EFL REGULATIONS 2021/22 CONTENTS SECTION 1 GENERAL ..................................................................................................................... 4 1 Definitions ..................................................................................................................... 4 2 Alterations to these Regulations ................................................................................. 12 SECTION 2 MEMBERSHIP ............................................................................................................ 14 3 The League ................................................................................................................. 14 4 Resignation from or Expulsion of Membership ........................................................... 14 SECTION 3 THE LEAGUE ............................................................................................................. 16 5 Divisional Structure of The League Competition ........................................................ 16 6 Competitions Organised by The League .................................................................... 16 7 Application for and Relegation from Membership ....................................................... 16 8 Divisional Criteria ........................................................................................................ 18 9 Method of Determining League Positions ................................................................... 19 10 Promotion, Relegation and Play-Offs.......................................................................... 20 11 Retirement, Cessation of Membership and Admission of New Clubs ........................ 23 12 Sporting Sanctions ...................................................................................................... 25 SECTION 4 CLUBS ........................................................................................................................ 30 13 Registration of Ground ................................................................................................ 30 14 Covered Stadia ........................................................................................................... 32 15 Synthetic or Artificial Grass Surfaces .......................................................................... 32 16 Clubs’ Financial Records ............................................................................................ 32 17 HMRC Reporting ......................................................................................................... 38 18 Financial Fair Play ....................................................................................................... 39 19 Assignment of Central Distributions ............................................................................ 40 20 Customer Charters ...................................................................................................... 41 21 Undertakings to be given by Club Officials ................................................................. 41 22 Changes of Directors at Clubs .................................................................................... 42 23 Club / Employees Relationships ................................................................................. 42 SECTION 5 FIXTURES .................................................................................................................. 43 24 Requirement to Play Full Strength Sides in League Matches .................................... 43 25 Misconduct in Pre-Arranging the Result of Matches ................................................... 43 26 Administration and Arrangement of Fixtures .............................................................. 43 27 Kick-Off Times ............................................................................................................. 45 28 Postponements, Abandonments and Re-Arrangements ............................................ 46 29 Testimonials ................................................................................................................ 47 30 Re-Arrangement of FA Cup Ties ................................................................................ 47 31 Penalty for Non-Fulfilment of Fixture Obligations ....................................................... 47 32 Clubs not to arrange activities to interfere with League Competition Fixtures............ 47 33 Conduct of Matches .................................................................................................... 47 34 Facilities to be Provided .............................................................................................. 50 35 Medical Provisions ...................................................................................................... 55 36 Notification of Results and Referees’ Marks ............................................................... 59 37 Championship Trophies and Medals .......................................................................... 59 38 Registration of Playing Kits ......................................................................................... 59 39 Referees and Assistant Referees ............................................................................... 61 40 Managers .................................................................................................................... 61 41 Pre-Season Meetings.................................................................................................. 62 SECTION 6 PLAYERS ................................................................................................................... 64 42 Transfer Windows ....................................................................................................... 64 43 Registration of Players ................................................................................................ 65 44 Breach of Conditions of Registration .......................................................................... 69 1 45 Types of Registration .................................................................................................. 70 46 Registration Forms ...................................................................................................... 73 47 General Provisions Relating to Player Transfers ........................................................ 74 48 Conditions of Transfer ................................................................................................. 76 49 Intermediaries ............................................................................................................. 76 50 Prohibition of Third Party Investment .......................................................................... 77 51 Transfer/Compensation Fees Method of Payment ................................................... 78 52 Fees Payable on Appearances etc. ............................................................................ 82 53 Non-payment to Players ............................................................................................. 83 54 Temporary Loan Transfers ......................................................................................... 84 55 Standard Loans ........................................................................................................... 86 56 International Loan ....................................................................................................... 88 57 Emergency Goalkeeper Loan ..................................................................................... 89 58 Medical Insurance and Medical Records .................................................................... 90 59 Registration of Non Contract Players.......................................................................... 91 60 Termination of Registration of Non Contract Player ................................................... 92 61 Youth Development Rules .......................................................................................... 92 62 Monthly/Multiplicity Registrations ................................................................................ 92 63 Conditions of Contract ................................................................................................ 93 64 Minimum Wages ......................................................................................................... 99 65 Approaches by Clubs .................................................................................................. 99 66 Clubs Ceasing to be Members .................................................................................... 99 67 Transfers After Expiry of Contract ............................................................................. 100 68 Compensation Fee for Players out of Contract ......................................................... 104 69 List of Players ............................................................................................................ 105 70 Players Over 24 ........................................................................................................ 106 71 Avoidance and Evasion of Transfer Fees and/or Compensation Fees .................... 106 72 Professional Football Compensation Committee ...................................................... 106 73 Other Disputes .......................................................................................................... 106 74 Appeals from a Player