It is game on for junior football today after the Suffolk FA ruled no youth matches needed to be cancelled due to the Covid-19.

However, Brantham Athletic's game against Ely City has been cancelled after the Thurlow Nunn League decided to follow the example of elite football and suspend all fixtures until April 3 amid the coronavirus outbreak.

It is football as usual for youngsters at Holbrook, Brantham, Capel and East Bergholt this morning, although parents have been told it would be understandable if parents kept their children away.

An Suffolk FA spokesman said: "We have understandably been inundated with calls and emails regarding the situation for this weekend's grassroots football activity across Suffolk.

"In line with advice received from The FA and government It is not felt that all grassroots football fixtures need to be cancelled as a matter of course at this time.

"Leagues are within their rights, as the Southern League, Isthmian League and Thurlow Nunn League already have at time of writing, to cancel all league-related fixtures until further notice. In this case the communication will come directly from each league.

"Suffolk County Cup matches scheduled for this weekend, including the Youth County Cup semi-finals day due to be held at Walsham-Le-Willows FC on Sunday, March 15th, are all currently due to be played as planned. However, we will continue to review this with teams, officials and host venues.

"We request leagues who continue with matches but receive news that any team or referee does not wish to participate in fixtures on health and safety grounds, or because teams are self-isolating and are unable to play, be treated in an understanding way - this is an unprecedented situation and therefore needs to be dealt with as such. We will do the same with Suffolk County Cup matches.

"All Suffolk FA Coach Education courses are to continue as planned providing venues and tutors remain available, apart from First Aid / Medical courses which under advice from FA Education will be rescheduled to a later date due to the nature of the interaction on the course.

"Suffolk County FA HQ remains open under normal working hours and conditions.

"This is a fast-evolving situation. We will constantly review our position in line with government advice and continue to communicate any updates via our website and social media channels."

Daren Smith, Brantham's chief executive, told the club website: "With the current situation being so fluid around the Corona virus and as we await formal direction from the leagues and FA, the club have decided that each parent should decide if they want to hold back their children from participation in games this weekend.

"Any parent that does has the full support and backing of the club."

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