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DispatchFactbookCulture

by The United Kingdom of Tertania. . 122 reads.

Tertanian Premier Division

Tertanian Premier Division

Tertanian Premier Division






Founded: 16th of April, 1987


Country: Tertania


Confederation: USEAC (Usean Football Confederation)


Number of Teams: 20
Relegation to: TFL 1st Division


Domestic cup(s): TFA Challenger's Shield
TFA Cup


International cup(s): USEAC Challenger's League
USEAC Super Cup


Current champions: Estralas (7th Title)
(2019-20)
Most championships: Fuolopis United (13 titles)


Most appearances: Kieran Robin (700)
Top goalscorer: Max Callahan (311)


The Premier Division, or TPD, has grown to become the most prestigious and highly anticipated football league in Tertania. It is often regarded as the top-tier football league in the Confederation and attracts a massive fan base across the globe. The league's format is based on a system of promotion and relegation with the TFL, the second tier of Tertanian football. The Premier Division was founded on 16 April 1987 after a group of clubs in the TFL 1st Division decided to break away from the Tertanian Football League. The aim was to leverage the potential of television rights deal to attract more money into the game. Since then, the league has become a corporation with the member clubs acting as shareholders.

Over the years, the Premier Division has grown in popularity and is now one of the most-watched sports leagues in the world. The league's television rights are sold domestically and internationally, generating a revenue of 2.5 billion Tertans per year. The league has 20 clubs competing in each season, and each club plays 38 matches, playing every other team home and away. Most games are played on weekends, with some exceptions. The Premier Division is renowned for its highly competitive matches, and the league attracts some of the best football talent in the world. For the 2018-19 season, the average match attendance was 54,870, with most stadiums operating at near capacity.

Since its inception in 1987, 53 clubs have participated in the Premier Division, all of them being Tertanian. Nine of these clubs have won the title at least once, with Fuolopis United being the most successful club with 13 titles to their name. Other clubs that have won the title include Estralas (7), Isonphis United (7), Rovers (3), Isonphis City (2), Merekians (1), and Ansvale F.C. (1). These clubs have established themselves as the powerhouses of the Tertanian football scene and continue to dominate the league every season.

Contents

1 History
1.1 Foundation
1.2 Emergence of the "High Five" (2010s)
1.3 2020s
2 Competition Format
2.1 Competition
2.2 Promotion and Relegation
3 International Competitions
3.1 Performance in international competition
4 Stadiums
5 Players
5.1 Top Scorers
5.2 Wages
5.3 Player transfer fees
6 Clubs
7 Rules


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History


Foundation
In the mid-1980s, there was a growing desire among the top football clubs in Tertania to establish a new league that would bring more money into the game and help them compete with teams across Usea. The idea was to create a league that would have commercial independence from the existing Tertanian Football League, allowing it to negotiate its own broadcast agreements and generate more revenue for the clubs. The proposal was officially tabled at the close of the 1985-86 season, and a group of top clubs came together to sign the Founding Clubs Contract on August 3, 1986. This contract established the basic principles for setting up the new league, which would be called the TFA Premier Division.

One of the key provisions of the Founding Clubs Contract was the establishment of commercial independence for the new league. This meant that the Premier Division would have the right to negotiate its own broadcast agreements, without interference from the Tertanian Football League. The hope was that this would allow the league to generate more revenue and attract top talent from around the world. After a bidding process, Cloud Broadcasting won the rights to broadcast Premier Division matches for a total of 373 million Tertans over a four-year period. The Empire was awarded the highlights package, which would be broadcast on Fixture's Pictures.

The establishment of the TFA Premier Division was seen as a major development for football in Tertania. The new league brought in more money and allowed the top clubs to compete at a higher level. However, there were also concerns about the impact of commercialization on the sport and whether it would lead to a widening gap between the top clubs and those further down the ladder. Despite these concerns, the TFA Premier Division has continued to grow and evolve over the years, cementing its place as one of the top football leagues in Usea. Today, it remains a major source of excitement and entertainment for fans around the country.

