PREMIER LEAGUE

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT RULES
GAMES PROGRAMME
152. The Football League will organise Professional Development League 3, which shall consist of a
league or leagues played on a competitive basis and organised on a regional basis, the
composition of such regional league(s) and the minimum number of matches to be played by
each Club to be at the absolute discretion of the Football League who shall so far as reasonably
possible determine the composition of each such league to ensure that each Club has to travel
no more than three hours to each match (save that longer travel times may be necessary in
order that each Club can participate meaningfully in Professional Development League 3).
For the avoidance of doubt teams of Clubs operating Category 3 and Category 4 Academies
shall compete together in Professional Development League 3.
153. Eligibility in each of the Professional Development Leagues shall be limited to players in age
group Under 21 or younger, save that each Club may nominate on its team sheet for any
match in a Professional Development League no more than:
153.1. one older goalkeeper; and
153.2. the number of older outfield players determined pursuant to Rule 155.
154. The number of older outfield players referred to in Rule 153 shall be determined as follows
(and in any case shall be no fewer than three and no greater than five);
154.1. in respect of Professional Development League 1 for Season 2012/13, such number as a
majority of those Clubs (and Football League clubs) who have by 31 March 2012 applied
for licences to operate Category 1 Academies determine by no later than 31 May 2012; and
154.2. in respect of Professional Development Leagues 2 and 3 for Season 2012/13 such
number as a majority of those Clubs (and Football League clubs) who have by 31 May
2012 applied for licences to operate Category 2 and Category 3 Academies respectively
determine by no later than 30 June 2012; and
154.3. in respect of Professional Development Leagues 1, 2 and 3 for subsequent Seasons,
such number as a majority of those Clubs (and Football League clubs) who compete in
each Professional Development League so determine by no later than 31 March in the
preceding Season.
For the avoidance of doubt, any reference in this Rule 154 to a determination to be made in respect
of one of the Professional Development Leagues shall only be made by the Clubs (and the Football
League clubs) who compete in that Professional Development League.
Guidance
The number of over-age outfield players to be permitted in the Professional Development Leagues has been discussed
extensively with Clubs. There was a consensus that over-age players should be permitted, but lack of agreement as to
how many. There is a marginally greater support for Clubs being able to include 3 such players on the team sheet (rather than
the alternative proposal of 5). It is accordingly proposed that the Clubs (and Football League clubs) competing in each of the
Professional Development Leagues shall decide by a majority how many (up to a maximum of 5) shall be permitted in each
League. (This may of course result in there being a different number in each of the Professional Development Leagues,
depending on the votes of the clubs in membership of each). Interim provisions to determine the numbers for Season 2012/13
have been included in the Rule.
Rules concerning the number of permitted substitutes will be developed in consultation with Clubs participating in each
Professional Development League.
155. At least two matches in the Professional Development League shall be played at the Club’s ground
registered pursuant to Rule K.5, and other matches may be played at an alternative ground subject
to the approval of the Board or the Football League (as appropriate). Such alternative grounds may
include a pitch at the Club’s Academy provided that it is floodlit, has a fenced off pitch and provides
a spectator area.
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