GRASSROOTS football is set to return, after the Government and the Football Association (FA) ruled non-professional matches could go ahead as early as the autumn.

The announcement was made this weekend, as the FA announced it would aim to get amateur 11-aside football up and running by September, in time for the beginning of the non-league season.

According to the announcement, grassroots leagues and FA competitions are due to restart no earlier than Saturday, September 5.

The national footballing body clarified that: "This [announcement] is subject to change in accordance with Government guidance and approval for paying spectators which may be published from time to time."

Among the FA's guidelines for the planned return of grassroots football are: competitive training should be done with groups smaller than 30 people; referees and players alike should sanitise their hands before and after games, with scheduled breaks during matches; goal celebrations are to be avoided; ball handling should be kept to a minimum; equipment should not be shared; participants should self-assess for symptoms and travel appropriately.

The FA also said: "A return to competitive football should only happen once clubs and facility providers have completed the necessary risk assessments and comprehensive plans are in place."