The TFL 1st Division clubs broke away and resigned en masse from the Tertanian Football League in 1987, and on 1st July that year the Premier Division was formed as a limited company. The 20 inaugural members of the new Premier Division were:

Club name

Club name

Rovers

Manitea

Morekians

Blacksmiths

Isrens F.C.

Rulers

Isonphis United

Rangers

Isonphis City

Ancenton

Fuolopis United

Erypus United

Ansvale F.C.

Lintott

Monroe United

Wroet

Delcroft F.C.

Estralas

Windrip F.C.

Fenway

Emergence of the "High Five" (2010s)

After the turn of the millennium, the Premier Division experienced a significant transformation in its structure and competitiveness. The influx of foreign investment, especially from other regions in the Confederation, led to a shift in the balance of power within the league. By 2005, several teams had established themselves as perennial contenders, regularly finishing within the top five positions. Fans of smaller clubs started referring to these dominant clubs as the "High Fives," which eventually became an official term to designate the top 5 teams in the league. However, the increasing financial power of the "High Five" came under criticism for creating a widening gap between the elite "super clubs" and the rest of the Premier Division. These "super clubs" had the financial means to attract top talent from across the Confederation and beyond, leaving smaller teams struggling to keep pace. While this gap caused concern, it also served to intensify the competition for teams vying for the USEAC Challenger's League qualifying places and the coveted USEAC Super Cup position.

Despite the financial and competitive obstacles, some teams managed to defy the odds and emerge victorious. In the 2013-14 season, the Merekians made history by becoming the first club outside the "High Five" to win the Premier Division title since the Ansvale Anchors achieved the feat in the 1989-90 season. The Merekians' success injected renewed hope into smaller clubs, demonstrating that with dedication and good management, they could still compete against the financial might of the "High Five." Off the pitch, the "High Five" wielded significant financial power and influence within the league. The 2018-19 financial report revealed that all of the "High Five" teams had revenues exceeding 400 million Tertans, with Delcroft F.C. being the closest in terms of revenue, recording a figure of 297.3 million Tertans that year. This financial dominance allowed the "High Five" to attract top talent, invest in state-of-the-art facilities, and pursue their aspirations of continental and international success.

2020s

Starting from the 2018-19 season, the use of video assistant referees (VAR) was introduced in the Tertanian Premier Division. This technology was intended to reduce human error in making crucial decisions during games, such as determining whether a goal was scored or if a foul was committed inside the penalty area. Despite its good intentions, the use of VAR has been a contentious issue among football fans, with some arguing that it has led to more controversies and delays in the game. Max Callahan, the Tertanian Premier Division's top goalscorer and now a pundit, has been a vocal critic of VAR. In his opinion, the technology fails to correct human error and only adds to the controversies because human judgement is still necessary. He particularly disagrees with the way VAR handles offside rulings, which have resulted in several game-changing goals being revoked, potentially altering the outcome of seasons or cups. Callahan believes that it should be up to the linesmen to make those decisions instead.

In addition to the challenges posed by VAR, the Tertanian Premier Division faced a major setback with the outbreak of the Tertanian-Kyratean war. As a result of safety concerns, the league was temporarily suspended, causing a significant drop in club revenues. However, after a period of uncertainty, the league eventually resumed, with fans being allowed back in stadiums to cheer on their teams. Despite the challenges posed by VAR and the suspension of the league due to the war, the Tertanian Premier Division remains one of the most-watched and lucrative football leagues in the world. With its passionate fans, highly competitive matches, and top-notch facilities, the league is a major source of pride and excitement for Tertanians and football fans around the globe.

Competition Format


Competition

There are 20 clubs in the Tertanian Premier Division. During the course of a season each club plays the other twice, once at their home stadium and once at that of their opponent's, for 38 games. Teams receive 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw and none for a loss. Teams are ranked by total points, then goal difference, and then goals scored.

