English football is coming together this weekend to emphasize the significance of safeguarding within the sport through the Play Safe initiative.
Led by The Football Association and backed by the NSPCC, the Play Safe campaign enjoys widespread support across English football, including the Premier League, EFL, Barclays Women’s Super League, and Barclays Women’s Championship, as well as grassroots football.
This season, the call is for everyone involved in football, from clubs and leagues at all tiers of the game to individuals, to share their plans for contributing to the Play Safe weekend’s success and pledge their commitment online.
The FA’s Survivor Support and Safeguarding Advisory Group (FASSSAG) continues to endorse Play Safe, stressing the collective responsibility of creating safe environments in all football settings.
They emphasize the importance of individuals knowing how to respond to concerns and how Play Safe serves as a vital awareness-raising tool.
This year, Play Safe weekend underscores the role that everyone—coaches, players, parents/caregivers, spectators, and volunteers—plays in ensuring the safety of children and young people in football, regardless of the setting.
The campaign encourages everyone, everywhere, and at all times to be vigilant and to take action if they encounter safeguarding concerns.
These key messages are reflected in the digital and print resources being distributed to every County FA, league, and club in England, including the wearing of captain’s armbands and Play Safe pin badges by head coaches/managers.
All of this represents football in England coming together to foster an increasingly safer culture throughout the sport, regardless of the level.
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