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Check the rule for yourself
Every Premier League rule the course relies on, in two editions of the Handbook: 2022/23, in force when the League referred the City charges, and 2026/27, the current one. The numbers move between editions; the link beside each number opens the League’s own PDF at that page, so you can read the whole rule.
The Handbook is the Premier League’s publication. This page quotes only a short extract of each rule. Full texts: 2022/23 Handbook · 2026/27 Handbook.
61 of 61 rules
What “the Rules” are, and how a rule number reads
The Rules are the League's rules as they stand for the time being. W.45 means Rule 45 of Section W.
“a letter and a number following a reference to a Rule identifies the Section in which it is comprised and its number within that Section” (2022/23)
Governing law
The Rules are governed by English law; disputes go to arbitration, with the English courts as the default forum otherwise.
“These Rules shall be governed by and shall be construed in accordance with English law.” (2022/23)
Expulsion of a club
Only the clubs can expel a club, by special resolution of at least three-quarters of those voting.
“a special Resolution to that effect being passed by a majority of not less than three-quarters” (2026/27)
Membership is a contract with the League and between the clubs
Joining binds each club, with the League and with every other club, to the Laws of the Game, FA rules, the Articles, the Rules and FIFA and UEFA statutes.
“Membership of the League shall constitute an agreement between the League and Club” (2026/27)
Utmost good faith
Clubs, officials and directors owe each other and the League a duty of utmost good faith.
“shall behave towards each other Club, Official, Director and the League with the utmost good faith” (2022/23)
Separating clubs level on points
Points, then goal difference, then goals scored; if still level where it matters, head-to-head results.
“two or more Clubs are equal on points, Goal Difference and goals scored” (2026/27)
How UK broadcast money is split
Half to a Basic Award Fund, a quarter to Facility Fees, a quarter to the Merit Payments Fund.
“one quarter shall comprise the Merit Payments Fund” (2022/23)
The Merit Based Distribution Method
Merit money is shared by final position: 20 shares for first down to 1 for twentieth.
“the distribution of such funds in shares in accordance with the following table” (2022/23)
Nine points for an insolvency event
A fixed sporting sanction the Board may impose, with a short appeal route.
“the Board shall have the power to impose upon the Club a deduction of nine points” (2022/23)
Joining an unapproved competition
A first offence of joining an unapproved (breakaway) competition carries a points deduction.
“where it is a first offence, a deduction of up to 30 points” (2026/27)
Changed between editions: 2022/23 made it a fixed 30 points (“impose on the Club a deduction of 30 points”); 2026/27 says “up to 30 points”.
Squad Cost Ratio: the points formula
2022/23: not in this edition2026/27: Appendix 2, F.4 to F.5, PDF p.319 ↗Six points, plus one point for every £6.5m over the club's Red Threshold (rounded up), multiplied for consecutive breaches.
““Fixed Point Deduction” means six points” (2026/27)
The League pays itself first: deduction from central funds
If a club fails to pay the League or another club, the Board can deduct the sum from the club's central distributions and pay the creditor, and can withhold distributions on conditions.
“deduct the amount of any such payment from any distribution of UK Broadcast Revenue” (2022/23)
Disputes between a club and a player
Club–player disputes are dealt with inside the League's system.
“The following shall be determined by a Player Related Dispute Commission” (2026/27)
Changed between editions: 2022/23 sent such disputes to the Board, to adjudicate as it thought fit; 2026/27 sends them to a Player Related Dispute Commission.
How the clubs decide: two-thirds, one vote each
2022/23: not in this edition2026/27: Articles 14.10 and 15.1, PDF p.417 ↗A Resolution needs two-thirds of the members present and voting; each member club has one vote.
“votes cast by two-thirds of such Members who are present and who vote” (2026/27)
Who appoints the Board
2022/23: not in this edition2026/27: Article 19.3, PDF p.419 ↗Directors are proposed by the Board, appointed by Resolution of the clubs and endorsed by the FA as Special Shareholder.
“No person shall be appointed or re-appointed as Chair or as a Director except pursuant to a Resolution” (2026/27)
What the Board does
The Board manages the company and operates the Rules, subject to the clubs' policy.
