Premier League academies are placed into one of four categories. A club applies for the category it wants, an independent auditor assesses whether it can meet that category's rules, and the professional game board of The Football Association decides whether to grant the academy licence.
The four-category system
Every academy sits in one of four categories under the youth development rules. The category is tied to the academy licence the club applies for, so the process starts with the club choosing which level it is seeking.
The category is not awarded by a single body acting alone. Assessment and decision are split between an independent standards organisation and the professional game board.
Who does what
Here is the division of responsibility in the academy licence process.
| Step | Who |
|---|---|
| Assessing whether the club can meet the rules for the category | An independent standards organisation |
| Receiving the club's response and finalising the report | The same organisation |
| Deciding whether to grant the licence | The professional game board |
| Auditing again during the term of the licence | The independent standards organisation |
| Deciding whether the licence continues | The professional game board |
The independent standards organisation handles the audit work and completes the report. The professional game board, a committee of the board of directors of The Football Association, takes the formal decision on the licence.
What the auditor is actually deciding
The audit is about capability against the category applied for. The question is whether the club is, on the face of it, capable of meeting the safe to operate rules and the compliance rules for that category.
If the auditor finds that the club is not capable, the club may ask for a meeting with the auditor and the league to discuss the report. It may also respond in writing.
After that, the auditor finalises the report, sends the club a further copy, and tells the board its recommendation. The club cannot ask for a second meeting.
What happens after the decision
If the licence is granted, it runs for a fixed period. During that term, the club is audited again, and that later audit is used by the board when it decides whether the club keeps the licence or receives another one.
If the licence is refused, the club cannot apply again until the following season unless the board allows it. The board may also attach conditions to a fresh application, including a requirement that the club pays the cost of it.
A club may also apply to move its academy up a category for the next season.
FAQ
What are the Premier League academy categories?
There are four categories in the system. Every academy is assigned to one of those four levels.
Who decides a Premier League academy category?
The independent standards organisation carries out the assessment for the category the club has applied for. The professional game board then decides whether to grant the licence that goes with that category.
Can a club upgrade its academy category?
Yes. A club may apply to move its academy up a category for the next season.
What happens if an academy licence is refused?
The club must usually wait until the following season before applying again. The board can allow an earlier attempt and can attach conditions to the new application, including payment of the cost.