LOCAL amateur football leagues kicking off their seasons at the weekend will have a new discip-linary system.

From this year, leagues will adopt a ‘match base’ procedure rather than the previous ‘term base’ which brings level seven football in line with the professional game.

It will mean players will serve games rather than time bans. Previously, players sent off could have served up to a 35-day ban – the new system will see players serve a three-match ban for a straight red card offence.

Lancashire FA chief executive David Burgess predicts there will be a few teething problems but believes the new system is a lot fairer.

“Whenever you introduce some-thing new there are always bound to be a few bedding in problems but this system is a lot fairer,” said Burgess.

“In previous years, if a player was banned for 35 days, it could have meant they missed anything from no games up to 10 games depending on what time of the year it was.”

“This is because, traditionally games are lost during the winter months while at the beginning or the end of a season much more games are played with mid-week fixtures crammed in.

“So bringing in the match base procedure is a lot fairer.”

The LFA have held a series of seminars and sent members of its disciplinary team to league to help make the transition as smooth as possible.

Burgess added: “It does mean a little bit more work for clubs because it will be their responsibility to contact us to let us know which matches a player will be missing.”

The new system was introd-uced at North West Counties League level five years ago and in the West Lancs League two seasons ago.

“It was a naturally prog-ression to introduce this form of discipline at this level of the game,” added Burgess. “I remember when we first brought it in at Non League level there were a few problems but it all runs very smoothly now.”

The new rules mean that if a player is sent off playing football for a Saturday team they will serve a ban from all Saturday football – the same applies to those playing on Sundays. However, any example of serious misconduct the player will be banned from all football.

The LFA are also stamping out ‘frivolous’ appeals with the only appeals to he considered are those for mistaken identity.

“We have situations in the past were clubs have continued to appeal so a player can play in certain games,” added Burgess. “We want to bring that to an end because it is not good for the game.

Likewise, we want to stamp out serious misconduct and any examples of this, players will be banned from all football.”

As in the professional game, a one match ban will be given for a player sent off for two bookable offenses or those who accrue five bookings.

More information about the new disciplinary procedure, can be found at lancashirefa .com