Promotion and Relegation

A system of promotion and relegation exists between the Tertanian Premier Division and the TFL 1st Division. The three lowest teams in the Tertanian Premier Division are relegated to the TFL 1st Division, and the top two teams from the Championship promoted to the Tertanian Premier Division, with an additional team promoted after a series of play-offs involving the third, fourth, fifth and sixth placed clubs.

International Competitions


Performance in international competitions

Between the 1987-88 and the 2019-20 seasons, Tertanian Premier Division clubs had won the USEAC Challenger's League seven times with 11 runners-up. They had also won the USEAC Super Cup a total of five times, being runners-up six times. While clubs from the Tertanian Premier Division have been successful in international competitions, they have been criticised for "not being good enough for the amount of money pumped in". Monroe United, despite having spent over 600 million Tertans on players since the 2008-9 season, have yet to win a USEAC Challenger's League.

Stadiums


As of the 2019-20 season, Tertanian Premier Division has been played in 49 stadiums since the formation of the division. Since the formation of the Tertanian Premier Division, football stadiums in Tertania have seen constant improvements to capacity and facilities, with some teams building entirely new stadiums. Two stadiums that have seen Tertanian Premier Division have been demolished. As of the 2018-19 season, nearly every stadium in the Tertanian Premier Division has a capacity of over 50,000, with only three exceptions: Chapel Road, with a capacity of 47,887, Seaview Arena with a capacity of 39,163 and Fenway Park, with a capacity of just 13,801.

Stadium attendances are a significant source of regular income for Tertanian Premier Division clubs. In the All Can See rule proposed by the TFA, ticket prices would be capped at a varied amount. The act was deemed unsustainable by the board, as it would hurt clubs financially.

Players


Top Scorers

Rank

Player

Years

Goals

Apps

1

Max Callahan

1991-2007

311

483

2

Trevor Matthews

1993-2008

260

536

3

Iyanoł Miločev

2001-

251

581

4

Jadon Irvine

2003-

224

577

5

Jax Carter

2013-

198

241

Italics denotes player is still playing professional football.
Bold denotes player is still playing in the Tertanian Premier Division.

Wages

There is no team or individual salary cap in the Tertanian Premier Division. As a result of the increasingly lucrative broadcasting deals along with more investment from club owners, player wages rose sharply following the formation of the Tertanian Premier Division when the average player wage was 67,000 Tertans per year. In the 2019-20 season the average annual salary stood at 3.21 million Tertans. The total salary bill for the 20 Tertanian Premier Division clubs in the 1029-20 season was 2.11 billion Tertans. The club with the highest average wages is Isonphis United at 7.1 million Tertans.

Player Transfer Fees

The record transfer fee for a Tertanian Premier Division has risen steadily over the lifetime of the league. Prior to the start of the first Tertanian Premier Division season, Dylan Watts became the first Tertanian player to have a transfer fee of more than 2.5 million Tertans. The record has increased steadily and Arthur Garrison is now the most expensive transfer involving a Tertanian Premier Division club at 191 million Tertans, moving from the Merekians to a top club in Feuraxia. Garrison, who moved to the Feuraxian club in the 2016-17 season has been plagued with injuries and has not returned entirely on the investment. The highest transfer fee paid by a Tertanian Premier Division club is 145 million Tertans for Martyn Fletcher.

Top transfer fees paid by Tertanian Premier Division clubs:

Rank

Player

Fee (min.)

Previous Club

Current Club

1

Martyn Fletcher

145m

Fenway

Isonphis United

2

Jax Carter

120m

Blacksmiths

Fuolopis United

3

David Bowe

100m

Telmanian Crocodiles

Isonphis United

4

Mathieu Vandame

85m

Port Patterson

Isonphis City

5

Kai Strauss

80m

Ansvale Anchors

Fuolopis United

Top transfer fees received by Tertanian Premier Division clubs:

Rank

Player

Fee (min.)

