CHILDREN will play football matches without a referee under a shake-up for next season.
The change will see under-sevens playing games of just three per side.
There will be no ref but a so-called pitch facilitator to keep boys and girls safe.
But parents have yellow-carded the plans, which also include having no goalkeepers.
The changes are being implemented by the FA’s grassroots body England Football FutureFit.
Questions on its website include: “How will children learn the rules for 3v3 without a match official?”
The response says: “There should be a pitch facilitator for each of the match days.
“Over time they will be able to manage their games independently.”
One parent said: “It sounds like the games will be a complete free-for-all.”
The move is to give children more time on the ball.
Football chiefs say: “It has been proven to be fantastic for developing young players and their skills.”
But Jordan Davies, of Macclesfield, Cheshire, said: “Improving grassroots facilities should be the priority.”
Chris Stones, a Norwich United coach, added: “3v3 at U7s is utter madness.”
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