The FA partners with PayPal to tackle grassroot fees

The Football Association (FA) enters an official payments partnership with PayPal that plans to transform how players pay their fees at grassroots level.

By pushing payments through ‘The FA Matchday App’, the collaboration hopes to enable grassroots footballers to pay their match fees with their smartphones – bringing in possibly millions of extra pounds for grassroots clubs every season.

Problems such as match fees, annual subs, and fines incurred for receiving red or yellow cards can be resolved through the mobile app.

According to FA statistics conducted in May 2018, 80% of clubs take physical cash and 38% use cheques to collect payments despite modern societies advancement in digital payments.

Dependance on physical money and cheques has meant over the years many clubs have encountered losses from late or missing payments and the FA believes that millions of pounds extra could be collected digitally by grassroots clubs every season.

During the four year partnership, both organisations aim to work together on further initiatives to help support grassroots football; later this year, grassroots clubs will be able to access free PayPal-branded football training kit and equipment.

Director of Digital Engagement at The FA, Russell James said: “This signals our intent to further bring grassroots football into the digital age, making the game more accessible for all.

“Importantly this service will help save time and reduce administration for those people who dedicate their time to organising the football that so many people enjoy.

“Working with PayPal, the market leaders in their field can only have a positive impact for everyone at grassroots football.”

Incorporating digital payments through the new ‘FA Matchday App’,is hoped to simplify the collection and tracking of money for people who manage grassroots football teams.

The app also allows clubs to organise matches and training, select their line-up, and give updates to their team. Players can share their availability, view all future fixtures and keep an eye on the tables and results.

Rob Harper, Director of Mobile Payments at PayPal UK explained: “Technology is enabling us to move away from cash in almost all aspects of life, and the beautiful game is next.

“Together with The FA, we’ve devised an easy way for players to leave their wallet or chequebook at home, and use their PayPal digital wallet to settle up instead.”