Previous Club

Current Club

1

Arthur Garrison

191m

Fuolopis United

RK Sector

2

Lennox Kumar

160m

Blacksmiths

FC Monetia

3

Martyn Fletcher

145m

Fenway

Isonphis United

4

Kieran Yates

130m

Estralas

Gorod 1892

5

Jax Carter

120m

Blacksmiths

Fuolopis United

Clubs


Fuolopis United

League Titles Won: 13

Last League Title: 2016/17

Last USEAC Title: Challenger's League, 2014/15

Top Goalscorer: Trevor Matthews (260)

Most Appearances: Charlie Hynes (659)

Manager: Les Banks

Manager's Tactical Style: Park the Bus

Goal song: LinkSong 2

Formation: 5-2-1-2

Lineup: Glen Peacock (C) (GK), Thomas Cowley (LWB), Conrad Ratcliffe (LCB), Darren Rehman (CB), Fraser Paterson (RCB), Geoff Chambers (RWB), Elliot Langley (LCM), Joel Walmsley (RCM), Kai Strauss (CAM), Jax Carter (ST), Craig Hull (ST); Bench: Kelvin Dean (GK), Sean Robins (CB), Dominic Ashby (DM), Timothy Cain (CM), Oscar Cooke (CM), Justin Cross (LW), Anton Daniels (ST).

Fuolopis United are the most successful team in Tertanian football, having won 13 league titles, 9 TFA Cups, 4 USEAC Challenger's Leagues and 1 USEAC Super Cup. Their home ground is Lotus Park, and with a capacity of 81,150, it is the second highest capacity stadium in the league behind only the newly-built AMAX Arena which has a capacity of 101,000. United's form has dropped off in recent years, having struggled to qualify for the USEAC Challenger's League, and even only getting a spot in the USEAC Super Cup in the 2019/20 season. Spending over 550 million Tertans since their last title win, their spending has not paid off. Fans have been blaming the team's managers for their lack of form, with the club hiring 6 different managers since their last league title, though the media have put blame on big money transfers such as David Bowe and team captain Martyn Fletcher for their lack of return for money spent. Club legend Frank Dean, who captained the team from 1987 to 2003, has been one of the harshet critics of the team, saying: "Martyn Fletcher, useless, useless he is... as a captain, I mean, I don't think he said one word to the team in the last 3 derbies. When the manager can't motivate the team, it's up to the captain to keep the dressing room and keep the team going - and Fletcher's doing none of that. If I was the manager, I'd want a new captain, one who'll actually do the talking."

Estralas

League Titles Won: 7

Last League Title: 2019/20

Last USEAC Title: USEAC Challenger's Cup, 2018/19

Top Goalscorer: Kieran Yates (209)

Most Appearances: Roy Howe (594)

Manager: Frank Hawkes

Goal song: LinkI Like It Loud

Manager's Tactical Style: Gegenpress

Formation: 3-5-2

Lineup: Bobby Neal (GK), Fred Maynard (LCB), Marc Potts (C) (CB), George Mather (RCB), Karl Holmes (LM), Leslie Ball (DM), John Raymond (DM), Callum Crouch (RM), Jacob Priestley (CAM), Jay Fletcher (ST), Ryan Clayton (ST); Bench: Paul Miller (GK), Tom Squires (CB), Toby Coombs (CB), Jude Ingham (DM), Bryan Hart (CM), Anthony Lawson (RM), Rick Cannon (ST).

