Question Number: 19663

League Specific 7/30/2008

RE: Adult

Ian Vasey of Manchester, Lancashire England asks...

How long before the kick off is the manager/coach expected to publish his teamsheet under FA rules ?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

It appears none of us has the answer to this specific question.

I recall one youth coach who inevitably would not have his gamesheet filled out in advance. I'd go to check in the team, and he'd have to run over to the sideline to get the paperwork filled in. I got so that I went to check his team first, so that I could change direction and check the other team's roster. Imagine my surprise when I finally got their roster, and found out that the girls only had first names! No, it wasn't a team filled with Madonnas or Chers.

Why coaches can't get the simplist things done when expected confounds me. Why start the game off on the wrong foot with the ref?

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

This usually depends on the league or state association. Usually at the team equipment check...I take the roster.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

As you can read we don't really know the answer to your question especially based of FA policies. I know what I desired and that was to have the rosters of players and substitutes before the teams left the changing rooms to go to the field. Once warm-ups were complete and niggling injuries sorted there was nothing preventing the sides from making up rosters. This applied to professional, amateur and youth matches where team and referees changing rooms were provided. In the USA, in case you don't know it, there are no changing rooms until the professional level.

Yes, players and referees must arrive kitted out or dress in their autos...

Regards,