Why are Embargoes now being reported?
In the interests of transparency and in line with the principles of good governance, in June 2021 EFL Clubs approved an amendment to the Regulations to allow the EFL to publish a list of those Clubs under Registration Embargoes on EFL.com.
The Regulation change was carried following a vote of EFL Clubs, of which a majority of Clubs, including a majority of Championship Clubs, were required to vote in favour of the Regulation change.
What will the EFL report?
On the dedicated Embargo Reporting page on EFL.com, Clubs under embargo will be detailed, along with the reason for their embargo. i.e. the Regulation the Club has failed to comply with.
Once placed under a registration embargo, Clubs have two Business Days to secure the removal of the Embargo before the Club’s name and reason for Embargo is published on the Embargo Reporting Service.
What is the purpose of an Embargo?
Embargoes are intended to operate as a deterrent against Clubs defaulting on financial obligations to clubs or players, and/or breaching other key relevant regulations e.g. reporting on financial matters. An embargo prevents a Club from strengthening its team or adding to its playing staff costs until such time as it has met its existing financial obligations and/or the Club has rectified the relevant breach of EFL regulation(s).
Under what circumstances can a Club operating under an Embargo sign players?
During a Transfer Window
Clubs can ‘staff up’, so they have 23 players of Professional Standing within their squad.
Clubs are able to ‘staff up’ to ensure the integrity of the competitions remain and so that Clubs are able to fulfil their fixtures.
Outside of a Transfer Window
Professional Goalkeeper = a goalkeeper (excluding any Goalkeeper registered as a Non-Contract Player) who has been named in the starting eleven on five or more occasions by:
Professional Standing = is any Player who has made one first team appearance (including as a sub) for any Club in any first team competition (EFL Trophy appearances do not count).
If a Club is under Embargo and has 23 players of Professional Standing, can they acquire new players?
Can Clubs register their academy players if the Club is under Embargo?
Can Clubs offer new contracts to players whilst under Embargo?
In relation to Profit & Sustainability rule breaches, under what circumstances would a Championship Club operate under an Embargo?
A Club is under Embargo in relation to a Profit & Sustainability rule breach, is there any circumstances under which that Club can register players?
Each individual case will be determined by the EFL, though considerations will be given in the circumstances of:
Established Player (Championship Clubs) - A player aged 21 or over as at the 30 June immediately prior to the commencement of the season in which the Club is subject to the Embargo and who has been named in the starting XI on a total of at least five occasions*.
*in EFL League, EFL Cup, EFL Trophy, FA Cup or equivalent competitions for any Club in any equivalent League to the Championship or higher.
How is the number of players these Clubs can acquire managed?