A Premier League disciplinary case begins with a written complaint drafted by or for the board and emailed to the respondent and the chair of the judicial panel.
How the case begins
The two sides before a commission are the board and the respondent. The respondent is the club, manager, match official, official or player alleged to have breached the rules.
The proceedings start with the complaint itself. It must be in writing, and it must be drafted by the board or by someone acting on its behalf.
What the complaint must contain
The complaint has a fixed form requirement. It must be in Form 19.
It must identify the rules said to have been breached, summarise the facts alleged, and include copies of any documents the board intends to rely on. That means the complaint does more than announce a charge: it sets out the rule basis, the factual outline and the documents attached for the board's case.
From complaint to a seated commission: who does what, and when
These are the key steps.
| Step | Who acts | When |
|---|---|---|
| Written complaint drafted in Form 19 | the board, or someone acting on its behalf | this is what commences the proceedings |
| Complaint emailed to the respondent and the chair of the judicial panel | the board | sent before 16:30, so it counts as received that day |
| Complaint counts as received a day later instead | the respondent | whenever the email goes out after 16:30 |
| Identities of the commission members confirmed and statements of impartiality required | the chair of the judicial panel | once the commission has been appointed |
| Objection to an appointment raised, for the chair to resolve | a party to the proceedings | within two working days of that appointment |
Service, receipt and the chair's role
The board serves the complaint by email on the respondent and on the chair of the judicial panel. Where the respondent is a manager, an official or a player, service is effected care of that person's club.
Timing matters. An email sent before 16:30 counts as received by the respondent on the same day, while an email sent after 16:30 counts as received on the following working day.
A defect in service does not invalidate the proceedings, or any part of them, if it can be shown that the complaint likely came to the respondent's attention. Before the commission has been appointed, the chair of the judicial panel manages the conduct of the case and may give any directions needed for an efficient and expeditious resolution, whether or not the parties have agreed to them.
After appointment, the chair confirms the identities of the commission members to the board and the respondent. The chair also requires each appointed member to complete a statement of impartiality in the form the chair prescribes.
FAQ
Does a disciplinary case have to start with a written complaint?
Yes. The written complaint is the step that commences the proceedings. It also has to be put into Form 19, so an informal message is not enough.
Is it enough for the complaint to name the rules breached?
No. As well as identifying the rules allegedly breached, the complaint must summarise the facts alleged. It also has to include copies of any documents the board intends to rely on.
When is the complaint treated as received?
The key point is the time the email is sent. Before 16:30, it counts as received that same day; after 16:30, it counts as received on the following working day.
Can a club object to who has been appointed to the commission?
Yes, and the same applies to any party to the proceedings. The objection must be raised within two working days of the appointment, and the chair of the judicial panel decides how to deal with it.
Who controls the case before the commission is appointed?
The chair of the judicial panel does. That includes giving directions needed to move the case forward efficiently and expeditiously, even if the parties have not agreed on those directions.