Estralas is one of the largest clubs within the country. In a survey held by The Empire, Estralas ranked 2nd in the Most Loyal Fans category, only behind the Morekians. They won the majority of their titles in the years right after the Tertanian Premier Division was founded, although they have recently been the champions of 2 consecutive leagues, winning in the 2018/19 and 2019/20 seasons. Their last USEAC title came in a 1-0 victory over Isonphis City, with the goal coming via a header scored by their captain, Marc Potts in the 82' minute. The massive AMAX Arena was completed near the end of last year, replacing Cicco Park. Their long-time owners, the Dugg Family, have invested large amounts of money in the club.

Rovers

League Titles Won: 3

Last League Title: 2006/07

Last USEAC Title: USEAC Super Cup, 2011/12

Top Goalscorer: Iyanoł Miločev (251)

Most Appearances: Iyanoł Miločev (581)

Manager: Gareth Clark

Manager's Tactical Style: Wing play

Goal song: LinkSeven Nation Army

Formation: 4-3-3

Lineup: Greg Masters (GK), Ron Brooks (LB), Eddie Waller (LCB), Grahame Farrar (RCB), Victor Stevens (RB), Shane Marks (DM), Ralph Garner (LCM), Dan Warner (RCM), Frederick Bedford (LW), Ian Richmond (RW), Iyanoł Miločev (C) (CF); Bench: Raymond Berry (GK), Tristan Owen (CB), Chase Dale (CB), Arthur Dalton (CM), Ross Bower (CM), Lloyd Knott (LM), Kevin Fenton (ST).

The Rovers are a mid-table club, often struggling to get Usean football but also staying far away from the relegation zone. They are significant for the atmosphere during matches, which is widely regarded as the best in the league. Large tifos, deafening chants and even flares are common occurrences at the Rover's stadium, Oracle Bridge. The Rovers have also gained a cult following in Daulmark, mainly thanks to the club's long-time captain, Iyanoł Miločev, who has become an icon in Daulmark. Although the club hasn't won any major silverware for nearly 10 years, the team has produced some memorable moments, such as the 5-4 comeback in the USEAC 2011/12 Super Cup final, with Miločev scoring a hat-trick and assisting the two other goals, cementing himself as a club legend and being regarded as one of the best individual performances in history. The club is facing takeover interests from an undisclosed company, with the club's current owners willing to sell the club, but 'only for the right amount'.

Morekians

League Titles Won:

Last League Title:

Last USEAC Title:

Top Goalscorer:

Most Appearances:

Manager:

Manager's Tactical Style:

Goal song: LinkChelsea Dagger

Formation:

Lineup:

Isrens F.C.

League Titles Won:

Last League Title:

Last USEAC Title:

Top Goalscorer:

Most Appearances:

Manager:

Manager's Tactical Style:

Goal song: LinkUptown Funk

Formation:

Lineup:

Isonphis United

League Titles Won:

Last League Title:

Last USEAC Title:

Top Goalscorer:

Most Appearances:

Manager:

Manager's Tactical Style:

Goal song: LinkKernkraft 400

Formation:

Lineup:

Isonphis City

League Titles Won:

Last League Title:

Last USEAC Title:

Top Goalscorer:

Most Appearances:

Manager:

Manager's Tactical Style:

Goal song: LinkImmigrant Song

Formation:

Lineup:

Ansvale F.C.

League Titles Won:

Last League Title:

Last USEAC Title:

Top Goalscorer:

Most Appearances:

Manager:

Manager's Tactical Style:

Goal song: LinkThis Girl

Formation:

Lineup:

Monroe United

League Titles Won:

Last League Title:

Last USEAC Title:

Top Goalscorer:

Most Appearances:

Manager:

Manager's Tactical Style:

Goal song: LinkRama Lama Ding Dong

Formation:

Lineup:

Delcroft F.C.

League Titles Won:

Last League Title:

Last USEAC Title:

Top Goalscorer:

Most Appearances:

Manager:

Manager's Tactical Style:

Goal song: LinkRock and Roll Part II

Formation:

Lineup:

Windrip F.C.

