Linesmen but no players?

I was intrigued as I walked past the local sports ground this morning to see a team of several folk in hi-vis jackets standing around the soccer pitch looking a bit lost. (I couldn't get all of them in one photo but there were at least a dozen altogether.) I assume that they were waiting for the players to arrive - but are amateur football games allowed at the moment? - I'm not sure. If not, they'll have a long wait! And even if a game is planned, why stand around on a rather damp morning before it starts? So whilst the next "official" Silly Saturday challenge in memory of Admirer is still two weeks away I thought I'd tag this anyway.