relevant aggravating or mitigating factors.

The FA’s statement

Ahead of the 2026-27 season, The FA has implemented strengthened sanction guidelines for any ‘aggravated breaches’ by individual participants.

We are committed to delivering a game free from discrimination. While significant progress has been made in recent years, discriminatory conduct continues to be a challenge across the game.

An ‘aggravated breach’ is defined in FA Rule E3.2 as any misconduct that includes an express or implied reference to any one or more of the following characteristics: ethnic origin, colour, race, nationality, religion or belief, sex, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, or disability.

Over the past few seasons, match-based suspensions ranging from 6 to 12 matches were recommended to independent Regulatory Commissions for any ‘aggravated breaches’ by players, managers, or technical area occupants.

Enhanced measures are necessary to tackle this abhorrent conduct, and our updated sanction guidelines will now require Regulatory Commissions to impose a standard suspension of at least 10 matches in these circumstances.

Regulatory Commissions may impose a sanction above the standard 10-match suspension if they are satisfied that there are significant aggravating factors present.

Regulatory Commissions may consider imposing a sanction below the standard 10-match suspension if they are satisfied that a mitigating factor or mitigating factors of significant number or weight is/are present and, save for in exceptional circumstances, the individual has admitted the breach at the earliest reasonable available opportunity. A suspension of no less than 6 matches must still be imposed in these circumstances.

If the ‘aggravated breach’ takes place ‘in writing only or via any communication device’ and a further prescribed mitigating factor is present, a Regulatory Commission may consider imposing a suspension below 6 matches. However, any such decision must be in the best interests of tackling discrimination in football and a Regulatory Commission must in any event impose a suspension of no less than 3 matches in these cases.

Any further ‘aggravated breaches’ by individual participants will be treated with the utmost seriousness and the sanction for such offences will be greater than the sanction for their first or previous offence.

Where Regulatory Commissions find an individual participant to have committed two or more ‘aggravated breaches’ on separate occasions, they will have the power to impose any sanction that is appropriate and proportionate to the offences committed. This includes a suspension in excess of 12 matches or time-based suspensions of any duration in very serious cases.

Regulatory Commissions can impose time-based suspensions on any individual participant where match-based sanctions would not be appropriate based on their role and responsibilities within the game.

Where a player is 12-15 years old, a Regulatory Commission may suspend any number of matches for a time period that it considers appropriate, but at least a one-match suspension must be served. If the player commits any further ‘aggravated breach’, the entry point for suspension will be 11 matches. A Regulatory Commission can depart from this entry point if aggravating or mitigating factors are present, but the minimum suspension must be seven matches.

If any player under the age of 12 commits an ‘aggravated breach’, they will be subject to an education programme rather than a suspension.

TeamGrassroots welcomes stronger action

TeamGrassroots supports The FA’s decision to strengthen the standard sanctions for discriminatory misconduct.

Grassroots football should provide a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for every player, coach, referee, volunteer and family.

Nobody should be made to feel that their identity makes them a target for abuse—whether it happens on the pitch, in a technical area, on the touchline or through communication connected to football.

A standard 10-match suspension sends an important message about the seriousness of discriminatory behaviour.

However, punishment alone will not remove discrimination from the game.

The stronger sanctions must be supported by effective education, accessible reporting routes, consistent investigations and meaningful support for the people affected.

Clubs and leagues also need confidence that reports will be handled promptly and fairly, while participants must understand the potential consequences before an incident occurs.

The beginning of the 2026/27 season is an appropriate time for every grassroots club to revisit its conduct expectations and make its position absolutely clear:

Discriminatory abuse has no place in football.