League Titles Won:

Last League Title:

Last USEAC Title:

Top Goalscorer:

Most Appearances:

Manager:

Manager's Tactical Style:

Goal song: LinkGimme! Gimme! Gimme!

Formation:

Lineup:

Manitea

League Titles Won:

Last League Title:

Last USEAC Title:

Top Goalscorer:

Most Appearances:

Manager:

Manager's Tactical Style:

Goal song: LinkChase the Sun

Formation:

Lineup:

Blacksmiths

League Titles Won:

Last League Title:

Last USEAC Title:

Top Goalscorer:

Most Appearances:

Manager:

Manager's Tactical Style:

Goal song: LinkI Will Survive

Formation:

Lineup:

Rulers

League Titles Won:

Last League Title:

Last USEAC Title:

Top Goalscorer:

Most Appearances:

Manager:

Manager's Tactical Style:

Goal song: LinkAchilles' Last Stand

Formation:

Lineup:

Rangers

League Titles Won:

Last League Title:

Last USEAC Title:

Top Goalscorer:

Most Appearances:

Manager:

Manager's Tactical Style:

Goal song: LinkFast Fuse

Formation:

Lineup:

Ancenton

League Titles Won:

Last League Title:

Last USEAC Title:

Top Goalscorer:

Most Appearances:

Manager:

Manager's Tactical Style:

Goal song: LinkHi Ho Silver Lining

Formation:

Lineup:

Erypus United

League Titles Won:

Last League Title:

Last USEAC Title:

Top Goalscorer:

Most Appearances:

Manager:

Manager's Tactical Style:

Goal song: LinkFreed from Desire

Formation:

Lineup:

Lintott

League Titles Won:

Last League Title:

Last USEAC Title:

Top Goalscorer:

Most Appearances:

Manager:

Manager's Tactical Style:

Goal song: LinkSamba De Janeiro

Formation:

Lineup:

Wroet

League Titles Won:

Last League Title:

Last USEAC Title:

Top Goalscorer:

Most Appearances:

Manager:

Manager's Tactical Style:

Goal song: LinkCan Can Music

Formation:

Lineup:

Fenway

League Titles Won:

Last League Title:

Last USEAC Title:

Top Goalscorer:

Most Appearances:

Manager:

Manager's Tactical Style:

Goal song: LinkParanoid

Formation:

Lineup:

Rules

Start date

The Premier Division usually starts on 6 August and ends on 28 May. These dates are subject to change.

General competition rules

Number of teams

There are 20 teams in the Premier Division

Number of Matches

38 games (teams play each other twice)

Points

  • Points for Win - 3

  • Points for Draw - 1

  • Points for Loss - 0

Match rules

  • Under-21 players are automatically eligible to play in all matches

  • Only players registered for this competition are eligible to play.

Substitution rules

  • 12 subs named, maximum 5 used

Trialist rules

  • No trialists allowed to play in matches

Eligibility rules

  • Players cannot play competitive matches for more than two clubs in a single season

Disciplinary rules

  • Matches have Video Assistant Referees (VAR)

  • Matches will use Goal-line Technology for checking valid goals

  • One match ban after five yellow cards

  • Two match ban after next five yellow cards

  • Three match ban for every additional five yellow cards

  • Teams receive a 30,000 Tertan fine if 6 or more yellow cards are received in one match

  • One match ban for first red card

  • Two match ban for second red card

  • Three match ban for third red card (continues in this pattern)
    Serious Offence Ban Information

  • One match ban for: striking another player (minor)

  • Two match ban for: bad tackles, violent conduct, striking another player

  • Five match ban for: striking another player (extreme)

  • Twelve match ban for: striking a match official

L. Position

Qualification/promotion/relegation

Prize money

1st

Usean Challenger League Group Stage

45.2m

2nd

Usean Challenger League Group Stage

42.9m.

