League's new directors ban

People convicted of serious offences are banned from becoming directors of Football League clubs, under new rules announced today.

The League became the first footballing body to introduce the Fit and Proper Persons Test last year, and agreed to extend those guidelines at a meeting of the 72 clubs today.

Under the new criteria people who are on the Sex Offenders register, anyone who has been given a custodial sentence of 12 months or more, and people who have been disqualified from acting by a professional body, will be prevented from becoming board members.

Football League chairman Sir Brian Mawhinney said: "Our clubs continue to set the pace in delivering higher standards of governance in our sport.

"These unanimously approved measures reinforce our commitment to ensuring that only persons of a fit and proper nature can serve as directors of League clubs.

"Our supporters want the highest standards of leadership and that is what we are trying to give them."