“manage the affairs of the Company including the operation of the League and the operation and implementation of the Rules” (2026/27)
The Board's power of inquiry
The Board can require players, managers and officials to answer and clubs to hand over documents.
“The Board shall have power to inquire into any suspected or alleged breach of these Rules” (2022/23)
The Board's choice of route
Reprimand, fixed penalty, summary fine, agreed sanction, or referral to a Commission.
“The Board shall have power to deal with any suspected or alleged breach of these Rules by” (2022/23)
The Board's own fine
Without a Commission, the Board can fine up to £100,000.
“impose a fine not exceeding £100,000” (2022/23)
Confidentiality is no answer
A club cannot refuse the Board documents because they are confidential.
“It shall be no answer to a request from the Board to disclose documents or information” (2022/23)
Who sits on a Commission
Three Disciplinary Panel members chosen by the Chair of the Judicial Panel, a lawyer in the chair.
“three members of the Disciplinary Panel of whom one, who shall be legally qualified, shall sit as chairman” (2022/23)
An accountant on profitability cases
A Commission on the profitability and sustainability rules must include a qualified accountant or auditor, not as chair.
“shall include at least one member of the Disciplinary Panel qualified as set out in Rule W.18.4” (2022/23)
Who the parties are
The Board and the club or person accused. Nobody else.
“The parties to proceedings before a Commission shall be” (2022/23)
Starting a case
Only the Board can start a Commission case, by written complaint.
“commenced by a written complaint which shall be drafted by or on behalf of the Board” (2022/23)
Objecting to a panel member
Each appointee signs a statement of impartiality; a party has two working days to object.
“it must raise such objection within two Working Days of the relevant appointment(s)” (2022/23)
A rival asks for compensation
The Commission may signal it may award compensation, on its own or on a rival's representations.
“it may wish to exercise its power under Rule W.51.5 to award compensation to any Person or to any Club (or club)” (2022/23)
One appeal, then no further claim
A club refused compensation that does not appeal, or loses, can bring no further claim over that breach.
“will not be able to bring any further claim of any kind (whether for compensation, in damages or otherwise)” (2022/23)
The answer to a complaint
The accused answers within 14 days, admitting or denying.
“Within 14 days of receipt of the complaint” (2022/23)
Changing the early time limits
The answer periods can be changed for a compelling reason or by agreement.
“shall have the power to amend the time periods set out in Rules W.29 and W.30” (2022/23)
How a hearing runs
The chair controls the hearing; witnesses can be examined on oath and cross-examined.
“witnesses may be examined on oath” (2022/23)
Burden and standard of proof
The Board must prove its case, more likely than not.
“The Board shall have the burden of proving the complaint. The standard of proof shall be on a balance of probabilities.” (2022/23)
Majority decisions, no abstentions
Unanimous or by majority; every member must vote.
“No member of the Commission may abstain.” (2022/23)
Reasons, and no published dissent
The Commission gives reasons; a dissenting view is never published.
“no minority or dissenting opinion shall be produced or published” (2022/23)
The sanction hearing: mitigation (and aggravation)
Only after a complaint is proved does the Commission hear what should increase or reduce the sanction.
“invite the Board and the Respondent to place any mitigating and/or aggravating factors before the Commission” (2026/27)
Changed between editions: 2022/23 invited only the Respondent's mitigating factors; 2026/27 invites both sides and adds aggravating factors.
What a Commission can order
Reprimand, unlimited fine, suspension, points deduction, compensation, conditions, costs, any other order.
“impose upon the Respondent a fine unlimited in amount and suspend any part thereof” (2022/23)
Fines are a civil debt
The Board can sue for unpaid fines and costs; a club owed compensation can recover it the same way.
“Fines and costs shall be recoverable by the Board as a civil debt” (2022/23)
Who may appeal
The accused, a compensation claimant, and the Board (including against a sanction it thinks too lenient).
“considers a decision on sanction imposed by a Commission to be unduly lenient” (2022/23)
The Appeal Board
Three Appeals Panel members, chaired by someone who has held judicial office (a term the Rules do not define).
“one, who shall have held judicial office, shall sit as chairman of the Appeal Board” (2022/23)
The 14-day appeal deadline
The notice must reach the Chair of the Judicial Panel within 14 days of the decision. Strict.
