PREMIER LEAGUE

SECTION W: DISCIPLINARY
W.24. The complaint shall be in Form 35 and shall identify the Rule allegedly breached,
it shall contain a summary of the facts alleged and it shall have annexed to it
copies of any documents relied upon by the Board.
W.25. The complaint shall be sent by recorded delivery post by the Secretary to the
Respondent. In the case of a Respondent who is a Manager, an Official or a Player it
shall be sent to him care of his Club. A complaint shall be deemed to have been
received by a Respondent on the third day after the date of posting. No defect in the
service of a complaint shall invalidate all or any part of the proceedings if it can be
shown that it is likely that the complaint has come to the attention of the Respondent.
W.26. At any stage the Commission may determine (either of its own accord or as a result of
representations from a Person, Club or club and in any event in its sole discretion), that
if the complaint is upheld, it may wish to exercise its power under Rule W.52.5 to
award compensation to any Person or to any Club (or club). If the Commission so
determines, it shall notify the parties to the proceedings and the relevant Person, Club
or club of this fact. The Commission may then make appropriate directions as to the
receipt of evidence of loss from the relevant Person, Club or club as well as directions
on the receipt of evidence in response from the parties to the proceedings.
W.27. In the case of a Respondent which is a Club, if a Commission considers whether to
exercise its power under Rule W.52.5 to award compensation to another Club (which
term for the purposes of this Rule W.27 shall include a Relegated Club), but determines
that the other Club has no entitlement to compensation, the other Club shall be
entitled to appeal that determination to an Appeal Board. If it does not do so, or if the
Appeal Board upholds the Commission’s decision that it has no entitlement to
compensation, it shall not be entitled to bring any claim for compensation, whether
under these Rules or otherwise, against the Respondent Club arising out of the
breach of these Rules in respect of which the Commission was appointed.
W.28. Within 14 days of receipt of the complaint the Respondent shall send to the Secretary
by recorded delivery post a written answer in Form 36 in which the Respondent:
W.28.1. shall either admit or deny the complaint; and
W.28.2. may request that the complaint shall be determined by written
representations in which case, if the complaint is denied, the written
representations shall be contained in the answer.
W.29. The Secretary on behalf of the Board shall respond in writing to any such request
within 14 days of receipt of the answer and if the request is denied the complaint
shall be determined at a hearing.
W.30. If the complaint is admitted, the Respondent may include in the answer any
mitigation to be taken into account by the Commission.
W.31. If the complaint is denied, the Respondent’s reasons shall be set out in the answer
and copies of any documents on which the Respondent relies shall be annexed.
W.32. Documentary evidence shall be admissible whether or not copies are attached
to the complaint or the answer as long as such documents are:
R.20
R.21
R.22
R.23
R.24
R.25
R.26
R.27
R.28
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PREMIER LEAGUE RULES: SECTION W