A directive from the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has effectively outlawed 11-a-side football for children under the age of 12. The Scottish Youth Football Association has endorsed the policy and written to all the local associations.
There will be a transitional phase, but by the 2002-03 seasonprimary children will all be playing small-sided or development football as the seven-a-side game becomes the norm. Already most primary schools play seven-a-side football and there is a policy that there should be no 11-a-side football for under-nines. By 2001-02 that policy will be extended to under-10s.