Aston Villa applied to an FA Exceptions Panel for a Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) for a player the club was seeking to register before the end of the January 2016 transfer window.

Certain players are required to obtain a GBE as part of the Home Office work permit application process.

The Exceptions Panel refused the GBE and Aston Villa sought to challenge the decision by way of Rule K Arbitration, alleging, among other things, that the Exceptions Panel misapplied the GBE guidance.

The club sought to set aside the decision at an arbitration which was held on Thursday 28 January 2016.

The appointed independent sole arbitrator found in favour of The FA and dismissed the application.

A copy of the decision (which has been redacted to remove certain sensitive information) can be found here.