FA Pitch side First Aid Requirements: What You Need to Know in 2025

Ensuring player safety in football has never been more important. As the game evolves, so too do the standards around medical preparedness. Whether you’re a grassroots club or a professional team, meeting the Football Association (FA) pitch side first aid requirements is crucial for both compliance and safety.

In 2025, the FA has reinforced its expectations regarding minimum medical standards, placing particular emphasis on training, equipment, and emergency protocols. In this article, we’ll break down what you need to know to ensure your club or organisation is up to date.

Why Pitch side First Aid Matters

• Safeguard player welfare
• Ensure immediate medical response capabilities
• Provide a consistent baseline of care across all levels of the game
• Minimise risks and liability for clubs and governing bodies

Meeting these standards isn’t just about compliance—it’s about delivering best practice and being prepared to act quickly in an emergency.

FA Pitch side First Aid Requirements (2025 Update)

1. Appropriately Trained Personnel

At least one person with FA-approved first aid training must be pitch side at all times. Depending on the level of play, this may include:

• FA Emergency First Aid in Football (EFAiF) for grassroots
• FAIntermediate Trauma Medical Management in Football (ITMMiF) for semi-pro and academy settings
• Advanced trauma and resuscitation qualifications (e.g. ATMMiF, ALS, PHEM) for elite/professional tiers

Top Tip: Clubs should maintain training logs and expiry dates to remain compliant.

2. Minimum Pitch side Medical Equipment

The FA requires teams to have a well-stocked emergency response bag. As of 2025, recommended equipment includes:

Basic Items

• Sterile wound dressings
• Foil blankets
• CPR face shields
• Nitrile gloves
• Saline pods

Essential Clinical Equipment

• Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
• Airway adjuncts (oropharyngeal/nasopharyngeal)
• Bag Valve Mask (BVM)
• Cervical collar
• Tourniquets and haemostatic dressings

Immobilisation Equipment

• Foldable scoop stretcher or vacuum mattress
• Spinal board (for higher tiers)
• Limb splints
• Neck immobilisation blocks

Halo Medical Group recommends a monthly inspection checklist to ensure all kit is in working order and in-date.

3. Emergency Action Planning (EAP)

Every venue should have a documented Emergency Action Plan tailored to the site, including:

• Entry points for emergency vehicles
• Communication protocols
• Roles and responsibilities in a medical emergency
• Nearest hospital/A&E directions
• AED locations

Clubs should practice mock drills pre-season and review their EAP annually.

Guidance on emergency action plans are available from FIFA. Click Here to find out more

4. Record Keeping and Incident Reporting

All injuries, treatments, and interventions should be documented clearly, especially for:

• Safeguarding under-18 players
• Concussion management and return-to-play timelines
• Insurance and liability protection

5. Concussion Protocol Compliance

The FA’s 2025 concussion protocol requires:

• Immediate removal from play if concussion is suspected
• No return on the same day
• Mandatory rest and staged return-to-play (minimum 14 days for under-18s)
• Medical sign-off before returning to matches

Educational materials must be shared with players, parents, and coaches at all levels.

England Football Concussion Guidance can be found by clicking here

 

FA Requirements by Game Level (Snapshot)

Football Level	First Aider Qualification	Minimum Equipment	Notes
Grassroots (U18)	EFAiF	AED, wound kit, CPR mask	Must follow concussion rules strictly
Semi-Pro	ITMMiF or equivalent	AED, splints, airway kit	Emergency plan required
Professional	Advanced trauma certs	Scoop stretcher, BVM, full trauma bag	Full EAP, medical logs, safeguarding protocol

How Halo Medical Group Supports FA Compliance

Halo provides fully qualified pitch side Paramedic led teams, with a tailored equipment kit, evidenced by our compliance audits. Our teams meet FA and HSE standards across the UK. We work with:

• Football academies
• Local leagues and tournaments
• Women’s and youth football
• Semi-pro and professional clubs

Whether you need cover for one game or a full season, our clinicians arrive prepared and FA-compliant.

Summary Checklist: Is Your Team FA-Ready?

• FA-approved first aider
• Fully stocked medical bag (with AED)
• Documented Emergency Action Plan
• Trained in concussion protocol
• Up-to-date medical records/logs
• Regular kit inspections
• Clear safeguarding procedures

If any of these are missing, now is the time to act.

📞 Get Expert Help Today

Need help meeting FA pitch side medical requirements?
Contact Halo Medical Group for:

• First aid kits designed to FA standards
• Qualified pitchside clinicians
• Custom medical audits and compliance checks

👉 Click here to get in touch and prepare for your 2025 season.