How do you regulate the Independent Football Regulator? September 14, 2025 Former director and chairman of AFC Bournemouth, and current global head of sport at Pinsent Masons, Trevor Watkins discusses how to regulate the Independent Football Regulator This year more than any other promises major change for English football off the field rather than on it: the Independent Football Regulator (IFR) is now in the game. [...]
Nandy warns Kogan indecision having real-world consequences September 10, 2025 Culture secretary Lisa Nandy has warned that the limbo over David Kogan’s appointment as head of the Independent Football Regulator is “obviously having real-world consequences”. Media rights expert Kogan was named the preferred candidate for the newly created role of chair of the IFR, after the Football Governance Bill passed through parliament this year. But [...]
Brighton and Hove Albion only Premier League club ready for regulator September 10, 2025 Brighton and Hove Albion are the only club in the Premier League or Championship rated “regulator ready” by a damning new study. The research by lobby group Fair Game paints a dire picture of English football’s finances, suggesting almost half of clubs in the top four leagues are “running on empty”. It comes ahead of [...]
Ex-FA chief Alex Horne: Club game, regulator and football finance September 7, 2025 Since September began the world of football has continued to offer talking point after talking point. The Premier League transfer window closed to bring the curtain down on a summer splurge which topped £3bn for the first time; the Independent Football Regulator published its first piece of official policy ahead of its November detachment from [...]
Independent Football Regulator launches consultation on plans September 4, 2025 The incoming Independent Football Regulator (IFR) plans to have access to banks and law enforcement, as well as the ability to force rogue owners to sell clubs as guidance is published. The IFR published plans for a new Owners, Directors and Senior Executives’ Test, which they say will “raise standards and give powers to take [...]
Ahead of the Game: Fifa eyes Morocco over Spain as 2030 World Cup HQ August 27, 2025 Fifa is in advanced discussions about basing the headquarters of the 2030 World Cup in the Moroccan capital Rabat. The centenary World Cup will be co-hosted by Morocco, Spain and Portugal, with the opening three games to be held in Paraguay, Argentina and Uruguay in a nod to the competition’s roots. The 2026 World Cup [...]
Nandy warns Morecambe and Sheffield change is coming August 6, 2025 Culture secretary Lisa Nandy has insisted “change is coming” for the owners of Morecambe and Sheffield Wednesday amid concerns of the futures of the football clubs. Morecambe’s 105-year history is at risk, with former Worcester Warriors owner Jason Whittingham’s failure to sell the club. Sheffield Wednesday’s players are set to fulfil their opening Championship game [...]
Daniel Levy: Man City verdict taken far too long and multi-club needs controls August 4, 2025 Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy has called for a swift conclusion to Manchester City’s legal battle with the Premier League, saying the process “has gone on for far too long”. Less than two weeks before the start of a new top-flight season, more than 100 charges that City breached financial rules remain unresolved, despite an [...]
Is director training the answer to football’s governance woes? July 31, 2025 A new study suggests reforming football governance by testing and training directors. But is the regulator capable, asks Ed Warner? Countless millions follow professional football in England, claiming allegiance to a favourite club whose fortunes are entwined daily with each individual’s emotions, their highs and lows in seemingly unavoidable synchronicity. Turns out these essential forces [...]
Football clubs suffering from too few directors, report warns July 30, 2025 All professional football clubs in England should be mandated to have at least three directors to prevent governance failings that threaten their existence, a new report warns today. The report, by LCP’s Sports Analytics and Advisory practice and governance specialists LawDeb, highlights worryingly small boards at many clubs in the top five divisions. Fourteen clubs [...]