Frank Lampard calls on Government to reverse decision to ban grassroots sports during UK lockdown

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has called on the Government to find a safe resolution to allow grassroots sports to continue during the UK’s second lockdown.

Non-elite sport in England will be halted during the forthcoming national lockdown.

The Football Association says matches and training in steps three to six of the men’s national league system (NLS)and tiers three to seven of the women’s football pyramid would be suspended during the upcoming lockdown period.

Frank Lampard has called on the Government to reverse their ban on grassroots sports

The suspension also covers matches and training in regional NLS feeder leagues, the Women’s Super League academy league, FA girls regional talent clubs and indoor and outdoor youth and adult grassroots football.

The restrictions come into effect tomorrow and are set to last until at least December 2.

But Lampard said: ‘I’m a massive advocate for young children playing all sorts of sports. But in unprecedented times we are reliant on the Government and the scientists and the people in charge, so I would probably be stupid to jump into the political arguments, rather than to say if it can be done in a safe and careful way for the children involved, for the families involved, we know that schools have remained open, if it can be done then we have to strive in every way we can for it to be done in a safe way.

‘For physical health, for mental health, for families that have children who are sitting at home, we must strive to do it as much as we can if it can be done in a safe way.’