“within 14 days of the date of the decision appealed against (time being of the essence)” (2022/23)
Shortening the appeal period
The period can be shortened for a compelling reason. No power to lengthen it is given.
“shall have the power to abridge the time period set out in Rule W.67” (2022/23)
The appeal timetable
2022/23: directions as the Appeal Board thinks fit. 2026/27: hearing within 12 weeks, reasons within 30 days, unless varied.
“conclude no later than 12 weeks (84 days) after the filing of the appeal” (2026/27)
Changed between editions: The 12-week standard timetable is new in 2026/27.
New evidence on appeal
Only evidence that could not have been found earlier with reasonable diligence.
“could not have been obtained by such party with reasonable diligence” (2022/23)
An appeal is a review
The Appeal Board reviews the evidence the Commission heard; it does not hear the case afresh.
“an appeal shall be by way of a review of the evidence adduced before the Commission” (2022/23)
What an Appeal Board can do
Allow, dismiss, vary the penalty or compensation, remit, or make any other order.
“remit the matter back to the Commission or Interim Commission with directions as to its future disposal” (2022/23)
The Appeal Board's decision is final
Final, subject only to Section X.
“the decision of an Appeal Board shall be final” (2022/23)
Evidence: any reliable means
Not bound by the courts' rules of admissibility; reliability is the test.
“facts relating to a breach of these Rules may be established by any reliable means” (2022/23)
The Overriding Objective
2022/23: not in this edition2026/27: W.103, PDF p.161 ↗New in 2026/27: Commissions and Appeal Boards must try to deal with cases fairly, efficiently and proportionately.
“shall seek to give effect to the Overriding Objective” (2026/27)
Lawyers
Parties may be represented by a solicitor or counsel on 14 days' notice.
“entitled to be represented by a solicitor or counsel” (2022/23)
Private hearings, published decisions
Proceedings are private; referrals are announced and final decisions published.
“shall be confirmed publicly and published on the League’s website” (2022/23)
Appointing someone from outside the Panel
The Chair may appoint a non-member for a particular case, expected only exceptionally.
“will exercise this power only in exceptional circumstances” (2022/23)
Everything goes to arbitration, and nowhere else
All disputes between the League, clubs and club directors go to arbitration in England, under English law; no other arbitration system (so not CAS).
“that no other system or mode of arbitration will be invoked to resolve any such dispute” (2022/23)
The five grounds of Section X review
Outside jurisdiction; fraud, malice or bad faith; serious procedural error; perverse reading of the law; a decision no reasonable body could reach.
“the only grounds for review of a decision of a Commission or Appeal Board by way of arbitration” (2022/23)
Outsiders and Section X
A non-party can use Section X only if sufficiently affected.
“sufficiently affected by the outcome of the dispute that it is right and proper for them to have standing” (2022/23)
Chief executives meet first
2022/23: not in this edition2026/27: X.7, PDF p.163 ↗New in 2026/27: before an arbitration, the chief executives meet and try to settle; a week must pass.
“If the alleged dispute is not settled within one week (seven days) of the meeting” (2026/27)
Starting an arbitration
By serving a request on the other side, copied to the Board.
“upon the party requesting an arbitration serving upon the other party (and copied to the Board) a request” (2022/23)
Who sits on a Section X tribunal
Three senior lawyers: one chosen by each side, a chair chosen by those two.
“a solicitor of no less than 10 years’ admission or a barrister of no less than 10 years’ call” (2022/23)
The tribunal can extend time
Unlike the Appeal Board's 14 days, Section X time limits can be extended.
“extend or abbreviate any time limits provided by this Section of these Rules or by its directions” (2022/23)
What a Section X tribunal can order
Declarations, money, interest, injunction-style orders, specific performance.
“order the payment of a sum of money” (2022/23)
The award is final; no appeal on law
Final, subject only to the Arbitration Act 1996, ss.67 to 71; the appeal on a point of law (s.69) is excluded.
“There shall be no right of appeal on a point of law under section 69 of the Act.” (2022/23)
Numbers and pages read from both editions on 2026-10-07. probative.io is a research and investigations practice, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice.