Who can referee youth matches, and do I need a DBS check?
Rule- England
- England Football
- Youth football
- Mini-soccer
- Under 7-Under 18
- Laws of the Game
- 2026/27
- Referees
Appointments and age limits (FA Standard Code of Rules for youth competitions):
- Leagues appoint registered referees. Where no official referee turns up, the clubs agree on one, who has the full powers of a registered referee for that match.
- Nobody under 14 may referee or act as assistant referee in any youth league match.
- Referees aged 14 to 16 can only referee age groups at least one year younger than themselves (a 15-year-old can referee Under 14 and below).
- Nobody under 16 may referee open-age football.
- Match officials must have attended a Respect briefing run by The FA, County FA or the league.
- In mini-soccer, anyone refereeing can apply the Laws of Mini-Soccer even if not qualified, and assistant referees aren't required. Under 7 (3v3) has a facilitator, not a referee.
DBS: The FA lists referees in under-18 football among the roles that need an FA-accepted DBS Enhanced Criminal Record Check with Children's Barred List if aged 16 or over, issued within the last three years.
Added 21 Oct 2026