Your go-to resource for overviews of football’s institutions and procedures, and analysis of the latest football law news and decisions.
The Premier League Outfoxed?
On 3 September 2024, it was announced that Leicester City FC ("LCFC") had successfully appealed against a Disciplinary Commission's decision on jurisdiction in relation to LCFC's alleged breach of the Premier League's Profitability and Sustainability Rules for the season 2022/23. This article analyses the Appeal Board's decision and considers whether it was the right one.
Everton’s Double Trouble
On 8 April 2024, it was announced that a Premier League Commission had sanctioned Everton FC (“EFC”) with an immediate two-point deduction for EFC’s breach of the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (“PSR”). This article considers the Commission’s approach to sanction and how this affects the general approach to sanction for a breach of the PSR upper loss threshold.
Seeing the Wood for the Trees
On 18 March 2024, it was announced that a Premier League Commission had sanctioned Nottingham Forest Football Club with an immediate four-point deduction following a breach of the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (“PSR”). This article considers the Commission’s decision, which provides further clarity on how to approach sanction for a breach of the PSR.
EFL Outfoxed, For Now
On 6 March 2024 it was announced that a decision by the Championship Financial Review Panel (“the CFRP”) determined that Leicester City Football Club (“LCFC”) was not required to submit a business plan to demonstrate how it planned to comply with the EFL’s Championship Profitability and Sustainability Rules. This article explains the CFRP’s decision and indicates what the future holds for LCFC.
Everton’s Appeal Provides Sanction Guidance
On 26 February 2024, it was announced that Everton Football Club (“EFC”) had succeeded in its appeal against a Premier League Commission’s decision to sanction EFC with an immediate ten-point deduction for EFC’s breach of the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules. The Appeal Board’s decision provides valuable guidance on how to approach sanction in such cases.
Toffees Left in a Sticky Situation
On 17 November 2023, it was announced that a Premier League Commission had found that Everton Football Club had breached the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules and sanctioned EFC with an immediate ten-point deduction. This article considers the Commission’s approach to that sanction.
Financial Fair Play in Football
Football Law and Linklaters’ SportingLinks have linked up to produce a podcast. In this podcast Mark Warren, Kalin Ivanov and Jason Shardlow-Wrest of Linklaters and Thomas Horton discuss how football clubs playing in UEFA club competitions or the English Football League have grappled with those competitions’ financial fair play regulations this year.
Pride Park: Because You’re Worth It
On 25 August 2020 the EFL’s announced that an Independent Disciplinary Commission had dismissed the charge brought by the EFL against Derby County FC in respect of the valuation associated with the sale of Pride Park in 2018. This article considers how the IDC reached that decision.
Birmingham City FC: Small Heath, Big Breaches
Between August 2018 and June 2020 Birmingham City FC entered a business plan with the EFL, was against the EFL in three hearings, was deducted nine points and was issued with a reprimand. Now all of that is behind BCFC and their financial health seems much improved, this article provides a summary of those three hearings to explain what exactly happened.
The Owls and The Rams
Sheffield Wednesday FC and Derby County FC are awaiting the outcome of charges made against them by the EFL following each clubs' sale of their respective stadium in order to comply with the EFL Championship Profitability and Sustainability Rules. This article explains the background to those charges and considers the clubs' prospects of defending the same.