Football leagues ban for under-8s

The FA said children would still be allowed to play competitive matches

The Football Association has banned competitive leagues and cups for boys and girls in the under-8 age group.

The move, which will take effect from next season, means no league tables or results will be published.

The FA said there was too much emphasis on winning leagues, when the need was to improve youngsters' skills.

FA director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking stressed that the under-8s would still be allowed to play competitive matches against each other.

Sir Trevor said: "It's widely accepted that we need to improve the skills and technique of players in this country.

Every game played is competitive, but undoubtedly having league tables at this age is not helping their development

Sir Trevor Brooking

"At the moment we are not at the same level as other countries. In the youngest age groups there's too much emphasis on winning leagues, often to satisfy parents and coaches.

"That's what we're looking to change. We need better, more skilful players coming through."

He added: "Of course, we are not banning children from competing against each other in football.

"Every game played is competitive, but undoubtedly having league tables at this age is not helping their development. It is the league tables being stopped rather than matches."

Long ball

FA director of communications Adrian Bevington told BBC Radio 5 Live that a failure to produce skilful players was a problem in England.

"Kids at a very young age are being encouraged and pressured by coaches and parents just to kick the ball long, lump it forward to try and win a game, to get a result to win a league," he said.

"We're not trying to take the competitiveness out of football matches, but we're trying to ensure that skill and development can be encouraged and harnessed, to move forward."

Children at under-8 level play Mini-Soccer, which has rules similar to football but with smaller pitches and fewer players on each team.

The Scottish Football Association said it encouraged "trophy-free" football for that age group but did not ban competitions.

The Football Association of Wales and the Irish Football Association - which governs the game in Northern Ireland - do not have any official competitive football that young.