Source:REUTERS/Caroline Chia
[Saba Sports News] According to British media reports, the Premier League has introduced new rules requiring top clubs to immediately preserve all relevant documents and information, including WhatsApp messages, upon receiving a notice of alleged rule violations. Additionally, Premier League clubs must inform all officials and players, as well as former officials and players, that they must not delete any information. The new rule W2 states that clubs must “immediately preserve all documents and information (in their current format) that they own or control.” While the specific reasons for the new rules are not explained, they have been included in the new version of the Premier League Handbook, possibly in response to a previous issue. Another new rule requires all arbitrators involved in Premier League cases to “sign a statement of impartiality,” confirming they have no knowledge of anything that could “reasonably raise doubts about their impartiality or independence.” They must also confirm they can dedicate “sufficient time, diligence, and effort” to ensure the arbitration process is swift and efficient. Although the handbook does not specify whether the time requirement applies to particular cases, many clubs have welcomed the changes, especially considering the eight-month-long arbitration ruling on Manchester City’s 130 alleged breaches.