Football League approve new rules

At their Annual General Meeting this week, the Football League have decided to make two changes to the rules that affect all 72 clubs within the structure. The first change means that a transfer embargo will be placed upon any clubs who fall behind with their employee related tax payments to HMRC until the debt is passed, in an attempt to curb the trend of clubs falling into administration. A proposal from Derby County has also been passed, which means clubs will now be able to name seven substitutes on matchdays, as opposed to just five.

The new tax ruling means that it will be more difficult for clubs to fall behind with their tax payments, something which has seen the likes of Southampton, Stockport County and Darlington fall into administration towards the end of last season. Six teams across the Football League were deducted points due to financial issues last season, the most since the points deductions were brought into place.

Meanwhile, clubs will now be able to name seven substitutes in their matchday squads, although only three will still be permitted to be used. This ruling is already in place in the Premier League and FA Cup, and will now be rolled out across the Football League. It will allow clubs more options from the bench, and also mean that younger players are more likely to get experience from being in the matchday squad.