A Premier League ground must provide accommodation capable of being used as a drug-testing room, close to the players’ and match officials’ dressing rooms and inaccessible to the public and media. It must also protect the visiting team coach area, key entrances and parking zones, with stewarding or policing in place.
What the home club must arrange
Here is what the home club must put in place.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Drug-testing room | Near the dressing rooms, closed to public and media |
| Visiting team coach | Parks next to the players’ entrance |
| Barriers | Between the coach and the players’ entrance |
| Visiting officials and directors | Parking for at least six vehicles |
| Match officials | A separate parking area, and controlled dressing room access |
What the drug-testing room requirement means
The ground needs more than a room in name. The space has to be capable of being used for drug testing, placed near the dressing rooms used by players and match officials, and kept out of reach of the public and the media.
The point here is the room’s location and access conditions. It forms part of the ground’s basic matchday operations setup.
Coach, parking and arrival security
The visiting team coach has to park next to the players’ entrance. Barriers must then protect the route between the coach and that entrance so members of the public cannot get into that area.
Parking also has to be arranged for visiting officials and directors, with their own area near their point of entry to the stadium. Match officials need a separate parking area of their own, again close to their point of entry to the stadium.
Which areas must be policed or stewarded
The players’ entrance, the parking areas and the relevant points of entry all need adequate policing or stewarding. The purpose is safe entry and exit before and after the match for players, visiting officials and directors.
Access to the match officials’ dressing room must also be controlled. These duties protect club players, directors and officials, the match officials, and representatives of broadcasters and league contractors.
FAQ
Do Premier League grounds need a drug-testing room?
They need accommodation capable of being used as a drug-testing room. It also has to be near the relevant dressing rooms and kept inaccessible to the public and media.
Where does the away team coach park at a Premier League ground?
It parks next to the players’ entrance. The area between the coach and that entrance must be screened by barriers so the public cannot enter it.
What security does a Premier League club have to provide on matchday?
It has to police or steward the players’ entrance, the parking areas and the relevant entry points. Controlled access is also required for the match officials’ dressing room.
Is there dedicated parking for visiting officials?
Yes. The home club must provide parking for at least six vehicles for the visiting club’s officials and directors, close to their point of entry to the stadium.