The Premier League has issued sanctions against Brentford FC after the club admitted to breaching substitution rules during an Under-21 Professional Development League (PDL) match earlier this season.
The incident occurred in an August 2025 fixture against Hull City, where Brentford made four separate substitution windows, one more than permitted under PDL regulations, which mirror IFAB’s Laws of the Game. Teams are allowed up to five substitutions but must make them within a maximum of three opportunities excluding half-time.
Brentford acknowledged that the additional substitution window was non-compliant and had a “direct sporting impact” on the match, prompting Premier League action.
As part of the sanction agreement, Brentford’s U21 side will be docked three points immediately in the 2025/26 PDL campaign. The club has also received a £5,000 fine, which will remain suspended.
The Premier League stated that the club accepted responsibility for the breach, bringing the matter to a close through the agreed sanctions.