Premier League academy clubs, academy players registered on PLYD Form 5, and their parents all sign the same code of conduct. The club takes on duties around safety, welfare, medical care, coaching and education support; the player takes on duties around attendance, effort, schoolwork and behaviour; the parents take on duties to support without pressure and not contact another academy.
Who signs it and what a breach can mean
The code applies to three parties: the club, an academy player registered on PLYD Form 5, and his parents. Each party signs it and agrees to follow the standards set for that party.
If the league board determines that the code has been breached, that breach may be treated as a breach of the youth development rules. So the code sits alongside the wider rulebook rather than outside it.
What each party signs up to
Here is the core commitment for each side.
| Party | The heart of what they agree |
|---|---|
| The club | A safe and inclusive environment, welfare and medical support, a structured coaching programme, qualified staff, education support and regular reports |
| The player | Regular punctual attendance, applying what he is taught, keeping up his schoolwork, a sensible lifestyle, and no abusive or discriminatory behaviour, online included |
| The parents | Support without pressure, a good example, no contact with another academy while he is registered, and talking to the academy about any concern |
What the club undertakes
The club agrees to provide a safe and inclusive environment in which the player can learn and develop free from abuse, bullying, mistreatment and discrimination in any form. It also agrees to protect the player's welfare, including his mental and emotional wellbeing, and to ensure medical screening, monitoring and support.
On football development, the club agrees to provide a structured learning programme suited to the player's age, ability and growth. It also agrees to provide participation in matches arranged or approved by the league as part of the games programme, along with trained and qualified coaching staff and facilities.
On education and communication, the club agrees to give the player and his parents guidance on how to contribute to his football and personal development. It also agrees to provide compensatory education and support, in consultation with his parents and his school, in a way that fits his educational needs and training model. Regular communication and progress reporting are part of the same commitment, and the club may also issue an additional code of conduct or academy rules.
One further commitment covers everyone affiliated to the club. The club agrees to ensure that all of them receive regular safeguarding training approved by its Head of Safeguarding and have been subject to safer recruitment procedures.
What the player undertakes
The player agrees to attend the academy regularly and punctually, to behave with self-discipline, and to give notice of and reasons for any absence. Attendance in the code is tied to communication as well as presence.
He also agrees to practise the techniques and skills taught by the academy and to try to apply them in matches. School remains part of the deal too, because he agrees to maintain his academic progression and attainment.
The code also covers daily habits and conduct. The player agrees to follow a lifestyle appropriate to his development, spend leisure time positively, and eat, drink, relax and sleep sensibly. He agrees to communicate with academy staff and keep them informed of anything affecting him, and he must not behave abusively, violently, or in a bullying or discriminatory way, including online. He also agrees to follow any code of conduct the club issues and any rules for its academy.
What the parents undertake
The parents agree to support the player in meeting targets, including this code and any separate code or rules issued by the club. The code also defines the tone of that support: they are to support him without pressure, praise good work, refrain from criticising lapses, and set a good example.
They also agree to communicate with academy staff to resolve concerns and to keep staff informed of anything affecting the player. That makes ongoing contact with the academy part of the parents' side of the agreement.
One restriction is stated directly. While the player is registered with an academy, the parents must not approach or communicate, directly or indirectly, with another academy, except where the youth development rules allow it.
FAQ
What is the Premier League academy code of conduct?
It is a shared code signed by the club, the academy player and his parents. It sets the expected standards for each party rather than using one undivided list for everyone.
What do academies promise players and parents?
The club promises a safe and inclusive setting, welfare protection, medical screening, monitoring and support, and a structured football learning programme. It also promises qualified staff, facilities, education support, regular communication and progress reports.
Can a parent contact another academy?
Not while the player is registered with an academy, whether the contact is direct or indirect. The only exception is where the youth development rules permit it.
What are academy players expected to do?
They are expected to attend regularly and on time, practise what they are taught, try to use it in matches, and keep up their schoolwork. They are also expected to live sensibly, communicate with academy staff, and avoid abusive, violent, bullying or discriminatory behaviour, including online.