Football League clubs adopt 'home-grown' rule

England's Football League clubs have agreed new rules on the number of "home-grown" players in their squads.

From next season, clubs will have to name 10 "home-grown" players in a squad restricted to 25 players aged over 21.

To qualify, players must be registered in domestic football for three seasons before turning 21.

However, a proposal by Leyton Orient to relegate clubs two divisions for going into administration was rejected at the League's Annual General Meeting.

But following the meeting of the 72 clubs in Malta, League chiefs will review the punishments for administration to see if they need toughening up.

606: DEBATE This year's summer transfer window has certainly become more interesting after this decision akacastleblue

Other rule changes include clubs, who will be able to include as many players under the age of 21 in their squads as they like, being hit with a transfer embargo if they do not file their financial accounts at Companies House in time.

The League's fit and proper persons' test has also been retitled the "Director's Test" to fall in line with the other football bodies.

And a loophole has been closed so that clubs that go into administration are hit with sporting sanctions even when the club is part of a group company.

Football League chairman Greg Clarke said: "This has been a positive and constructive meeting at which we've looked at many of the important issues currently facing football and taken steps to address a number of the most pressing governance concerns."