Lincolnshire FA are delighted to announce a new partnership with Sport Integrity Matters, who for the 2024/25 season will conduct all disciplinary investigation on behalf of the County FA.

Sport Integrity Matters (SIM) was founded by former FA Head of Judicial Services, Mark Ives, and provides support and independent advice to a number of County FAs on a range of disciplinary and governance matters.

Lincolnshire FA are committed to providing the highest levels of service to our stakeholders, and as such SIM will be working with us to conduct all disciplinary investigations on our behalf. 

The partnership will see SIM carrying out all disciplinary investigations, which will include liaising with the relevant parties to gather evidence. They will then undertake a review of the evidence and provide a recommendation to Lincolnshire FA with regards to the next steps, which may include charge(s) to be raised, no further action or alternative action.

As part of the process, Lincolnshire FA retain overall responsibility over discipline within the County, which includes the final say over whether a charge is to be raised and appointing commissions to hear cases.

Nick Hanson, CEO of Lincolnshire FA, said: "We remain committed to providing the highest standard of service to our stakeholders, and though discipline investigations are part and parcel of football, we want to ensure this process is done as efficiently and effectively as possible. Therefore, we are delighted to announce a partnership with Sport Integrity Matters for the 2024/25 season."

In the unlikely event that you are contacted to provide statements to support an investigation, we ask all our Club and Match Officials to assist SIM with their investigation as if you had been contacted directly by a member of County FA staff.

If you have any questions regarding disciplinary cases within Lincolnshire, please contact Discipline@lincolnshirefa.com or contact Hayley.Gregory@lincolnshirefa.com.