The Premier League Owners’ and Directors’ Test is the rule that sets out what would stop someone becoming a club owner or director. It applies to prospective owners and directors, and they are then reviewed on a seasonal basis.
What the test covers
The test is about disqualifying conditions, not a general judgment on business quality. If a person falls within one of those conditions, that person is barred from becoming an owner or a director of a club.
The disqualifying grounds include criminal convictions for a wide range of offences, a ban by a sporting or professional body, and breaches of certain key football regulations, such as match-fixing. The handbook gives this subject its own rules section and deals with the disqualifying events behind the test.
The test at a glance
Here are the core points of the test.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What it does | Sets out what would stop someone owning or directing a club |
| Who it applies to | Prospective owners and directors |
| How often it is reviewed | On a seasonal basis |
| Where the criteria are | Section F of the Premier League Handbook |
Who it applies to
It applies to people who are prospective owners or prospective directors.
It also does not end after the first check. Once within that framework, those individuals remain subject to review on a seasonal basis.
Where the rules sit
The full criteria are in Section F of the Premier League Handbook.
The disqualifying events and the people who must be checked sit together in that same section of the rules.
FAQ
Is this the same as the football “fit and proper persons” test?
In Premier League use, that phrase is commonly used to refer to the Owners’ and Directors’ Test. The substance is the same idea: certain events or sanctions can stop a person from becoming an owner or director.
Who has to pass the Premier League owners test?
Prospective owners and prospective directors are the people covered by it. The test is tied to those roles, rather than to everyone connected with a club.
How long does the test take?
The test applies to prospective owners and directors, covers the grounds for disqualification and is followed by a review on a seasonal basis. No standard completion time is fixed.