FA behaviour report 2025-26: what youth coaches need to know

The FA's 2025-26 Grassroots Behaviour and Discipline Report, published on 1 October 2026, says most grassroots football is in good shape: matches averaged a "good" respect mark rating of 90.5% across more than 1.3 million scores, and serious misconduct happened in under 0.09% of fixtures. For a youth coach, the bigger news is what changes this season, from cooling-off periods to tougher sanctions for discrimination. Here is what you need to know and what to do about it.

What the report found

According to The FA's announcement, the report covers adult and youth grassroots football and looks at the most serious misconduct: discrimination, serious offences against match officials and assaults by participants. A few headline points:

• Serious offence allegations against match officials fell by 0.28 per 1,000 fixtures.

• Discrimination reports rose by 0.40 per 1,000 fixtures, which The FA describes as a sign that reporting systems are working.

• Registered match officials reached a record 41,500 by the end of the season, with a retention rate of 82%.

That last figure matters on a Saturday morning. More referees staying in the game means fewer fixtures without an official, and many of those referees are young people learning their craft.

Cooling-off periods: know the routine before it happens

England Football has rolled out cooling-off periods nationally for 2026-27. If the referee feels a game is becoming unsafe, they can pause play and send players to their penalty areas, then meet the coaches and captains in the centre circle. The referee decides how long the pause lasts. A maximum of two can be called in a match, and if a third is needed the game is abandoned. Any player who leaves their penalty area without permission is sin binned.

What to do now:

• Explain the routine to your players at training so it does not feel like a punishment if it happens.

• Agree who goes to the centre circle with the captain (normally the head coach) and keep that conversation calm and short.

• Tell parents about it in your next team message. A pause is a chance to reset, not a moment to argue.

Tougher sanctions you should mention to your team

The FA has confirmed that first-time discrimination offenders will face a standard suspension of at least 10 matches, plus mandatory fines and education. Anyone proven guilty of serious misconduct must also complete a mandatory education programme before returning to the game. Full details are in the strengthened sanction guidelines.

You do not need to scare anyone, but older youth players and parents should know the stakes. A short, matter of fact reminder at the start of the season sets the standard.

Use Respect marks as a team goal

Players, coaches and spectators are now scored separately from 1 to 5 in the respect marks. That gives you something concrete to work on. Ask your league what your scores look like, share the good ones with parents, and set a simple target such as "every spectator score a 4 or 5 this half of the season".

The FA is also launching Positivity Champions, a monthly award for a club showing exceptional good practice, nominated through County FAs. If your club does something brilliant, tell your County FA about it.

Quick answers

Can a referee in youth football call a cooling-off period?

England Football describes cooling-off periods as a national rollout for grassroots football in 2026-27 and does not limit them by age, so you should be ready for one in any match.

What is the ban for discrimination in grassroots football?

From 2026-27, a first offence carries a standard suspension of at least 10 matches, plus a mandatory fine and education.

Where can I read the full FA behaviour report?

The full 2025-26 Grassroots Behaviour and Discipline Report is linked from The FA's news page.

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