In this article you will...

• Understand what do to if a drone is spotted at your game.

The use of drones is becoming ever more present in sports settings and particularly at football matches, with some examples from recent seasons in the England professional game. The following guidance is predominately for Match Officials, but is also relevant to players, coaches/ managers, parents, spectators and club officials.

• Upon the sighting of a drone above a football pitch/ stadium, the Referee should stop the game and advise both team captains and managers that play will not continue until the drone has passed, or left the vicinity of the players and spectators. Where appropriate speak to the safety officer of the home team to take their advise on the matter.
• If the drone is not passing or appearing to leave, where possible the Referee should advise both teams to return to the changing room, similar to if there was lighting. At grounds where this is not possible (open playing fields, public parks etc.), the Referee continues to wait until the drone has left.
• It is not within a Match Officials remit to dictate where a drone can/cannot be flown.
• Where drones are used for filming and media purposes, the drone must not fly above the playing area once players have entered the field of play to warm-up and until the players leave post-match having cooled down.

The guidance is not in place to discourage the use of drones, but to adhere to the number one priority of any football match, the safety of the players and participants.