PREMIER LEAGUE

GAMES PROGRAMME
143.3. Categories 3 and 4:
143.3.1. in two or more leagues, each of which shall be constituted on a geographical basis
(for example one league of northern based teams and one of southern based
teams), the exact number of leagues and their geographical constitution to be
determined by the Football League in its absolute discretion and having regard to
those Football League clubs (and Clubs) which operate Category 3 and 4 Academies.
144. Matches in the Professional Development Phase Games Programme:
144.1. shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game (and for the avoidance of
doubt shall be in the 11v11 format);
144.2. shall be for Players in the Under 18 age group (and younger) only, save that a Club may
name in its team sheet a goalkeeper in the Under 19 age group;
144.3. shall only have five substitutes named on the team sheet (and for the avoidance of
doubt three substitutes may enter the field of play);
144.4. shall consist of competitive leagues and Tournaments; and
144.5. may include of an optional Futsal programme organised by the League (for Clubs
operating Category 1 and Category 2 Academies) in the months of December, January
and February.
145. Further provisions binding on Clubs competing in the Leagues referred to in Rule 144.4 shall be
set out in the rules of those Leagues.
146. Each Club which operates an Academy:
146.1. must participate fully in the Professional Development Phase Games Programme;
146.2. may organise and participate in additional Authorised Games (which shall be notified to
the relevant League no later than 72 hours before they are scheduled to take place).
Professional Development League
147. Each Club which operates a Category 1 Academy shall compete in Professional Development
League 1.
148. Each Club which operates a Category 2 Academy shall compete in Professional Development
League 2 unless it is able to demonstrate to the League that its starting 11s in its first team
matches during the preceding Season in those competitions set in Rule L.10.1 to Rule L.10.5
included on average at least five Players in the Under 21 age group or younger.
149. Each Club which operates a Category 3 or Category 4 Academy may compete in the
development league to be organised by the Football League.
150. The League will organise Professional Development League 1, which shall consist of a national
league competition played on a competitive basis with a minimum of 24 matches per Club.
151. The League will organise Professional Development League 2, which shall consist of a league
or leagues played on a competitive basis with a minimum of 24 matches per Club organised on
a regional basis, the composition of such regional league(s) to be at the absolute discretion of
the Board 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 2).
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YOUTH DEVELOPMENT RULES