Soccer-English grassroots teams to be docked points for repeated misconduct

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Euro 2020 - England Press Conference - St. George's Park, Burton Upon Trent, Britain - June 25, 2021 FA chief executive officer Mark Bullingham during the press conference Pool via REUTERS/Nick Potts/File Photo

(Reuters) - Grassroots soccer teams will be deducted points for repeated offences of serious misconduct, England's Football Association (FA) said on Tuesday as it announced sanctions to combat an increase in levels of abuse towards referees.

The Football Regulatory Authority has approved the decision, which has been ratified by the FA Council for amateur leagues for the start of the 2023-24 season.