3rd

Usean Challenger League Group Stage

40.7m

4th

Usean Challenger League Group Stage*

38.4m

5th

Usean Super Cup Group Stage

36.1m

6th

Usean Super Cup Group Stage**

33.9m

* Depending on winner of Usean Super Cup
** Depending on winner of Tertanian Challenger's Shield

League sorting rules

  • Results between teams*

  • Goal difference

  • Goals scored

    * Team records against other teams on the same points will be sorted by the rules in the following order:

  • Goal difference

Relegation

  • Bottom three teams are relegated to TFL First Division

Parachute payment

  • 48m given in first year

  • 37m given in second year

  • 19m given in third year (for clubs not relegated one season after being promoted)

Transfer windows and squad registration rules

Squad registration

  • Minimum of four players trained at the club for three years (regardless of their loan spells away from the club) between 15th and 21st birthdays

  • Minimum of eight players trained in the same nation for three years between 15th and 21st birthdays

  • Maximum squad size of twenty-five players

  • Players can be registered between 1 July to 1 September and 1 January to 31 January

  • Clubs can replace a goalkeeper with another goalkeeper outside of the registration windows

  • Clubs can replace a player who agreed the mutual termination of his contract outside the registration windows

  • Clubs can replace up to two outfield players once per season outside the registration window

Transfer window

  • 1 July to 1 September

  • 1 January to 31 January

  • 1 July to 31 March; restricted transfer window - free transfers only

Transfer and registration rules

Transfer rules

  • If a club has three or more non-LoPN players in their squad on 30 June of each season, including those soon to be out of contract but excluding those out on loan, they can only sign and register up to two new non-LoPN players to play in official matches the following season, and those players will be subject to the following restrictions: one can be signed without the need to replace a player, but only if the player has played at least five national team matches (including U21 if the player is under 21) or has been called up at least twice for a national team in the last season; one can be signed should one of the non-LoPN players contracted to the club: leave to a foreign club, see their contract expire/terminated, or gain a LoPN nationality (just one of these three events will free up one additional non-LoPN slot)

  • If a club has two non-LoPN players in their squad on 30 June of each season, including those soon to be out of contract but excluding those out on loan, they can only sign and register up to two new non-LoPN players to play in official matches: one who is subject to no restrictions and one who can only be signed if an existing non-LoPN player either leaves for a foreign team, sees his contract expire or gains a LoPN nationality.

  • If a club has one or no contracted non-LoPN players in the squad on 30 June of each season, including those soon to be out of contract but excluding those out on loan, they can only sign and register up to three new non-LoPN players to play in official matches with no restrictions.

  • Non-LoPN players signed above the season allowance will not be able to take part in official matches until at least the following season.

  • Teams can sign no more than six foreign Under-21 players from abroad in a season.

  • Managers cannot work for two teams in the same division in the same season

    Loan rules

    • Maximum of six foreign-based players over the age of 22 allowed on loan at a time

    • Maximum of six players over the age of 22 allowed out on loan to a foreign club at a time

    • Loans must end in a valid transfer window

    Financial rules

    Financial fair-play rules

    • Teams must avoid making a lose of more than 17.54m over a three-season period in order to comply with financial fair play regulations

    • Failure to comply will result in the following sanction: if remaining in the same division, a points deduction of 5 points gets applied for the following season

    • The board is allowed to invest a maximum of 110m towards the calculated income

    Wage rules

    • 850 p/w minimum wage for full-time players 25 years and older

    • 600 p/w minimum wage for full-time players from 20 to 22 years old

    • 400 p/w minimum wage for full-time players from 17 to 18 years old

    Misc rules

    Administration rules

    • Clubs entering administration will face a 9 point penalty deduction

    Stadium requirements

    • Minimum stadium capacity: 12,500

    • Minimum stadium seating capacity: 6,250

    • Terracing is permitted

    • Grass pitches only

    • Undersoil heating required

    • Clubs that do not meet requirements are allowed to use their current stadiums for a period of 2 years

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