Football League introduces "Fit & Proper Person" test for club directors

Press release from the Football League:

The Football League has introduced the first 'fit and proper persons' test for Club Directors in the history of English professional football.

The new rules make it a breach of League regulations for anyone to be a club director or to hold a majority interest in a Football League club if:

- they are subject to a ban from a sports governing body relating to the administration of that sport

- they have an unspent conviction relating to fraud or dishonesty

- they are disqualified from acting as a director of a UK registered company

- they are currently subject to a bankruptcy order

- they have been a director of a club that has been in Administration twice during a five year period OR a director of two different clubs that have each gone into Administration during a five year period.

All current Club league directors have to a declaration by 31st July that they meet these criteria - all new directors will have to sign a similar declaration when they are appointed.

The Chairman of the Football League, Sir Brian Mawhinney, said "Too many times in recent history we have seen the good work of the vast majority of club directors being tarnished by a handful of rogue individuals. I believe this is the most progressive and important step taken to date.

"I am delighted that Club chairmen have taken this brave decision and that the Football League continues to take the lead in vital football areas."