Guidelines for Returning To Soccer

The following should be applied regardless of the Return to Play phase:

1. If you are sick or feel sick, STAY HOME

2. Users waiting to utilize a section or area of the field should wait outside the field of play until previous users have vacated the area to ensure proper social distancing and prevent accidental contact of other users’ equipment.

3. Upon arrival at the field, if capability exists, take the temperature of participants, including coaches. Anyone with a temperature of 100 or more should be sent home and not allowed to participate for a minimum of 14 days.

4. Players’ equipment should be kept in designated areas with at least 6 feet separation. Players should not congregate and should return to their designated area during breaks.

5. Players should sanitize hands before and after play, avoid sharing equipment, and clean and wipe down equipment. All balls should be disinfected after every practice. Players should bring their own sanitizer.

6. Practice vest/pinnies must be washed after each use. 

7. Players may not share water bottles. No centralized hydration or refreshment stations are permitted.

8. Spectators, when permitted, should be limited and must maintain minimum social distancing, as defined by the CDC.

9. All participants should adhere to a strict “carry in, carry out” policy and take waste with them.

10. Pre- and post-game rituals, such as an international walk-on or handshake line, should be eliminated. Sportsmanship should continue in a touchless manner.

11. Persons who have had close contact with a positive covid persons should quarantine and not play or attend until at least 5 days symptom free or a negative covid test. Vaccinated persons should only quarantine based on CDC recommended guidelines. 

Please see Section 2 for Requirements specific to the current Return to Play phase which may supersede some or all of these guidelines.

1. Spectators must maintain at least 6 feet between groups of no more than size people according to the Stay Safe Guidance for Entertainment and Meeting Venues (staysafe.mn.gov/industry-guidance/entertainment.jsp).
2. Please allow 30 minutes between games to allow the departing teams to gather equipment and personal belongings before the next team arrives in the bench area.
3. Use of locker rooms are prohibited except for toileting. Use of indoor shower facilities is prohibited.
4. Bench personnel and reserve players should maintain adequate social distancing and wear facial coverings while not in the game. 
5. Use of the MWSL online roster system is required. Managers must keep paper copies of each game roster on file to facilitate contact tracing if necessary.
6. Tournament play (multiple games in single day) is not permitted.
7. Players are recommended to wear facial coverings at all times, unless unable due to a documented medical condition or disability. A face mask is not required, but is recommended, during playing in the match. A face mask is required when not actively participating in the match. Players should take frequent breaks when they are out of proximity to other players. Types of face coverings can include a paper or disposable mask, a cloth mask, a neck gaiter, a scarf, a bandanna, or a religious face covering.
8. Referees may request restarts be conducted in a manner that minimizes sustained face-to-face contact between players, including but not limited to the following:

a. request the taker of a throw-in to step back 6 feet from the touchline

b. encourage quickly taken free kicks; remove or reposition players during the taking of a ceremonial free kick

c. reposition opposing players when restarting play by drop ball

d. request adequate spacing between players at the taking of a penalty kick  Referees may not alter the Laws of the Game.